Restarting supplements after lumpectomy

Hello VeraZzz,  Read your post and just to clarify I am not an herbalist or an expert in supplements but it is important to know that the supplement industry is not regulated like the pharmaceutical industry.  
The stress of finding out you have breast cancer and surgery and other treatments to come can be a stress on our immune system but I think it is a bit naive to think supplements can help to boost our immune system above what it normally is.  Unless you are deficient it is of no benefit and can cause issues.  For example a single Brazil nut contains roughly 68 to 91micrograms of selenium which meets or exceeds the RDA for adults.  
My advice is to follow the advice of the BC Nurse and to bring your supplements with you so your breast cancer Doctor can review and advise you on what he feels is appropriate for you.  

Take care and let your body heal up.  Of course eating well, sleeping well and getting some light exercise will help you to feel better too.  Hugs to you.  

Hi VeraZzz 

It’s always a challenge knowing what you can and can’t do during and after treatment. There is always the possibility that supplements will interact with any treatment you are being given, so it’s important to discuss anything you are thinking of taking with your medical team.

I would be very cautious about the idea of taking ivermectin or indeed any repurposed drugs. The following link may be helpful.

https://www.macmillan.org.uk/about-us/latest-news/news-and-stories/cancer-and-ivermectin

There's a more general piece about cancer misinformation and myths here:

https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/worried-about-cancer/cancer-myths-and-misinformation

Macmillan also have some information about food supplements, which mentions that taking these in large quantities is often not 'better' or advised:

https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/treatment/coping-with-treatment/complementary-therapies/diet-and-food-supplements

There's also some detailed information from Cancer Research that might be useful to read.

https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/treatment/complementary-alternative-therapies/individual-therapies/vitamins-diet-supplements

I hope you are recovering well from surgery. 

The one thing that im aware of not too take for hormone positive cancers is Turmeric.  It interferes with the ingredient in the hormone  bocker medication, which  blocks the hormones.  So in effect it renders the medication ineffective.   It's a shame, as turmeric is great for joint stifness-which is a major side effect of  hormone  blockers.

Hello, 
My medical oncologist recommended turmeric and I have hormone positive breast cancer and take Anastrazole.  
Take care.

Hi I would not take ivermectin because I know they say it helps cancer but it has not been proven yet.  I hope that you feel better soon after your lumpectomy.  I found that the exercises really helped.  What treatment are you going to have?

Lee x

Hello, 
I do think there is a place for supplements to help with side effects from Cancer treatments and this is where they may be helpful.  I have made a list of troublesome side effects and have a focused lifestyle and supplement routine.  
I feel very lucky as my medical oncologist is very well versed in what supplements can help with side effects.    
I would not take ivermectin as no studies or research support it.  

Hey Lee, I've heard this all my life too, and I have a very high produce, high fibre diet. In fact a very healthy diet all around, if a bit high in cheese! But honestly I don't think a healthy diet is enough for me. I have some kind of underlying condition that has caused various hormonal/hormone-linked issues over the years. I know that when I started taking pregnancy vitamins, my cycles (ovulation timing specifically) improved noticeably. I've never qualified for under active thyroid treatment, but I think that's part of the mix. Hence I've never taken my healthy diet as being enough. And I do think I got cancer (at such a young age, with no family history etc) because of a mix of deficiencies and having children later in life. I also know that when I'm supplementing with d, zinc, b vitamins, it seems to improve my general sense of health - my slightly sore throat goes away. It does seem to have an impact. 

In any case, the surgeon replied to say it's fine to restart the sups. I'll leave the ivermectin alone for now. I know it can impact the liver and nervous system at high doses. And at this stage when the the surgery done, I may actually be cancer-free! But I'm not ruling it out. Being my age I really want to throw everything at this illness. I look at my 4 year old and get so sad sometimes. I waited so long to finally have my babies, I just can't let them go even in a few years!

Hi, I just take vitamin d for  bone strength/density and glucosamine to help with stiff joints - but had already been taking them for about 10 years prior to my cancer treatment.