LETTER TO THE EDITOR – DECEMBER 2001

I had a mastectomy this May, no other cancer was found in my body, and I was prescribed tamoxifen. I have had unbearable pains in my right leg, which grew worse with time. My doctor told me to stop taking tamoxifen, which I did and the pain has completely gone. My concern is that I am now unprotected. Do you know of any alternatives for protection? I live in a small town in Germany where a great many women here have cancer, but help and information are almost non-existent.

CZ, Germany

Editor: There are many herbs and vitamins that have been found helpful in protecting against breast cancer. Among them are vitamin-C, beta-carotene, alpha-linolenic acid (flax oil), fish oils, soy products, and folic acid. You can find out more about them at www.yourhealthbase.com/breast_cancer.html.