The Best Supplements For Breast Cancer Patients

More than 192,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer every year, according to the National Cancer Institute. Risk factors for the disease include advancing age, family history and mutations in certain genes. Surgery, radiation, hormone therapy and chemotherapy are among the available treatment options. Certain supplements may also be useful for breast cancer patients, but none have definitively been found to alter the course of the disease. Breast cancer patients should use supplements only under the supervision of a qualified health professional.

Turmeric

The active ingredient of turmeric, curcumin, has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Some scientists believe that it may prevent and inhibit cancers of the intestines, mouth, stomach and breast, according to the American Cancer Society. Preliminary research has demonstrated its ability to kill cancer cells in the laboratory setting. Long used in Chinese, Indian and Indonesian herbal remedies, turmeric is also a culinary spice responsible for the yellow color of many curry dishes. The studies on this herb are still preliminary, and further clinical trials are needed to determine its place in the treatment of breast cancer. Taking large quantities of turmeric can result in gastrointestinal upset.

Melatonin

Melatonin is often touted as a supplement that helps promote restful sleep, but it may also be beneficial for people with breast cancer. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, women with breast cancer have lower levels of melatonin, a condition that promotes the growth of certain cancer cells. When melatonin was added to cancer cells in a laboratory experiment, the growth of the cells slowed. Studies of melatonin on patients with breast cancer have been few but encouraging. One study found that melatonin, when given before the start of chemotherapy, prevented the decline of blood platelets, a complication that can cause bleeding. Another study found that melatonin, when used in combination with the breast cancer medicine tamoxifen, caused tumors to shrink more than tamoxifen alone did. Breast cancer patients should consult their physicians before taking melatonin or any other supplement.

Vitamin E

In the book "Prescriptions for Nutritional Healing," author Phyllis Balch recommends that women with breast cancer take vitamin E. Balch states that vitamin E supports hormone production and immune function, and that it may prevent free-radical damage in fatty breast cells. According to Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, vitamin E may also help reduce hot flashes in women who have had breast cancer. Although true vitamin E deficiencies are rare, many people do not get enough through dietary sources. Consult your physician before adding vitamin E to your regimen.