Curcumin in Reducing Joint Pain in Breast Cancer Survivors With Aromatase Inhibitor-Induced Joint Disease

Inclusion Criteria:

• Women with histologically confirmed primary invasive adenocarcinoma of the breast,stages I-IIIA

• Estrogen-receptor positive (ER+) and/or progesterone-receptor positive (PR+) breastcancer

• Completion of definitive surgery with mastectomy or breast conserving therapy

• Postmenopausal (no menses >= 12 months) or on ovarian suppression in order to takeAIs

• Currently taking an Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved third-generationaromatase inhibitor (e.g., anastrozole [Arimidex], letrozole [Femara], or exemestane [Aromasin]) for >= 90 days prior to registration with plans to continue for >= 90days after registration

• Clinical symptoms of joint pain for at least 3 months prior to study entry thatstarted or increased with AI therapy with Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) Worst Painscore >= 4 (verbal response to BPI question 3 regarding the worst pain in the past 24 hours as 0 "no pain" to 10 "pain as bad as you can imagine")

Exclusion Criteria:

• Prior malignancy =< 5 years except adequately treated basal cell or squamous cellskin cancer, in situ cervical cancer, ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast oradequately treated stage I or II cancer from which the patient is currently incomplete remission

• History of a bleeding tendency or current use of coumadin or other anticoagulants

• Current or previous history of anemia

• Current autoimmune, liver, hematopoietic, cardiac, or renal disease

• Current viral, bacterial, atypical or fungal infections of any organ system

• Concurrent use of immunosuppressant medications

• Concurrent use of medications known to inhibit or induce hepatic enzyme CYP 3A4 (e.g. ketoconazole, macrolide antibiotics, barbiturates)

• Uncontrolled intercurrent illness including, but not limited to, ongoing or activeinfection, symptomatic congestive heart failure, unstable angina pectoris, cardiacarrhythmia, or psychiatric illness/social situation that would limit compliance withstudy requirements

• Bone fracture or surgery of the affected joints, within 180 days of study entry

• Medical therapy, alternative therapy, or physical therapy for joint pain/stiffness =< 30 days of study entry

• Intra-articular steroids =< 90 days of study entry or oral/intramuscularcorticosteroids < 30 days of entry

• Use of analgesics (e.g., opiates, tramadol with the exception of nonsteroidalanti-inflammatory drugs [NSAIDs] and acetaminophen) within 14 days prior toregistration, or at any time during the 3-month study period

• Chronic use of any herbal or dietary supplement containing curcumin or curcuminoids =< 3 months of study entry or any other supplements that might interact with NEC (e.g. St. John's Wort)

• Known sensitivity or allergy to turmeric spices or curry