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