S0230 Goserelin in Preventing Ovarian Failure in Women Receiving Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically confirmed invasive breast cancer * Stage I-IIIA * Operable disease * Bilateral synchronous invasive breast cancer allowed provided primary tumors were diagnosed no more than 1 month apart and both tumors are hormone receptor negative * Must be planning to receive 3-8 months of a preoperative or postoperative chemotherapy regimen containing alkylating agents (anthracyclines or non-anthracyclines), meeting 1 of the following criteria: * 3-month/4-course anthracycline-based regimen * 6- to 8-month/course anthracycline-based regimen * 6- to 8-month/course non-anthracycline-based regimen * Hormone receptor status: * Estrogen receptor negative * Progesterone receptor negative PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age * 18 to 49 Sex * Female Menopausal status * Premenopausal Performance status * Zubrod 0-2 Life expectancy * Not specified Hematopoietic * Not specified Hepatic * Not specified Renal * Not specified Other * Not pregnant or nursing * Fertile patients must use effective barrier contraception * No other prior malignancy except adequately treated basal cell or squamous cell skin cancer or any in situ cancer from which the patient has been disease-free for at least 5 years after treatment with curative intent PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy * Not specified Chemotherapy * See Disease Characteristics * No prior cytotoxic chemotherapy Endocrine therapy * No other concurrent hormonal therapy Rad…