I just wanted to put the word out on Metformin.It is a cheap,cheap drug the treats type 2 diabetes.there has been speculation for years that it can also inhibit the growth of breast cancer cells.Especially triple negative and Her2+.But it is thought to work for ALL breast cancer subtypes Er+,Er-,Her2+/-.It is safe to take even if you dont have type 2 diabetes and has little to no side effects.
The doctors thoughts on how it works has to do with lowering a womans insulin levels.Its the whole cancer VS sugar we have heard all along.Currently there is a large Canadian trial,Im in Canada myself,that is testing this.Here is a link about metformin and cancer(s).Scroll down to read about breast cancer.I will also post some shorter articles that just came out this past December at the San Antonio Texas Breast Cancer Symposium.
I myself will be starting Metformin because I tested my blood glucose levels and they were slightly on the high side.My naturalpathic oncologist is perscribing it for me.I was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer with a single lung met in June 2010.I have since had chemo,mastectomy and an upper left lung lobectomy.Im currently on Femara for my breast tumor(Er+) but on pathology,my lung met was Er-.Apparantly metastasis can change in around 40% of cases.SO please,please if you have viceral metastasis diagnosed(liver,lung)get them tested.Bone is harder to get.But thats another thread.
If you want to read more about Metformin and breast cancer,just google Metformin and breast cancer.
2x
I’ve been following the metformin trial too - have posted here about it a couple times. I’ve also been following a virtually sugar free diet - just fruit and a little dark chocolate. I have read that metformin does more than lower glucose though - I think they believe it affects breast cancer stem cells.
Yes Finty it affects breast cancer stem cells.The bad guys.Its good to already follow a low or eliminte sugar out of our diet completely,but let’s face it,being stage 4 we need more help than diet changes.
Please take the time to read the article.And I encourage any woman who are interested in Metformin to ask their oncologists.I frequent various stage 4 sites and most of the woman are American.Their oncologists have already started them on Metformin since the info presented in December at the San Antonio breast cancer symposium,has show amazing results.ill look for some of those links.
In the same way as Herceptin was originally only used for secondaries but is now standard treatment for primaries, is it likely that Metformin will follow suit and will be prescribed for those with primary cancers? Would there be any benefit in speaking to onc about Metformin for primaries or would I be laughed out of the clinic?
No,you wouldn’t be laughed at.The big Canadian study is looking at early stage disease participants.I have secondaries so I can’t enroll.But by the time the study ends,and gets written up were looking at 5yrs at least.
Maybe get a blood glucose test done through your family doctor,if its on the high side,you can use that as an excuse.Remember,your oncologist iusnt the only doctor that can perscribe it for you.My cancer hospital is still enrolling woman for the Metformin trial.Could be a while to get the full results.
I would definitely ask your oncs about it - mine is aware of it and raised it herself a few months ago - not specifically metformin, but when I said I was avoiding sugar she said it was well worth doing and diabetic drugs are the looking like the next generation of bc treatment.
2x - I agree with you - I am also stage 4 and am throwing everything I can think of at it, but diet is playing a big part! And of course closely related to the insulin issue is Insulin Like Growth Factor - I’m wondering if metformin has any impact on blocking that.
I’ve just answered my own question - a quick google, and 1.2 million hits for metformin and IGF-1! Although the pathway isn’t yet perfectly understood, it seems researchers believe metformin does act to block IGF-1 as well as insulin. For those unfamiliar with it, IGF-1 is a growth hormone that is associated with a significantly raised risk of all cancers, and specifically breast cancer - levels are raised by a diet high in animal protein, which is the main reason cancer diets recommend limiting consumption of meat and dairy.
Some of the figures on the current diabetic and cancer study are incredible - reducing breast cancer occurrence by 56% and pancreatic cancer by 62%!
HI all, when I was first undergoing tests for ILC I read all the stuff I could and stopped eating meat, fish and dairy and sugar so as to eliminate the growth hormone and glucose hits that the cancer appeared to need. I have kept it up and am certain it has helped me. Certainly has helped me lose 3 stone effortlessly and I did pretty well through all treatments, haven’t (touch wood!) had the colds, flu etc and my immune system appeared to hold up well. I can totally see the sense in metformin even if I hadn’t read the research, just wondering if the diet changes alone are enough or if the metformin possibly does something else. Even at early stages I think its a no brainer to try anyhow. I am happy to share more about the diet if any one interested. love to you all, its all changing isn’t it, we should be so positive about our futures Go girls Tessa xxx
Just want to say what an interesting bit of info, and add my two pennies worth.
