Hi, I’m on hormone therapy for metastatic breast cancer. I have been looking at taking mushroom gummies as a supplement. Are these okay to take when on Letrozole, Palbociclib, zoladex and denosumb?
Hi Dg2021,
Thanks for posting asking about taking mushroom gummies.
Many people ask about vitamins, supplements and herbal medicines, as they want to do as much as possible to be healthy following a diagnosis of breast cancer or to help manage the side effects from treatments. We’re not sure why you are considering supplements.
There is often the belief that these products are safe as they are considered natural. However, most don’t have to comply with the same regulations or rigorous testing that conventional medicines do. For many products there is a lack of research to support their use, and some can interfere with conventional medicines including cancer treatments.
You can search this American website, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre, for information about supplements. Each has sections on existing evidence and what known interaction there is with other medications. There are different types of mushroom supplements. Perhaps there is more information about the mushroom gummies, what it contains exactly to help you with any search. You can also search herbal products and supplements on the European website Complementary and Alternative Medicine for cancer and on the American website Medicine Plus
It’s important to speak to your breast care nurse, treatment team, GP, or a pharmacist before taking any supplements.
Our Diet and breast cancer booklet and complementary therapies webpage might be of interest.
The Hospital for Integrated Medicine (UCLH) have a conventional alongside alternative pharmacy patient line for information.
You may be interested in the support services we provide with those living with metastatic breast cancer.
Do call our helpline if you would like to talk this through or have any further questions. The helpline team have time to listen, talk things through and signpost you to additional support and information if necessary. Your call will be confidential, and the number is free from UK landlines and all mobile networks.
Our number is 0808 800 6000. If you have hearing or speech difficulties dial 18001 followed by our number and the call will go through Relay UK. Our helpline has access to telephone interpreters if language translation is required.
If you would prefer one of our nurses to call you. Please complete this form ticking the box agreeing to a call back.
Our usual opening hours are Monday to Friday 9am - 4pm and 9am -1pm on Saturdays.
We are closed on English bank holidays.
Out of hours you can leave a message and we will call you back when we next open.
Best wishes,
Jane
Breast Care Nurse
Please read the disclaimer Full details on how we collect and use your data can be found in our Privacy Policy
As we are unable to monitor for further replies, this thread will now be closed. If you have any additional questions or would like to provide feedback, please start a new thread, call our helpline, email us or request a call back.