Supplements for HRT

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I've just finished chemotherapy for a hormone fed breast cancer, and due to start Radiotherapy and Tamoxifen next Thursday.

I had a lumpectomy, and a shaving - as didn’t have a clear margin, and full node clearance (had cancer in 2 lymph nodes)

I stopped HRT back in November but all my symptoms are returning and will get worse I suppose once I’ve start the Tamoxifen.

What supplements are safe to take?

I used to take Magnesium, Turmeric, Ashwagandha, Lions Mane and Collagen.

I haven’t taken any since my diagnosis and won’t until at least 6months post all treatment, but I’m struggling to find out what I can take.

My breast nurses/Oncologists aren’t sure with regards to Ashwagandha and Lions Mane and was after your opinion?

Really appreciate any advice

xxx

Sharon - Macmillan 5 days ago

Hi New Journey,

I am Sharon, one of the nurses on the Macmillan Cancer Support Line.

I’m glad you have joined a couple of the forums here on the Online Communities. I hope you are finding them helpful and supportive.

We are unable to advise what individual supplements are appropriate for you as we don’t have access to your medical history, but we can give you general information that may help you to find the answers you are looking for.

You did the right thing contacting your hospital team to ask about the supplements you would like to take. They are best placed to answer any questions about what supplements are appropriate, as they know your treatment plan and what medication you are taking. Some supplements may interact with medication you are on, so they may not all be safe.

If your hospital team are unsure with regards to Ashwagandha and Lion’s Mane, they can seek advice from or refer you to a specialist centre.

There are two hospitals in the UK that specialise in ‘integrated’ medicine; The Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medicine in Great Ormond Street, London and the NHS Centre for Integrative Care in Glasgow.

The Royal London also has an integrated Pharmacy service run by pharmacists who specialise in complementary medicines that can give advice to the general public.

Complementary therapies can sometimes help, some of which are available on the NHS. You may find our information on complementary therapy and supplements for people with menopausal symptoms useful.

You can also find general information about supplements on the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center website, the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health and the Health and Food Supplements Information Service.

The information on these websites is all based on evidence, but obviously you would need to check with your team before starting on any new supplements.

I hope you find this information useful. Please feel free to give us a ring if you want to talk things through with someone.

Take care

Sharon, Clinical Information Nurse Specialist

Ref;SA/JH

NewJourney 5 days ago in reply to Sharon - Macmillan

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply, I’ll go back to my breast care team and see if they can refer me

much appreciated x

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Supplements for HRT