B12 and breast cancer

[Moggy1234]

Any thoughts or ideas on whether more frequent B12 injections help those with breast cancer?

[Gambit62 Administrator]

Plea.se discuss with your oncologist.There are lots of different types of chemotherapy and at least one can interfere with the operation of B12 but the same may also be true.

The chances are that having higher levels of B12 may make any tumour larger - B12 is used in regulating the production of new cells but if you already have cancerous cells they are also going to be helped to reproduce as well as healthy cells. It can't change a cancerous cell into a healthy cell.

[Moggy1234 in reply to Gambit62]

Thanks Gambit 62. So far not met with the oncologist nor am I on any drugs.

One other question you may be able to answer. I understand anaesthetics given to B12 compromised patients causes homocysteine to rise, due to nitrous oxide, do you know if there are any rules that suggest such patients should do B12 injections and/or loading doses after surgery?

[Gambit62 Administrator in reply to Moggy1234]

the anaesthetic to avoid is nitrous oxide - laughing gas as this deactivates B12.Other anaesthetics should be okay. I don't think there are any standards around providing loading doses after surgery to patients with B12 absorption problems but if you can get them done if nitrous oxide is the only option (unlikely) then that would be good.

[Moggy1234 in reply to Gambit62]

Thanks Gambit62 I will certainly mention it to the anaesthetist and I did mention it at my pre-assessment. My GP is ok with me SI a loading dose if necessary.

[Hidden in reply to Moggy1234]

I had operation on my back, b12 deficient and anaethetist was aware and avoided nitrous oxide.My niece also had stage 4 breast cancer last year and back at work now. Just to reassure you.

All I can do is wish you a happy Xmas and all the best with your treatment. As long as doctors know the situation you will be fine.

[Gen89]

You have to be very careful about taking any supplements on chemotherapy. Just reinforcing what Gambit has said. Check everything with your oncologist even vitamin tablets. Good luck with your treatment.

[Moggy1234 in reply to Gen89]

Thanks Gen89 for your good wishes. At present I am waiting to have surgery and they say it has been caught early. Good to have the 'heads-up' for when I do speak to an oncologist.

[Gen89]

That’s great they have caught your cancer early. Having been there myself I know what a shock it is and how daunting it can feel. And covid can’t be making the situation any easier for you. I didn’t have b12 deficiency at the time of my surgery so I don’t know what they would advise about that in terms of depletion by the nitrous oxide but don’t do anything without the ok from the oncologist. I found it easier to cope with once I had a treatment plan and just took one step at a time. I really hope everything goes well for you.

[Moggy1234 in reply to Gen89]

Thanks Gen89 good to talk to someone who knows what it's like!

Yes, what a shock and daunting. I am sure it is in part down to stress as the last 30 years have been stressful to say the least. I have been on B12 injections for PA for almost that amount of time. I now have estrogen/progesterone positive cancer although I don't think there is any connection between PA and the cancer it's more likely down to not having children and early/late finishing periods. Lack of exercise over the Covid years may well have played a part or just plain unlucky.

I hope you are now free of the C word!

Thanks again.

[Gen89]

No, as far as I am aware,I don’t think there is any connection between PA and breast cancer. Fingers crossed I am C free and life does return to normal but just a different normal. It may feel a long way away but you will get to the end of your treatment. Don’t blame yourself for not exercising. People who are stick thin and exercise daily get breast cancer. Take care.

[Choox]

Hi Moggy, sorry to hear you are going through this & I wish you well with your ongoing treatment.

I was diagnosed with ER bc in September, had a wide excision & sentinel node biopsy (nodes clear) in October. My cancer was very small, caught early via routine mammogram, & I'm recovering well.

From diagnosis to op was just a month for me and I didn't know if I was coming or going....still feel a bit that way.

My GP gave me my regular monthly b12 injection 2 days before my op & I have continued to self inject weekly. I had no chemo or radiotherapy and was put straight onto hormone treatment, Letrozole. I asked my oncologist re b12, folate etc & he said this was not a problem.

A handy hint....(wish someone had told me this!) prepare some meals for the freezer ahead of your op... plenty nourishing soup & stews are good. I'm right handed & my cancer was right side so cooking was difficult and my husband's culinary skill is toast! 🙈

All the very best x

[Moggy1234 in reply to Choox]

Thanks Choox so much for your post, good wishes and all the info. Mine was caught early at a mammogram too and I'm praying that it hasn't progressed.

I can certainly relate to not knowing if I am coming or going. As Gen89 said you have to get used to the new normal.

Good to hear that you had a B12 inj 2 days before your op as that was what was suggested to me. I have been reading some medical papers online about the affects of nitrous oxide (in anaesthetics) in relation to B12 and good to know you have been SI weekly.

How are you doing on the hormone treatment? I hope you don't mind my asking but, have you had any of the side effects they mention with this sort of treatment? I've been looking at foods that affect hormones, as we drink a lot of bottled water and use it for herbal teas and, it seems the plastic can leak into the water and affect hormones.

Thanks for the handy hint about soup and stews. I am very lucky that my other half is good in the kitchen - it's in his DNA - so over the years I've been pushed out of the kitchen - too many cooks and all that but I will give him his orders !!!

Thanks again for getting in touch - it has been good to have advice from others that have gone through this and also from Gambit62.

Very best wishes x

[Choox]

A husband who cooks....bliss!

I swithered about hormone treatment as my percentages were good but in the end decided to give it a go. I'm 7 weeks in on Letrozole (Femara brand) and doing fine so far apart from a bit of insomnia has kicked in in the last couple of weeks, which I'm hoping will pass, and my mood is a little up and down but that could be with everything that's been going on.

I'm 68, well post menopausal so I'm more concerned re bone health, however I've good vitamin D levels, been on a D protocol for a couple of years, so be interesting to see what transpires at my DXA scan in a few months.

I am now also on an anti inflammatory diet, my diet was pretty healthy before but I've cut out fat & sugar & am following the Mediterranean diet...olive oil is amazingly healthy stuff!!

I was given a book recommendation by my medical herbalist, 'Anti cancer, a new way of life', written by Dr. David Servan-Schreiber, who developed cancer himself and researched the good and bad in foods. I found the info in it really good and it's helped me to put together a simple, anti inflammatory, plan. I got the book secondhand online.

It's an overwhelming journey none of us want to be on but I've been treated brilliantly by the good old NHS, can't fault the care & support.

xx

[Moggy1234 in reply to Choox]

Thanks Choox for all your helpful advice - apologies I didn't get back to thank you before - so much going on.

Certainly sounds a good idea the anti inflammatory diet - I've recently given up the naughty biscuit with a cuppa and I'm leaving other sweet foods out of my diet now too.

I also love olive oil, even by the spoonful, but I've read on line it can promote the formation of estrogen which is a no-no for me now. I've also been reading about broccoli sprouts and various mushroom powders which also makes interesting reading.

A big learning curve.

All the very best to you on your journey. xx

[Choox in reply to Moggy1234]

A big learning curve indeed! Have a lovely Christmas x

[Moggy1234 in reply to Choox]

Hope you too have a lovely Christmas and a Happy, Healthy New Year too x