Breast cancer patients who undergo chemotherapy may be given Taxol (paclitaxel) as part of their regimen. Chemotherapy is effective in improving breast cancer survivorship; it is designed to protect against breast cancer recurrence and death by destroying remaining cancer cells in the breast and the rest of the body.
Taxol and other taxanes (e.g., Taxotere (docetaxel)) can result in side effects such as hair loss, mouth sores, nausea, fatigue, low white blood cell count, neuropathy, muscle and joint pain, cognitive impairment (chemo brain) and serious infections. While obtaining relief from these side effects obviously is desirable, it is very important for breast cancer patients to avoid consuming foods or taking supplements that will lessen the cytotoxic impact of chemotherapy on breast cancer cells.

Avoid most supplements during chemotherapy

Taking multivitamins during chemotherapy might help protect cancer cells from the toxic effects of the treatment and we do not recommend it. A variety of other micronutrients (curcumin, EGCG, gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), I3C, DIM, luteolin, melatonin and resveratrol) have been studied and found to increase the effectiveness of Taxol in laboratory experiments. The relevant studies are presented in our article on breast cancer diet during Taxol chemotherapy. However, safe and effective dosages for these supplements during chemotherapy have not been established.
We suggest obtaining these compounds by consuming food rather than taking them in concentrated form. Taking them separately from the other micronutrients found in foods could have unintended adverse effects. For example, one study reported that resveratrol alone promoted mammary tumor growth and metastasis in a mouse model of estrogen receptor negative (ER-) breast cancer, whereas it inhibited it in combination with quercetin and catechin (all three polyphenols are found in grapes).
Milk thistle, a relative of artichoke, traditionally has been used for its liver-protective properties, but increasingly is being used by cancer patients. Milk thistle is the best known source of the compound flavonoid silymarin, which contains silybin. Silybin has been shown to inhibit growth and induce apoptosis in human breast cancer cells and HER-2/neu overexpressing (HER2+) mammary tumors in a mouse model. However, one study found that treatment of human breast cancer tumors in rodents with silymarin isolated from milk thistle stimulated cancer growth.
Many women undergoing chemotherapy develop abnormally low iron levels. Since blood counts usually are monitored during chemotherapy, these women will be identified and treated. However, based on the available evidence, women on chemotherapy without low iron levels should avoid iron supplements (including those in multivitamins), as well as sources of heme iron (from non-plant sources) such as red meat, shellfish or any type of liver. The body absorbs heme iron more effectively than nonheme iron from plant sources such as spinach and dry beans. Tumeric contains curcumin, which has been shown to be an iron chelator, which may be helpful in reducing iron stores.

Pain killers and Taxol

While the prescription pain medication celecoxib (Celebrex) has been shown to reduce the effectiveness of Adriamycin, 5-FU (5-fluorouracil), and cisplatin, one study reported that it can potentiate the treatment effects of Taxol. Aspirin also has been reported to interfere with chemotherapy. Use of ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) has been found to be associated with increased risk of hormone receptor positive (ER+/PR+) breast cancer, although we are not aware of research specifically regarding any interactions with Taxol. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) appears to be the best choice while on Taxol.

Statins and Taxol

Preliminary evidence suggests that use of statins during Taxol chemotherapy might enhance its treatment effects. For example, adding lovastatin to treatment with paclitaxel in an animal model of breast cancer led to amplified immune surveillance and improved survival in one study.

Light at night and Taxol

Sleeping while exposed to light, even dim light, could reduce the effectiveness of treatment with Taxol and promote resistance to chemotherapy.

Exercise during chemotherapy

Regular exercise has been shown to reduce fatigue in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. However, intense or prolonged physical activity during the two days before the start of chemotherapy has the potential to reduce the treatment's benefits. Based on the available evidence, light to moderate aerobic exercise appears to be safe during treatment with Taxol and could help preserve heart health and reduce fatigue.

Sources of information provided in this webpage

The information above, which is updated continually as new research becomes available, has been developed based solely on the results of academic studies. Clicking on any of the underlined terms will take you to its tag or webpage, which contain more extensive information.
Please see our article on how to optimize your breast cancer diet for information on what to eat during all stages of treatment and recovery. Below are links to 20 recent studies concerning Taxol and breast cancer. For a more complete list of studies, please click on the tag Taxol.