Nutrition and breast cancer

Before making any changes to your diet, be sure to talk to your doctor about the best nutrition plan for you and your current stage of breast cancer treatment.

We’ve all heard about the importance of eating a healthy diet, and that’s especially true during initial breast cancer treatment. Continuing a healthy eating plan through adjuvant treatment and beyond is just as important.

Be sure to talk to your doctor about a nutrition plan that is right for you to help you feel better and stay strong.

The American Cancer Society guidelines on diet, nutrition, and cancer prevention recommend the following.

Eat a variety of foods every day, and emphasize plant sources. No one food contains all the nutrients you need
Eat five or more servings of vegetables and fruits every day. Try to vary them each day. Raw or cooked vegetables, fruits, and fruit juices provide the vitamins, minerals, and fiber you need
Choose whole grains such as whole-wheat bread, oats, and brown rice instead of processed (refined) grains and sugars. Whole grains are good sources of complex carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals, and fiber
Pick foods that will help you maintain a healthful weight. Don't overdo fat, sugar, and alcohol. Small portions (no more than 6-7 ounces a day) of lean meat and poultry without skin are better. Try broiling, steaming, and poaching your food
Limit the amount for red meats you eat, especially those that are high in fat or are processed

It is also important to include sources of calcium in your diet. Calcium is recommended for postmenopausal women on hormonal treatment to help maintain good bone health. While low-fat milk, yogurt, and cheese are good sources of calcium, ask your doctor if you'd need to take a calcium supplement and vitamin D to help your body absorb calcium.

Before making any changes to your diet, be sure to talk to your doctor.

Create a personal eating plan that is right for you. Visit www.mypyramid.gov

Important Information About ARIMIDEX

ARIMIDEX is approved for adjuvant treatment (treatment following surgery with or without radiation) of postmenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive early breast cancer.

ARIMIDEX is approved for the initial treatment of postmenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive or hormone receptor-unknown locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer and for the treatment of postmenopausal women with advanced breast cancer that has progressed following treatment with tamoxifen. Patients with hormone receptor-negative disease and patients who did not previously respond to tamoxifen therapy rarely responded to ARIMIDEX.

Important Safety Information About ARIMIDEX

Prescription ARIMIDEX is only for postmenopausal women. ARIMIDEX should not be taken if you are pregnant because it may harm your unborn child
Based on information from a study in patients with early breast cancer, women with a history of blockages in heart arteries (ischemic heart disease) who take ARIMIDEX may have a slight increase in this type of heart disease compared to similar patients who take tamoxifen
ARIMIDEX can cause bone softening/weakening (osteoporosis) increasing the chance of fractures. In a clinical study in early breast cancer, there were more fractures (including fractures of the spine, hip, and wrist) with ARIMIDEX (10%) than with tamoxifen (7%)
In a clinical study in early breast cancer, some patients taking ARIMIDEX had an increase in cholesterol. Skin reactions, allergic reactions, and changes in blood tests of liver function have also been reported
In the early breast cancer clinical trial, the most common side effects seen with ARIMIDEX include hot flashes, joint symptoms (including arthritis and arthralgia), weakness, mood changes, pain, back pain, sore throat, nausea and vomiting, rash, depression, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, fractures, swelling of arms/legs, insomnia, and headache
In advanced breast cancer trials, the most common side effects seen with ARIMIDEX versus tamoxifen include hot flashes, nausea, decreased energy and weakness, pain, back pain, headache, bone pain, increased cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, and swelling of arms and legs. Joint pain/stiffness has been reported in association with the use of ARIMIDEX
ARIMIDEX should not be taken with tamoxifen or estrogen-containing therapies

Please see full Prescribing Information.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.FDA.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

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