Epoetin Alfa in Treating Chemotherapy-Related Anemia in Women With Stage I, Stage II, or Stage III Breast Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically or cytologically confirmed stage I, II, or III breast cancer Planned adjuvant anthracycline-based chemotherapy with or without a taxane for 3-6 months Hemoglobin 10-14 g/dL (independent of transfusion) No anemia due to factors other than cancer/chemotherapy (i.e., iron, cyanocobalamin, or folate deficiency; hemolysis; gastrointestinal bleeding; or myelodysplastic syndrome) Hormone receptor status: Not specified PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Sex: Female Menopausal status: Not specified Performance status: ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy: At least 9 months Hematopoietic: See Disease Characteristics Hepatic: Not specified Renal: Not specified Cardiovascular: No uncontrolled or severe cardiovascular disease No myocardial infarction within the past 6 months No uncontrolled hypertension No congestive heart failure Other: No hypersensitivity to mammalian cell-derived products No hypersensitivity to human albumin Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective contraception PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: At least 6 months since prior epoetin alfa or any investigational forms of erythropoietin (e.g., gene-activated erythropoietin or novel erythropoiesis- stimulating protein) No transfusion within the past 30 days No other concurrent epoetin alfa Chemotherapy: See Disease Characteristics Endocrine therapy: Not specified Radiotherapy: Not specified Surgery: Not specified Other: No other concu…