After non-melanoma skin cancers, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women and the leading cause of cancer deaths among all women, reports the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Improving outcomes such as preventing the spread of cancer, preventing deaths and improving quality of life in breast cancer is ongoing in research. Controversy surrounding medications and supplements is ongoing, but coQ10 is showing promise and provides a complementary approach to treatment. Research studies are promising and growing in number and strength regarding potential benefits of coQ10 for breast cancer.
Cancer Recurrence
Rates of cancer recurrence have shown decline with the use of coQ10 supplementation. A study in the February 2007 journal "Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin" suggested that using 100 mg of coQ10 with niacin and riboflavin decreased cancer recurrence for breast cancer patients. Tumor markers showed decline even after a year following supplementation of coQ10. Some participants in a 1994 study in "Molecular Aspects of Medicine" supplemented with 90 mg of coQ10 plus additional antioxidants saw a partial remission of their cancer.
Spread of Cancer
Metastases or the spreading cancer is what speeds the dying process of breast cancer. Slowing or halting cancer from spreading improves prognosis. The spread of cancer is decreased with coQ10 supplemenation in some studies. The "Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin" reported a reduction in the spread of cancer with a daily 100 mg supplement. Another study in the 1994 journal "Molecular Aspects of Medicine" also found no further spread of cancer after daily 90 mg of coQ10 and other antioxidants.
Quality of Life
Quality of life improved in patients with breast cancer with supplementation of coQ10. This was found in a study 1994 study in journal "Molecular Aspects of Medicine." The breast cancer patients supplemented with 90 mg of coQ10 daily, found many improved parameters including quality of life measured in terms of a reduced need for pain killers and not losing weight, which is a concern for patients undergoing cancer treatment.
CoQ10 in Food and Supplements
CoQ10 is found in oily fish, organ meats and whole grains. Obtaining adequate amounts of coQ10 from diet sources can be challenging especially in the case of breast cancer patients who may not have great appetites to begin with. However, breast cancer patients are likely low in coQ10 as a result of coQ10 being used by the body to protect healthy cells from damage from cancer cells. Before taking coQ10 or any supplement, patients should discuss it with their physicians.
References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Breast Cancer Statistics
- "Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin"; Effect of Coenzyme Q10 , Ribo?avin and Niacin on Serum CEA and CA 15-3 Levels in Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Tamoxifen Therapy; Vummidi Giridhar Premkumar, et al.; 2007
- Pubmed.gov: "Molecular Aspects of Medicine"; K. Lockwood, et al.; 1994
