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.

holly33 | @holly33 | Mar 2 5:17am
In reply to @holly33 "Good morning Princess - The BC pathology is Invasive , Micropapillary, Lymphatic and Dermal Invasion, Nottingham..." + (show)
@holly33

Good morning Princess - The BC pathology is Invasive , Micropapillary, Lymphatic and Dermal Invasion, Nottingham grade 2, ER-positive. Waiting on the Onco test to determine if chemo and/or radiation are of value and very concerned about the reported alter ozone side effects. Collagen?- We (my husband and I) saw NO value or discernible improvements in my bodies over those 16 months, but we did spend a lot more on the breakfast bill! The collagen is NOT worth the risk.

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CORRECTION: Letrozole side effects.

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llthomson | @llthomson | Mar 3 10:02am
In reply to @feprincess "Here are some studies I found. Collagen XIII: https://breast-cancer-research.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13058-018-1030-y Collagen I: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5973854/ Collagen III: https://www.researchsquare.com/article/rs-2631314/v1" + (show)

My reading of the Collagen III study seems to suggest that collagen III(Col3) can aid in suppressing breast cancer - "suggest that strategies that increase Col3 may provide a safe and effective modality to limit recurrence in breast cancer patients." This is very confusing...seems like certain type of collagen is good for breast cancer while other types are bad...

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3 replies
feprincess | @feprincess | Mar 3 10:57am
In reply to @llthomson "My reading of the Collagen III study seems to suggest that collagen III(Col3) can aid in..." + (show)
@llthomson

My reading of the Collagen III study seems to suggest that collagen III(Col3) can aid in suppressing breast cancer - "suggest that strategies that increase Col3 may provide a safe and effective modality to limit recurrence in breast cancer patients." This is very confusing...seems like certain type of collagen is good for breast cancer while other types are bad...

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There are many studies and it's always best to investigate the citing. There were studies that warned against flying, getting blood pressure taken, and blood drawn if you had lymph nodes removed (Lymphademia threat). It is now outdated as far as I know.
https://medauth2.mdedge.com/content/commonly-cited-lymphedema-risk-factors-myth-busted

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staceyg1975 | @staceyg1975 | Mar 4 5:40am
In reply to @mabbs24 "I have taken Collagen Peptides for 3 years. I just found out that I have an..." + (show)
@mabbs24

I have taken Collagen Peptides for 3 years. I just found out that I have an abnormal mammogram for the first time. My breasts are dense for the first time.
The above article scared me. I thought I was doing something good for my body. I am going to
the hospital next week for more testing. I am scared!

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How did things turn out ? Best wishes

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mabbs24 | @mabbs24 | Mar 4 8:50am
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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After my abnormal mammogram I was sent to the hospital for several tests and a breast biopsy.
The doctors were amazingly thorough and the tests took many hours. The hard part was waiting for the results. They called 4 days later and told me my breasts were fine but they want
me to get a mammogram in 6 months because there's an area that they want to watch to see if anything changes. I stopped taking Collagen Peptides. I don't want to take he chance.

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susan7656 | @susan7656 | Mar 4 9:15am
In reply to @llthomson "My reading of the Collagen III study seems to suggest that collagen III(Col3) can aid in..." + (show)
@llthomson

My reading of the Collagen III study seems to suggest that collagen III(Col3) can aid in suppressing breast cancer - "suggest that strategies that increase Col3 may provide a safe and effective modality to limit recurrence in breast cancer patients." This is very confusing...seems like certain type of collagen is good for breast cancer while other types are bad...

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My oncologist pointed out that collagen powder is not regulated. So you do not know what is actually contained in all of the different varieties.

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mistymar | @mistymar | Mar 4 7:54pm

I have been following this link because I wanted to start collagen supplements for hair and nails that were damaged by chemo and have never recovered completely but concern was raised. I also know that type 3 collagen does help strengthen bones which hopefully will help while on ai. I had intermediate grade idc, 100% ER+. I have a medical background and have read several of the papers noted on this link about collagen found in breast tumors. I have yet to find anything about exogenous collagen. However I did discuss with oncologist today and his opinion is that there is not a problem taking collagen supplements, actually said he feels they are safe. No evidence at this time that supplements contribute to tumor growth. I know it’s one doctors opinion but just putting it out there.

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hwardrn | @hwardrn | 1 day ago
In reply to @mabbs24 "I have taken Collagen Peptides for 3 years. I just found out that I have an..." + (show)
@mabbs24

I have taken Collagen Peptides for 3 years. I just found out that I have an abnormal mammogram for the first time. My breasts are dense for the first time.
The above article scared me. I thought I was doing something good for my body. I am going to
the hospital next week for more testing. I am scared!

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This is my exact story. I've take vitals protein with collagen every day in my coffee for 3 years. I'm 52 y/o and My hair has grown to the middle of my back like when I was in my twenties.
I had a routine mammogram with dense breast tissue noted followed by a biopsy.
I have triple positive breast cancer.
I had a lumpectomy radiation and I'm doing targeting therapy injections for a year.
I have non of the risk factors for breast cancer:
I had 3 normal pregnancies
Breast feed all of my children
Ran a half marathon in October 2024 diagmosed Feb 2025
Genetic tests were negative
I've never smoked
I weigh 138 lb I'm 5ft 5in
I do drink wine
My primary care doctor tested my blood for heavy metals...it was negative
I've stopped the protein collagen bc the information seems like it's all mixed opinions
I do think there's a link...more and more woman have access to collagen.
My oncologist discouraged taking it because more research is needed.

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hwardrn | @hwardrn | 2 hours ago
In reply to @llthomson "My reading of the Collagen III study seems to suggest that collagen III(Col3) can aid in..." + (show)
@llthomson

My reading of the Collagen III study seems to suggest that collagen III(Col3) can aid in suppressing breast cancer - "suggest that strategies that increase Col3 may provide a safe and effective modality to limit recurrence in breast cancer patients." This is very confusing...seems like certain type of collagen is good for breast cancer while other types are bad...

Jump to this post

This is what I found too! I wish someone would make a type III collagen supplement based on evidenced based practice for those of us that would like to continue ALL the other positive benefits of taking collagen.
It's such a double edged sword for those of us being forced into menopause with treatment. Collagen really helps with hair proliferation and joint pain.

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