Zoledronate, Calcium, and Vitamin D in Preventing Bone Loss in Women Receiving Adjuvant Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

* Histologically confirmed adenocarcinoma of the breast by fine needle aspirate, biopsy (tru-cut, core, stereotactic), lumpectomy, or modified radical mastectomy

  * Stage I-III (any T, any N, M0)
  * Stage IV due solely to supraclavicular node involvement allowed
* Plan to use adjuvant chemotherapy\* with or without adjuvant endocrine therapy\*

  * Subsequent adjuvant hormonal therapy with an aromatase inhibitor allowed in women rendered postmenopausal by adjuvant chemotherapy NOTE: \*Must be specified prior to study entry
* Hormone receptor status:

  * Not specified

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

* 40 and over

Sex:

* Female

Menopausal status:

* See Disease Characteristics
* Premenopausal, defined as actively menstruating or last menstrual period occurred within 6 months prior to study entry

  * Prior hysterectomy without bilateral oophorectomy and estradiol and follicle-stimulating hormone within premenopausal range prior to the initiation of chemotherapy allowed

Performance status:

* Not specified

Life expectancy:

* Not specified

Hematopoietic:

* Not specified

Hepatic:

* Not specified

Renal:

* Not specified

Other:

* Not pregnant or nursing
* Negative pregnancy test
* Fertile patients must use effective contraception

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

* Not specified

Chemotherapy:

* See Disease Characteristics
* No more than 3 months since prior adjuvant chemotherapy

Endocrine therapy:

* See Disease Characteristics

Radiotherapy:

* Not specified

Surgery:

* See Disease Characteristics
* See Menopausal status

Other:

* No other concurrent bisphosphonates
* No concurrent digoxin
* No concurrent tetracycline
* Concurrent neoadjuvant therapy allowed
* Concurrent enrollment on therapeutic adjuvant clinical trials allowed provided the therapeutic trial does not preclude participation in this trial