I was interested to read the article titled ‘Lifestyle After Breast Cancer’ in the latest BCC magazine, especially 'Plant-based Oestrogens.
I started to take Red Clover Blossom from the age of 40. I took it for over ten years. I took three tablets every single day. There is no history of Breast Cancer in my family at all, yet at the age of 51, I was diagnosed with high grade DCIS…which resulted in me having a mastectomy.
These ‘herbal medicines’ are not regulated by the medical coucil in England. Nobody really knows what they are taking because the full information about herbal medicines is not available. These medicines are not tested.
I am convinced taking Red Clover Blossom was the cause of my DCIS.
Linda
I think you have to be very careful with herbal stuff. Before getting BC I tried black cohosh for perimenopause and it made me feel dreadful; same with evening primrose. I’ve since read that black cohosh should on no account be taken if you are on chemo for BC. There is a shop near me where the woman is a qualified medical herbalist. I went in there one day for Ginkyo Biloba (I take one a day for concentration and circulation). I just happened to get talking to her about the fact I’d had BC and she started advising me to take all sorts of supplements some of which I’ve read are a real no no if you’ve been in this situation. She seemed desperate to get me to sign up to a one hour consultation so she could prescribe stuff. I politely said no thanks and have never been back to the shop since.
How do you get the BCC magazine? I would like to have it.
Hi Jennifer,
Below is a link to the PDF version of the BCC magazine. If you would like to order as copy you could visit the Publications section of the website. Hope this helps
breastcancercare.org.uk/upload/pdf/VIta_Magazine_Winter_2011.pdf
Very best wishes
Janet
BCC Facilitator