The Breast Cancer/Fibromyalgia Connection
Those operated on for breast cancer have a 10% higher risk of developing fibromyalgia than other women, a new study shows. In my experience, it seems that the estrogen-blocker Tamoxifen — often given after breast surgery — can trigger FMS.
The researchers studied 101 women who had been operated on for breast cancer and found that 9.9% developed FMS — a percentage "higher than that reported in normal populations," they wrote in the International Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Reference
"Frequency of fibromyalgia syndrome in cancer patients," Akkaya N, Atalay NS, Selcuk ST, et al, Int J Clin Oncol. 2012 Feb 10. [Epub ahead of print]
Jacob Teitelbaum, M.D. is one of the world's leading integrative medical authorities on fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue. He is the lead author of eight research studies on their effective treatments, and has published numerous health & wellness books, including the bestseller on fibromyalgia From Fatigued to Fantastic! and The Fatigue and Fibromyalgia Solution. His newest book (June 10, 2024) is You Can Heal From Long COVID. Dr. Teitelbaum is one of the most frequently quoted fibromyalgia experts in the world and appears often as a guest on news and talk shows nationwide including Good Morning America, The Dr. Oz Show, Oprah & Friends, CNN, and Fox News Health.
