Sorry if this has already been a thread before but I’m finding it really difficult to get any accurate information.
The internet tells me that lavender oil is oestrogenic and so is aloe vera, so I think that being ER + (6/8) I should avoid products with either of them in. But then people say use aloe vera whan having RADs. Am I being thick? If I’m on Tamoxifen to reduce oestrogen, surely I shouldn’t be rubbing aloe vera into my breast?
Also I’ve read that some foodstuffs contain oestrogen, including soya and pomegranates. Should I avoid foods containing soya and pomegrante juice?
I’m not a scientist and just wish somebody would produce a simple guide, saying if your cancer was ER + avoid this, this and this.
Thanks in anticipation of advice.
Hi Nottsgirl
Thanks for posting this question. i would also like these answers. perhaps someone will be along soon to give us there opinion on it.
Maria x
It’s a difficult one and very confusing. From what I can see there is no clear and definitive answer to this one.
The things you’re asking about are phyto oestrogens (basically plant oestrogens). They are found in a huge range of things we eat so would be impossible to entirely avoid. There is research currently being carried out by the Foods Standards Agency:
food.gov.uk/science/research/foodcomponentsresearch/phytoestrogensresearch/t05-t06programme/
As you’ll see from the above, they say that:
‘Phytoestrogens occur naturally in a wide variety of edible plants including soya. The chemical structure of the phytoestrogens closely resembles that of the human sex hormone oestradiol and, as a result, they can mimic or block the action of the human hormone although they are generally much less potent.’
With regard to tamoxifen, it doesn’t actually reduce the amount of oestrogen in the body. This is an article from the Mayo Clinic on their research into how tamoxifen works if you want to know more:
mayoclinic.org/news2008-rst/5118.html
I have had conflicting advice from health professionals about phytooestrogens. One oncologist told me that while I was tamoxifen I could work my way through the shelves of Holland and Barratt to find anything that helped with hot flushes. My breast care nurse told me to avoid all of those things.
Others may be able to enlighten us all further! Elinda x
Re your last point Elinda, my onc also said that I could take menopace for hot flushes while I am on tamoxifen but not after. She said not to tell the pharmacists when buying it as they would say I shouldn’t have it. She said that the tamoxifen would deal with any oestrogen from the menopace.
Hi Nottsgal
If you haven’t already seen it, there is a section on phytooestrogens in the Breast Cancer Care complementary therapies booklet breastcancercare.org.uk/upload/pdf/complementary_therapies_aug07_0.pdf (p21)
As the others have mentioned, I’m not sure there’s a straightforward answer, but do feel free to give our helpline a call and they can talk through some of the issues with you - 0808 800 6000.
Best wishes
Leah BCC
I’ve only just seen this thread. Sorry for being so slow. I am just about to start rads and was planning on using aloe vera as lots of people recommend it. Has anyone been told by an onc to avoid it while taking tamoxifen?
Hi MaryGrace
When I had my rads (and I was taking tamoxifen) the Oncologist said to me that it was okay but their research had found it was more drying than aqueous cream. If you’ve not been given an information leaflets from the radiotherapy about what creams to use then give them a quick call.
My rads dept were very specific about what I should use.
OK, so according to the leaflet, NICE does not recommend people who have had BC use red clover, soy based products or vitamin E to reduce menopause symptoms but they don’t say what we can use.