Joint pain suppliments

Dear Maryrose,

It’s Lisa from the Policy Team. I am very sorry that you have been experiencing pain in your neck, shoulders and back. I just wanted to encourage you to talk to your oncologist about this joint pain as well as any medication you are thinking about taking to help manage the pain. Your medical oncologist will also be able to provide you with strategies to help manage the pain, and can talk to you about whether you may wish to think about switching to a different aromatase inhibitor, as this can sometimes help as well.

As Doll said, the USA Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre has a great website and smart phone app called ‘About Herbs, Botanicals and other Products’. The website provides a lot of information about herbs, botanicals, vitamins and supplements and possible adverse effects on breast cancer treatments. However, we always recommend that you talk to your oncologist about any complementary medicine or supplement you might be thinking of taking as well.

You may have read BCNA’s booklet, Hormone therapy and breast cancer, but if not, it may be helpful too. The booklet provides information about hormone therapy and tips and strategies about managing side effects, such as joint pain. You can download a copy or order one through our website.

Warm regards,
Lisa