Inclusion Criteria

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 concurrent
investigational drugs No other concurrent treatments for anemia