Strangely enough, before being diagnosed with metastatic BC, I suffered from a condition known as endometrial hyperplasia. For those who don’t know, this is a condition that mainly post menopausal women get, whereby the lining of the womb constantly thickens, and unless treated, can become cancerous. Basically the problem is caused by unopposed oestrogen (oestrogen that has not been opposed by progesterone). The oestrogen is produced in what doctors call ‘toxic fat cells’, which are located around the waist (I’m only a size 10 -12, but my waist is out of proportion). Anyway to cut a long story short, I was given progesterone to counter the oestrogen, but another treatment mentioned was Metformin. Apparently, there is an interrelationship between what is called toxic fat (the fat around the middle), and insulin resistance. It seems that Metformin is known to lower insulin resistance, and this reduces the number of toxic fat cells, which in turn reduces the number of cells churning out oestrogen.
Hi Tessa - I’m doing the same diet and have also lost 3 stone fairly easily. Great isn’t it? (I do eat fish though, and occasionally chicken, as I don’t think they raise IGF-1 levels as much as bigger animals.)
From the little I’ve read on metformin they do indeed believe it does more than we can with diet alone - when used together with chemo they think it kills breast cancer stem cells. One of the theories for why cancer comes back even after very harsh chemo is that there are bc stem cells that aren’t themselves cancerous, and hence aren’t killed by chemo - but I think this is still very much theoretical. Even if this isn’t the explanation, it clearly does something. I agree - it’s a no brainer.
It seems just like it was a few hours ago I posted about Metformin.I suffer from terrible insomnia.I’m sure most can understand.
I’m so glad that there has been an interest in Metformin.
Lemon,your story was interesting.its funny because I was talking to mu husband theotherday about metastatic breast cancer.although I hope desperatly for a cure for ALL stages of this disgusting disease,I don’t think one will be happening soon.BUT, I do feel researchers may click on to something thsat may stop or drastically slow progression of this disease.Allowing,most woman to live a good lifespan.And who says this has to be so difficult and costly?
I think the drugs are already out there,used to treat other diseases.Like Metformin.
If you are especially TN you should be inquiring about this,since chemos are the only option for treatment.But All subtypes benefit also
Interesting you say little or no side effects. Before I had BC I was diagnosed as type 2 diabetic. First port of call in metformin - presumably cos it’s cheap!!! Unfortunately it is NOT well tolerated by some people, and it’s nnot a small minority. It can cause a immediate need for a No 2, to be frank and when I sayimmediate I mean immediate - imagine just getting out of your car in a supermarket car park and being struck by this ‘desire’ - it’s no fun I assure you and before I gave it up I was scared to leave the house.
I don’t mean to ‘dis’ it, and I’d heard before it can be beneficial for bc, just don’t go running out looking for it hoping for a miracle cos it may just not be tolerated by your body
I’ve been reading this thread with interest and agree that it does seem a very promising drug for use with BC - and triple neg. in particular - with its aggressive nature and lack of targeted treatment options - I’m also interested in its use for weight loss, but that’s another story! However, I would like to suggest that you exercise caution when considering this drug.
Don’t mean to be a party pooper here, but my partner was recently diagnosed as a type 2 diabetic and has been on metformin for a couple of months and it is proving very effective. I was reading the leaflet that came with the pack of tabs. and noticed that they can cause a nasty reaction (kidney failure was also mentioned) when taken at the same time as the contrast dye (iodine, I believe) used in CT scans. As those of us with secondary spread tend to have lots of these scans, it is wise to check with your doctor or onc. before beginning these tabs. I think people just come off them for a couple of days prior to scans to clear them out of your system. Also, these are drugs designed for diabetics, so although they would seem safe for those of us who are non-diabetic, I certainly would check with your GP or onc.before beginning a course. Hope you don’t mind me chiming in here, but it is wise to be aware of these things.
No your not a party pooper,there is always the flip side of things.Of course with ANY drug out there,there is some sort of side effects.and there are those individuals who do have more side effects than the average taker.Its just like Ibprophen or Tylenol.Have you read the leaflets with those?But most people take them daily with little or no sideffects.the only sideffects that i have read from woman who started Metformin have been stomach issues,but that seems to lessen up after a short while.
and its good you brought up the scans.Ive read that Metformin would be stopped,no more than 7 days prior to taking a scan.For me that really is not a big deal.Just make a reminder to myself to do so.
And yes,Metformin is designed for diabetics but in the link I posted above,it explains how it can benefit those with out diabetes but with breast cancer.
And yes,yes!Always check with your doctors and let your onc know what medications you are taking.Even natural supplements,especially if you are being treated with chemotherapy at the time.
Thanks Sarah for bring up some important notes.
2x
Its interesting how you mentioned “toxic fat”.the fat around a womans mid section.
that is where I carry mine.Since 2004 when i was pregnant.It is hard to loose that stubborn area.Makes me think.
2x
Here is a link to a MD blog.She is a former anesthesiologist and attended this years 2010 Breast Cancer Symposium in San Antonio,Texas USA.These are the highlights for Metformin.This link may be easier for some people to understand.