Hi Valerie
Thank you for posting.
It’s natural to have concerns when you read press reports, but we are unsure what the source of this information is after searching the WHO website for more information.
Many people ask about vitamin and herb supplements such as Aloe Vera as they want to do as much as possible to be healthy. There is often the belief that vitamins and herbs are safe as they are considered natural but there is much we don’t know about supplements and herbal remedies. Herbal treatments don’t have to comply with the same regulations or rigorous testing that conventional medicines do and for many products there is a lack of research to support their use.
It is difficult to answer your specific concern regarding the vaginal moisturiser you use. These products are used by many women to manage side effects of treatment such as vaginal dryness. Sometimes it can be helpful to consider the benefits and how stopping something may impact your quality of life. Adapting tolife after treatment can be difficult and often the need for information and support continues. Do call us on the helpline if you would like to talk this through.
You can search this American website, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre, for information about individual herbs and vitamins. Each has sections on existing evidence and what known interaction there is with other medications. You may find that that some herbs have different names in America. You can also search herbal products and supplements on the European website Complementary and Alternative Medicine for cancer .
Should you not already know about the support we offer, we have a range of free supportive services that you might be interested in.
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As mentioned above you can call our helpline if you would like to talk this through or have any further questions. The helpline team have time to listen to your concerns, talk things through and signpost you to more support and information. Your call will be confidential, and the number is free from UK landlines and all mobile networks. The number is 0808 800 6000, (Relay UK -prefix 18001).
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Best wishes
Eve
Breast Care Nurse
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