Tamoxifen is a medication used to reduce the risk of breast cancer recurrence. Although it’s an important treatment, it may cause side effects such as hot flashes, weight gain, mood changes, joint pain, and muscle pain. Using integrative approaches may be helpful in managing some side effects from tamoxifen.
Eating a diet high in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, and olive oil and limiting alcohol is recommended for breast cancer survivors.27Runowicz CD, Leach CR et al.American Cancer Society/American Society of Clinical Oncology Breast Cancer Survivorship Care Guideline.Journal of Clinical Oncology. 2016;34(6):611–635.This way of eating is in line with a Mediterranean-style diet, which has been associated with a lower risk of breast cancer recurrence.28Berrino F, Villarini A et al.The effect of diet on breast cancer recurrence: the DIANA‑5 randomized trial. Clinical Cancer Research. 2024 Mar 1;30(5):965-974.
Some natural products could impact the effectiveness of tamoxifen (e.g. diindolylmethane (DIM) and curcumin). Until more is known, it may be best not to use these as supplements or to discuss with your healthcare provider.38Stopeck A, Maskarinec G et al.A randomized, placebo-controlled trial of diindolylmethane for breast cancer biomarker modulation in patients taking tamoxifen. Breast Cancer Research and Treatment. 2017 Aug;165(1):97-107; Hussaarts KGAM, Hurkmans DP et al.Impact of curcumin (with or without piperine) on the pharmacokinetics of tamoxifen. Cancers (Basel). 2019 Mar 22;11(3):403.
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This article was produced through a collaboration of KNOWintegrativeoncology.org, CancerChoices, and the Patterson Institute for Integrative Oncology Research.
Download our printable brochure on Managing Tamoxifen Side Effects ›
Authors: Heather Wright, ND; Sarah Soles, ND; Casey Martell, ND, MBA; Julie Robinson, ND; Gwen Stritter, MD; Pallav Mehta, MD; Dugald Seely, ND, MSc; Ellen Conte, ND; Jen Green, ND
Christine has a dynamic background in the life sciences, public health, and program operations. Her career began at the lab bench with a Gates Foundation-funded HIV Vaccine research group, which led her to graduate studies in public health epidemiology at UC Berkeley. Her research experience spans clinical epidemiology research to evaluating the impacts of community nutrition programs in Los Angeles, the Central Valley, and Oakland. Most recently she has worked in executive operations for a seed-stage venture capital firm based in San Francisco. Personally, Christine is passionate about holistic health and wellness. She is a clinical herbalist and Reiki master, and she has been practicing yoga for 15+ years. She brings a breadth of experiences to her work leading the CancerChoices program.
Laura Pole is senior clinical consultant for CancerChoices. Laura is an oncology clinical nurse specialist who has been providing integrative oncology clinical care, navigation, consultation, and education services for over 40 years. She is the co-creator and co-coordinator of the Integrative Oncology Navigation Training at Smith Center for Healing and the Arts in Washington, DC. Laura also manages the “Media Watch Cancer News That You Can Use” listserv for Smith Center/Commonweal. In her role as a palliative care educator and consultant, Laura has served as statewide Respecting Choices Faculty for the Virginia POST (Physician Orders for Scope of Treatment) Collaborative as well as provided statewide professional education on palliative and end-of-life care for the Virginia Association for Hospices and Palliative Care.
For CancerChoices, Laura curates content and research, networks with clinical and organizational partners, brings awareness and education of integrative oncology at professional and patient conferences and programs, and translates research into information relevant to the patient experience as well as clinical practice.
Laura sees her work with CancerChoices as a perfect alignment of all her passions, knowledge and skills in integrative oncology care. She is honored to serve you.
CancerChoices provides information aboutintegrativein cancer care, a patient-centered approach combining the best of conventional care, self care and evidence-informed complementary care in an integrated plancancer care. We reviewcomplementaryin cancer care, complementary care involves the use of therapies intended to enhance or add to standard conventional treatments; examples include supplements, mind-body approaches such as yoga or psychosocial therapy, and acupuncturetherapies andself-carelifestyle actions and behaviors that may impact cancer outcomes; examples include eating health-promoting foods, limiting alcohol, increasing physical activity, and managing stresspractices to help patients and professionals explore and integrate the best combination ofconventionalthe cancer care offered by conventionally trained physicians and most hospitals; examples are chemotherapy, surgery, and radiotherapyand complementary therapies and practices for each person.
Our staff have no financial conflicts of interest to declare. We receive no funds from any manufacturers or retailers gaining financial profit by promoting or discouraging therapies mentioned on this site.
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Originally published on The Patient Story: https://cancerchoices.org/how-to-manage-tamoxifen-side-effects-a-whole-person-approach/
