flaxseed

[paula ryan]

may prevention mag. states on pg. 80 that flaxseed should be avoided by anyone who has had or has breast cancer,or taking tamoxifen,this was news to me. has anyone else heard this?? thanks...

[Leslie]

Hi Paula,
I saw the same article and it has made me wonder also. Everything that I have read has made flaxseed sound beneficial for breast cancer patients. It has phytoestrogen properties that are weaker than true estrogen produced by the body, so it may help fill those estrogen receptors. And the lignans in the hulls supposedly inhibit cancer. I currently take 2TBS ground flax seed daily that I grind myself from the whole seeds. I feel it is beneficial to me (softer skin, omega 3's, etc) so I don't plan on stopping from reading that one article. I list it on the list of meds for the oncologist to see and have not been told not to use it. I am estrogen negative, however, and am not taking Tamoxifen. Will ask specifically at my next appointment.

[Sandy]

I don't plan on stopping it as I don't have any joint pain from the chemo or FMS. It has lots of other benefits and I feel good. I am ER/PR neg, at this point, I am not concerned. Hugs, Sandy

[Linda in TX]

The only thing I remember reading about the use of flaxseed, in regard to BC, was to avoid it if you were er+. Otherwise I assume it to be okay.

[Monica]

Here is a fairly thorough discussion about research on Phytoestrogens and Breast Cancer

http://envirocancer.cornell.edu/FactSheet/Diet/fs1.phyto.cfm

[paula r]

prevention mag. e mailed be back,they said the info was from study done by univ. of toronto,Dr.Lilian Thompson PhD dept of nutrition toronto/& to visit http://cancerrd.com/FAQs/FAQ77.htm which i will do...