1. < Breast Cancer

Collagen supplements and Breast Cancer

Posted by anjalima @anjalima, Oct 20, 2022

I contacted a nutritionist regarding information on staying healthy after a breast cancer diagnosis. One of the recommended supplements is a collagen supplement drink in the morning.

I actually took this for a week but recently learned that it may promote breast cancer in dense breasts and facilitate a route for metastatic breast cancer.

Any information out there from our oncologists ?

If anyone can recommend an oncology nutritionist in the NYC metro area please personal message me . Thank you.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Breast Cancer Support Group.

cookercooker | @cookercooker | Jan 28 7:15pm
In reply to @susan7656 "I am glad you raised this question. I am going to follow up with my oncologist...." + (show)
@susan7656

I am glad you raised this question. I am going to follow up with my oncologist. I had dense breasts, used collagen for years and developed breast cancer in Sept 2024 with a mastectomy in Oct 2024. I’m undergoing reconstruction.

Although the chance of my breast cancer returning is quite low, and although my particular type of breast cancer rarely metastasizes, I am quite curious if the collagen powder supplements I take could be putting me at some type of risk.

I think this is an important topic for so many women who are in survivorship or dealing with breast cancer treatment.

Several prominent social media influencers (who are doctors) who promote collagen use and other supplements do not address the vast audience of breast cancer patients.

Of course we want strong bones. But I also do not want to do anything that promotes preventable cancer.

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To build and maintain bone density it is recommended to to do strength training. Walk more, jump more, dance more, lift weights more.

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betsym | @betsym | Feb 2 10:51am

I find this discussion both confusing and concerning. I started using collagen supplements after my first bought with BC and use of anatrzole to try and protect my joints. I find it unnerving to see this contradictory information. No one (doctor) has ever told me not to use it either.

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3 replies
Mentor
Miriam, Volunteer Mentor | @mir123 | Feb 2 12:06pm
In reply to @betsym "I find this discussion both confusing and concerning. I started using collagen supplements after my first..." + (show)
@betsym

I find this discussion both confusing and concerning. I started using collagen supplements after my first bought with BC and use of anatrzole to try and protect my joints. I find it unnerving to see this contradictory information. No one (doctor) has ever told me not to use it either.

Jump to this post

I am finding it confusing too--as I'm not a researcher or a doctor I have no way to understand what the take-away is as regards collagen supplements and breast cancer. I think anyone concerned about this should ask their oncologist directly. I can drive myself crazy reading articles or listening to advice from my grapevine so I'm trying to refrain from going down too many rabbit holes!

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1 reply
cookercooker | @cookercooker | Feb 2 9:22pm
In reply to @mir123 "I am finding it confusing too--as I'm not a researcher or a doctor I have no..." + (show)
@mir123

I am finding it confusing too--as I'm not a researcher or a doctor I have no way to understand what the take-away is as regards collagen supplements and breast cancer. I think anyone concerned about this should ask their oncologist directly. I can drive myself crazy reading articles or listening to advice from my grapevine so I'm trying to refrain from going down too many rabbit holes!

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Just don't take any more. You likely have enough collagen in your body as it is, and your body continues to make it if you eat properly. I don't take it anymore, after reading the negatives about it, and I don't look or feel any different. I'm wondering if it really did anything at all while I was on it. That was for over a year, before I was diagnosed with EC.

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alibee | @alibee | Feb 3 11:22am
In reply to @betsym "I find this discussion both confusing and concerning. I started using collagen supplements after my first..." + (show)
@betsym

I find this discussion both confusing and concerning. I started using collagen supplements after my first bought with BC and use of anatrzole to try and protect my joints. I find it unnerving to see this contradictory information. No one (doctor) has ever told me not to use it either.

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Ditto! I take it in the form of a green tea latte each morning that I’ve become attached to, and have quit drinking it for the time being since seeing these posts. I see my oncologist at the end of the month and will ask about it then. Will try to remember to report back!

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1 reply
susan7656 | @susan7656 | Feb 4 9:07pm
In reply to @alibee "Ditto! I take it in the form of a green tea latte each morning that I’ve..." + (show)
@alibee

Ditto! I take it in the form of a green tea latte each morning that I’ve become attached to, and have quit drinking it for the time being since seeing these posts. I see my oncologist at the end of the month and will ask about it then. Will try to remember to report back!

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@alibee Hi there. Do you know how many grams you are taking in your green tea latte? My oncologist wanted to know how many daily grams I was taking.

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2 replies
alibee | @alibee | Feb 5 11:13am
In reply to @susan7656 "@alibee Hi there. Do you know how many grams you are taking in your green tea..." + (show)
@susan7656

@alibee Hi there. Do you know how many grams you are taking in your green tea latte? My oncologist wanted to know how many daily grams I was taking.

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Yes, 10g as bovine collagen types 1 & 3. It’s a Shaklee product called Up & Glowing and also contains 11g pea protein, 90 mg vitamin C, 150 mcg biotin, and 60mg hyaluronic acid. For all I know, there’s other ingredients my oncologist might not agree with, but we’ll see.

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alibee | @alibee | Feb 5 3:26pm
In reply to @susan7656 "@alibee Hi there. Do you know how many grams you are taking in your green tea..." + (show)
@susan7656

@alibee Hi there. Do you know how many grams you are taking in your green tea latte? My oncologist wanted to know how many daily grams I was taking.

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Did your oncologist give you thoughts on amount?

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1 reply
susan7656 | @susan7656 | Feb 6 12:32am
In reply to @alibee "Did your oncologist give you thoughts on amount?" + (show)
@alibee

Did your oncologist give you thoughts on amount?

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He did not. He simply noted the grams I used. He said that if I was not triple negative he would be more concerned because he didn’t view the collage compilations as always consistent. I haven’t decided yet if I will use the supplement as much as I was before. I’m not a roll-the-dice person. .

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1 reply
kbradtke | @kbradtke | Feb 6 9:31am

I don't know if this is a legit website but there is some discussion of collagen and breast cancer on this site: https://www.patientpower.info/breast-cancer/collagen-and-breast-cancer

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