Doctors may recommend fulvestrant injections to aid in the treatment of breast cancer, which requires hormones to grow. If you and your doctor determine that fulvestrant may help you, she will administer the injection once a month in her office. Prior to using this medication you should talk to your doctor about the possible side effects associated with fulvestrant use. Tell your physician about other medications you take, as well as supplements such as vitamin C, and together you can determine the best method of treatment.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C has a variety of roles in your body, which include the functioning of your immune system, the formation of collagen and wound healing. The average adult requires between 75 and 90 milligrams of vitamin C each day, but your doctor may recommend a higher or lower intake, depending on your overall health and medication usage. A medium orange provides 70 milligrams of vitamin C, and broccoli contains 39 milligrams per half-cup serving. Other good food sources include peppers, strawberries, tomatoes, spinach and cabbage. Vitamin C is not known to interact with fulvestrant injections.
Possible Nutrient Benefits
Vitamin C may offer some benefits for breast cancer patients. Eating foods rich in vitamin C and a variety of other nutrients could help reduce the chances of breast cancer in premenopausal women. This protective quality may stem from the antioxidant properties of vitamin C, which help protect healthy cells from damage, according to a study published in a 1999 issue of the "Journal of the National Cancer Institute."
Instead of using medications such as fulvestrant, naturopathic doctors and clinics may recommend using vitamin C or other nutrients as a method of treatment for breast cancer. You should not use nutrients or other therapies without first consulting your doctor, since vitamin C could interact with some types of chemotherapy or other medications and treatments.
Side Effects
Prior to starting fulvestrant therapy, talk with your doctor about the possible side effects. You may experience upset stomach, headache, sore throat or loss of appetite. This medication may also cause difficulty sleeping, depression, nervousness or unexplained pain. In some cases, fulvestrant can result in a rash, chest pain or difficulty breathing.
Also discuss the potential side effects of vitamin C usage with your doctor. In high dosages, vitamin C could result in upset stomach and abdominal pain. Over time, a high vitamin C intake may affect vitamin B-12 and other nutrient levels in your system.
Considerations
Taking vitamin C is not an alternative to medically ordered treatment with fulvestrant or other breast cancer therapies. You and your doctor can consider the risks and benefits to determine if one or both may help your condition. You should not begin using vitamin C without first consulting your doctor, and if you take vitamin C supplements, inform your doctor before beginning any medication or treatment.
References
- MedlinePlus: Fulvestrant Injection
- Drugs.com: Fulvestrant
- National Institutes of Health: Office of Dietary Supplements: Vitamin C
- Journal of the National Cancer Institute; Dietary Carotenoids and Vitamins A, C, and E and Risk of Breast Cancer; S. Zhang et al.
- PubMed Health: Breast Cancer
- Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine; Complementary and Alternative Medical Treatment of Breast Cancer: A Survey of Licensed North American Naturopathic Physicians; L.J. Standish et al.
- Puerto Rico Health Sciences Journal; Intravenous Vitamin C as a Chemotherapy Agent: A Report on Clinical Cases; H.D. Riordan et al.
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