Breast Cancer Care Forum

Hi everyone. I was at an oncology appointment and a lady sat opposite me started to tell me about supplements that she swore were effective alongside conventional treatments. She told me to read "How to Starve Cancer...without starving yourself" which was written by Jane Mclelland who was diagnosed with stage 4 long cancer and given 12 weeks to live. 17 years later she was cancer free. I've started reading the book and I cant put it down! It's so informative. I would recommend everyone to read this. It will make you think about your role in your treatment and how supplements alongside conventional treatments can starve the cancer. I plan on discussing what I've learnt to my oncologist next month. Apparently it's important they are on your side, as a lot of doctors dismiss alternative therapies despite research proving otherwise.  ... View more

Hi. I started my first treatment yesterday. Denosumab and Palbo (ibrance). I have been on Letrezole as well since I was diagnosed back in July.   I have to say I have had no side effects from the injection, they should develop within 24 hours, so to all those who have yet to have this treatment...its fine don't worry! Took seconds for the injection. The waiting around for the blood results was the worst part, as I had them at the Marina Dalgleish Centre a couple of days earlier and the injection at The Royal in Liverpool and they are on different computer systems so have to rely on the telephone to get the results! I'm sure that some side effects from Palbo will develop but nothing that cant be managed and certainly better than chemo side effects that we all know only too well.   Whilst I was there I had a chat with my Oncologist who reassured me that I was on the best treatment there is for secondary ER positive breast cancer with spread to bones. She said that 10 years ago a new drug would be available maybe once a year. Now its 3 or 4 a year. She knows of new drugs at this present time that will become available that are even better. She told me to keep positive, eat a healthy diet and just carry on with life. I must admit I came out  lot more positive than when I went in!   My boss is an expert on healthy foods and told me to drink Pomegranate juice daily, eat lots of broccoli, peppers, tomatoes and take Vitamin C and Vitamin B complex supplements to keep my immune system tip top. Just thought I would share this with you as it cant do us any harm. The only thing I was told not to take was Grapefruit Juice or the fruit as this can increase the side effects of the drugs.   Hope this has helped and wish those starting treatment all the best. xx     ... View more

Hi. Has anyone been offered Irosustat as well as hormone tablets (letrozole etc) to treat their secondaries? I was diagnosed recently with secondaries in bones and a new tumour in breast. My Oncologist, who I have my first appointment with next month to discuss treatment, has been involved in a trial using the above drug. When I googled it apparently most breast cancers need estrogen to grow and there are two ways  in which the body  can make it. Previously they were  only able to use a hormone drug to block one of these places  but with the introduction of irosustat  they are hoping to prove that they can also block the other one and stop the cancer from growing. I will obviously ask him the question when I see him, but just wondered if anyone else had heard of it or is taking it? ... View more

I'm sure I'm not the only one who feels like I do but feel really down and depressed. Only been diagnosed as secondaries a week ago and trying to be positive. Just today people around me all seem to be planning their lives with holidays, weddings, grandchildren and looking towards the future. My life seems to be on hold with nothing to look forward to but ill health. There is nothing anyone can do to change things but feel very alone despite having family around me. Its tiring to keep smiling when all I want to do is cry! Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day! Thanks for listening! X ... View more