Metastatic breast cancer

[viennagirl]

I have been diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer but right now my scans are NED. I have taken 51 doses of hormone related drugs. I also have osteoporos which is related to the cancer. I would like to know if it is safe to take collagen while I am on Ibrance and Letrozole .

[SpongebobMom]

I don't see why not...collagen is a simple protein. makes up for something like 30% of your body. Obviously check with your dr. look for a brand that is free of additives & it tested for not-so-good things like lead.

[Kateds]

I would check with my onc first. Collagen is the matrix they use in labs to grow the breast cancer , so it might not be a great idea.

[TammyCross]

Great you are NEAD. I have been twice.

I did a lot of research into collagen, because the anastrozole I am on causes muscle pain (I had called it joint, but palliative np said it was muscles) and I thought it was because the anastrozole dries up synovial fluid. Turns out that anything that helps synovial fluid and collagen grow also helps cancer grow. I was so disappointed. The one thing we (including my oncologist) were not sure about was infra-red light. Might help, might hurt, so my onc said not until there is more research, specifically on breast cancer patients. (It helps collagen; used in salons and spas for wrinkles.)

[Lavern2 in reply to TammyCross]

Hello. I hope collagen doesn't cause problems. I have been on Letrozole for a little over a year. But where I had dugert and radiation that place gets sore still. I have lympphedma and I wear a compression sleeve some days. But I started taking collagen to see if my joints would stop aching .can't tell if it is helping or not. Prayers for all on this journey of healing.

[TammyCross in reply to Lavern2]

Well, look it up. I did a lot of research when I found these products that help with joints by supplying collagen and promoting synovial fluid. The only one that was not confirmed to be bad for us was infra-red light, and even then my oncologist said we don't know enough about the effects on mbc. One study with 17 people.

If it is not clearly helping, then I wouldn't.

[bubblystream]

not sure. I don’t take anything with estrogen in it. Not sure what collagen contains.

[TammyCross in reply to bubblystream]

Collagen contains collagen. It is used to compensate for aging, things like skin and joints that are affected by loss of estrogen after menopause.

[viennagirl in reply to TammyCross]

Thank you ladies. I will ask my doctor if I can take collagen. I have a breast cancer classed as HER2/neu. I guess the neu must mean negative. I take the hormone drugs Ibrance (palbociclib) and Letrozole. My dose is 75 now. I also have a wave mat and frequently lie on it. It gives off some kind of infra red rays. I believe it has really helped me. Because I have been NED for about two years now. I would like to take collagen but I am worried about the lack of good advice on this subject. My daughter who is now a senior has been taking it for 3 months and her skin and hair look absolutely beautiful. So, of course, I am now curious as to whether it would also help my hair that is so lifeless and dry. I am happy to be doing so well and don't want to damage the progress I am making. Thank you again. I will report back to you when I get my Oncologist's advice. Hugs Marlene

[hurricaneheather]

beef bone broth contains collagen.