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+) breast cancer
Completion of definitive surgery with mastectomy or breast conserving therapy
Postmenopausal (no menses >= 12 months) or on ovarian suppression in order to take AIs
Currently taking an Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved third-generation aromatase inhibitor (e.g., anastrozole [Arimidex], letrozole [Femara], or exemestane [Aromasin]) for >= 90 days prior to registration with plans to continue for >= 90 days after registration
Clinical symptoms of joint pain for at least 3 months prior to study entry that started or increased with AI therapy with Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) Worst Pain score >= 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 cell skin cancer, in situ cervical cancer, ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast or adequately treated stage I or II cancer from which the patient is currently in complete 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 active infection, symptomatic congestive heart failure, unstable angina pectoris, cardiac arrhythmia, or psychiatric illness/social situation that would limit compliance with study 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/intramuscular corticosteroids < 30 days of entry
Use of analgesics (e.g., opiates, tramadol with the exception of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs [NSAIDs] and acetaminophen) within 14 days prior to registration, 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