Cancer Survivors Are Heavy Supplement Users
Lee Swanson Research Update
February 2009
Cancer survivors are heavy users of vitamin and mineral dietary supplements, according to a research review from the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle.
The researchers stated: "Vitamin and mineral supplement use is thought to be common among the 10 million adults in the United States who have been diagnosed with cancer; however, well-conducted studies of this topic are sparse. We present a systematic summary of studies published between 1999 and 2006, 32 in total, addressing vitamin and mineral supplement use among U.S. adult cancer patients and survivors."
In studies combining cancer sites, between 64% and 81% of survivors reported using any supplements and 26% to 77% any multivitamins. Additionally, between 14% and 32% of survivors indicated they started using supplements after diagnosis, with usage differing by cancer site. Breast cancer survivors showed the highest use and prostate cancer survivors the lowest.
The researchers suggested more research to examine the association between cancer treatment, recurrence and survival and the use of dietary supplements.
Journal of Clinical Oncology 26(4):665-673, 2008
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