A Pilot Study of Website Information Regarding Aromatase Inhibitors: Dietary Supplement Interactions

Abstract

Objectives: Patients who have hormone receptor-positive breast cancer and who are taking aromatase inhibitors (AIs) should understand the benefits and risks of concomitant dietary supplement (DS) use. The International Society for Integrative Oncology (SIO) encourages patients to discuss DS use with their health care practitioners. The objective was to conduct a pilot study rating Internet websites from the perspective of health care practitioners for information about AI-DS interactions. Design: Five (5) Internet websites suggested by SIO were evaluated using the DISCERN instrument rating tool. The available AI-DS information on these websites was rated by 4 evaluators: 2 naturopathic doctors, 1 oncology pharmacy resident, and a pharmacy student. Results: The overall rankings ranged from 1.6 to 3.9, with considerable variability in the type of information available from the websites. The interevaluator rankings of the websites ranged from 0.44 to 0.89. The evaluators consistently found the most reliable, unbiased, and comprehensive information on AI-DS interactions at the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database and Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center websites. However, more than one database was needed for provision of optimal patient information on AI-DS interactions. Conclusions: In order to effectively advise patients regarding AI-DS interactions, more than one website should be evaluated to assess the potential efficacy and safety of DS in women whose breast cancer is being treated with an AI.

Resourcing the clinical complementary medicine information needs of Australian medical students: Results of a grounded theory study

“…As fully qualified doctors, students need to be able to discuss safety and evidence of CMs; however, previous research suggests that misinformation regarding CMs from inappropriate sources is common and may pose potential risks (Easton, ; Brauer et al ., ; Lewis et al ., ). In addition, multiple avenues may need to be searched to gain optimal information regarding CMs (McDermott et al ., ).…”

Identifying Complementary and Alternative Medicine Usage Information from Internet Resources

“…3 (38)(39)(40) 8 (10,27,(40)(41)(43)(44)(45)(46) 1 (43) 1 (43) Theme 4 1 (50) Theme 5 2 (30,56) 3 (35,51,52) 1 (57) 1 (53) 1 (55) Theme 6 2 (79,90) 17 (62)(63)(64)(65)(66)(67)(68)(69)(70)(71)(72)(73)(74)(75)(76)(77)(78) 9 (58)(59)(60)(61)(91)(92)(93)(94)(95) Theme 7…”

“…The International Society of Integrated Oncology recommends seven such websites [91]. For example, it can be difficult to identify a single website that describes Aromatase Inhibitor-Dietary Supplement interactions [92]. The Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database and Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center websites have been reported as providing the most reliable and unbiased information [92].…”

“…For example, it can be difficult to identify a single website that describes Aromatase Inhibitor-Dietary Supplement interactions [92]. The Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database and Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center websites have been reported as providing the most reliable and unbiased information [92]. National Cancer Institute designated cancer center websites have been evaluated for how they present CAM information through their websites, revealing that only 17 % of centers received a score of 'excellent' [93].…”

Potential Interactions of Biologically Based Complementary Medicine in Gynecological Oncology

“…14 Therefore, various websites have emerged in the past decade to evaluate the risk of CDIs. To rate available websites, McDermott et al 15 conducted a pilot study, which advised health care practitioners to use more than 1 website to assess the potential efficacy and safety of CAM. 15 Former studies investigating CDIs reported a large difference in the number of interactions.…”