Is it safe to take black cohosh if you have had an ER+ tumor?

Andrea, they've been all over the place on black cohosh - the latest is, no, don't take it. And don't take any of the "natural" hot flash remedies involving soy, either. Soy in its "natural" state (e.g., tofu, soy milk, etc.) is fine; but once they break it into its chemical components and isolate them, one of the main components in natural hot flash remedies—genistein—can actually encourage tumor growth. Frankly, I haven't found anything that works for hot flashes, and I've tried lots of so-called remedies, from vitamin E and black cohosh to drugs. I do notice that caffeine and alcohol seem to promote hot flashes, as does warmer weather; but I've never found anything to tone them down. Open the freezer door and keep fanning! Good luck- PJH

I was told by my oncologist (in 2005) NOT to take any herbal supps, only a daily vitamin and maybe extra calcium.

the problem with most herbal supps is that they can contain soy or plant estrogen and that can be bad if you are er+.  So check with your dr as lots of changes have been made since 2005, but I still follow those guidelines.

I know hot flashes SUCK! When I found out I had cancer I had a hysterectomy right before it, which sent me into menopause at 31!  My ob/gyn gave me these blood pressure patches to help (CATAPRES TTS-1 PATCHES) - ask about those or taking extra vitamin E, as one dr told me that would help.

hope you can use this info to help you at you next dr visit!