Today, even without serious illness, we often consume various foods and medications believed to be beneficial for health, particularly in terms of nutrition and herbal remedies. Let’s take a look at what we should do when preparing for breast cancer surgery:
Can herbal medications be continued before breast cancer surgery?
Since the effectiveness varies depending on the patient’s condition or physical state, it is difficult to determine whether they are beneficial or not. However, let’s look at some representative herbs. One of the most notable herbs is red ginseng.
Red ginseng is effective in supplementing antioxidants, boosting immunity, and reducing fatigue. Additionally, it contains blood-purifying components and prevents blood clotting, which helps with blood circulation. However, these components may cause increased bruising and swelling. Therefore, it is recommended to avoid red ginseng 2 to 3 weeks prior to surgery. Another commonly used herbal remedy is Chaga mushroom extract. Chaga helps activate the immune system and enhances antioxidant effects, but it also contains protein components that prevent blood clotting, so it should be discontinued 1 to 2 weeks before surgery.
Should vitamins, hormonal medications, and aspirin etc be stopped before surgery?
If you are taking hormonal medications such as estrogen or steroids for pre-existing conditions or women’s health issues, you should discontinue them before surgery, as hormone-receptor tumors, such as breast and uterine cancer, may grow or spread due to hormonal medications.
When it comes to vitamins, you should be especially cautious with vitamins E and K. These two vitamins contain blood-thinning properties, which increase the risk of excessive bleeding during surgery and may lead to bruising and swelling post-surgery. Therefore, it is advisable to stop taking them at least one week before the procedure.
Aspirin, often used long-term, can complicate bleeding control during surgery because it reduces platelet function, which is essential for blood clotting. Additionally, immune function may decrease before and after surgery, and continuous aspirin use can lead to gastrointestinal issues such as vomiting and digestive problems, as well as potential interactions with chemotherapy drugs. Thus, caution is advised when using aspirin.
