Ibrance and letrozole and herbs and spices

[TE53_67]

Hi a few years ago there was a question about what patients are taking as complementary medicine along with Ibrance and Letrozole. I wondered if anyone takes tumeric - powder form and ashwangha - powder form on a daily basis ?

[Dflur]

Hi, I always ask my specialty pharmacist before adding a supplement to my Ibrance and anastrozole. I’ve been diagnosed since August 2019, I read everything I can find, never read anything negative about Tumeric vs cancer .I take the essential oil DōTERRA‘a turmeric.

[Gibby21]

CURCUMIN (Turmeric)Curcumin has some estrogenic properties and should be avoided in breast cancer patients. Curcumin has shown to decrease platelet function, so it should be avoided by those on blood-thinning therapies.

rogelcancercenter.org › ...

I had a friend recommend turmeric for me as well and after some research this is what I discovered and have not taken it but it is something you should discuss with your oncologist any supplement I discuss with my oncologist before I take it lots of things act estrogen-ish in our bodies, or react differently for cancer patients.

[LDR1 in reply to Gibby21]

Wow, thanks for this info, I was not aware of this - have been taking daily curcumin supplements this whole time due to the ant-inflammatory properties and my oncologist never raised any concern. Will research it more. I think I need to find an integrative oncologist who has more expertise in complementary therapies…

[atoth17]

Hi, I take herbal supplements but only under the direction of a Naturopath who specializes in Oncology (Integrative Oncologist). I am on Ibrance and Exemestane and she keeps a close eye on all my lab work, she works in tandem with my Oncologist. I can’t say 100% that anything works but I’m stable and that is good enough for me.

[TE53_67]

Thanks for your reply - can I ask what you take ? Tx

[wendle3007]

Hi I asked the senior nurse on my chemo ward about taking something to help with the aches caused by the letrozole. She recommended turmeric to me but told me to read up on it as there are lots of different types and dosages. I eventually found one which has turmeric, ginger and black pepper and that's all (apart from the celluose used to make the capsule). I read up on all the contra-indications and was unable to find anything that said I couldn't take it and I have mentioned it a few times to oncologist without any comment back.

[Laskia]

I asked my oncologist if I was ok taking turmeric for my aching knees. He was sceptical of it having any effect, but did not say I could not take it. I'm ER+PR+HR-