Dietary supplement use in ambulatory cancer patients: a survey on prevalence, motivation and attitudes

Abstract

Purpose Patients with cancer often believe dietary supplements (DS) such as micronutrients and botanical products to be health supporting and non-toxic despite growing concerns regarding potential pharmacological interactions. Studies on the prevalence of DS use among patients with cancer are heterogeneous and mainly conducted at university-based cancer centers. This survey focused on a particular cancer patient group treated in an ambulatory setting without regular access to professional nutritional counselling. Methods Patients with a history of cancer or hematological malignancy were included in this survey. A self-reported questionnaire was used to evaluate the different aspects of DS use, changes in dietary habits and patients’ demographic characteristics. Results Almost every second patient reported using DS (47.2%). Women (56.3%), patients with an academic degree (56.0%) and non-smokers (84.8%) were more inclined to use DS. Along with magnesium (16.6%), calcium (14.3%), multivitamins (12.0%) and vitamin C (9.4%), use of herbal supplements (12.6%) was common. Women (84.8% vs. 74.9% of men, p = < 0.001) and patients younger than 65 years (84.4% vs. 77.2% of patients > 65 y, p = 0.002) sought dietary advice more often. Support of the immune system was the main reason for DS use (26.4%) and a relevant number of patients (49.6%) reported to have changed their dietary habits following cancer diagnosis. Conclusion DS use is common among patients with cancer treated in an ambulatory setting. This finding should encourage oncologists to implement detailed questioning about DS use and dietary habits to prevent potential interactions and offer substantial advice.

Knowledge and Beliefs about Herb/Supplement Consumption and Herb/Supplement–Drug Interactions among the General Population, including Healthcare Professionals and Pharmacists: A Systematic Review and Guidelines for a Smart Decision System

“…Most studies used a correlational/comparative design. Specifically, 37 followed a cross-sectional design [ 2 , 7 , 10 , 30 , 61 , 62 , 63 , 64 , 65 , 66 , 67 , 68 , 69 , 70 , 71 , 72 , 73 , 74 , 75 , 76 , 77 , 78 , 79 , 80 , 81 , 82 , 83 , 84 , 85 , 86 , 87 , 88 , 89 , 90 , 91 , 92 , 93 ] ( Table 1 ) and two followed experimental designs [ 43 , 94 ] ( Table 2 ). Three studies used qualitative methodology [ 95 , 96 , 97 ] and two used mixed-method (qualitative and quantitative) research designs [ 98 , 99 ] ( Table 1 ).…”

“…Regarding data collection procedures, most of the data were collected through questionnaires/surveys [ 7 , 10 , 30 , 61 , 62 , 63 , 64 , 65 , 66 , 67 , 68 , 69 , 70 , 71 , 72 , 73 , 74 , 75 , 76 , 77 , 78 , 79 , 80 , 81 , 82 , 83 , 84 , 85 , 86 , 87 , 88 , 89 , 90 , 91 , 92 , 93 , 98 ]. In other studies, data were collected through interviews [ 2 , 61 , 96 , 99 ] and three of these studies used focus groups [ 92 , 95 , 97 ].…”

“…In terms of the participants, 13 studies included pharmacists [ 30 , 61 , 69 , 70 , 73 , 74 , 75 , 80 , 82 , 86 , 89 , 90 , 94 ], 12 studies included the general population [ 10 , 43 , 62 , 68 , 72 , 76 , 84 , 85 , 88 , 92 , 95 , 98 ], 11 studies included a variety of healthcare workers [ 63 , 66 , 67 , 71 , 75 , 77 , 78 , 79 , 81 , 96 , 99 ], and 9 studies included patients with various conditions [ 2 , 7 , 64 , 65 , 83 , 87 , 91 , 93 , 97 ].…”

The Self-Administered Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) Supplements and Antioxidants in Cancer Therapy and the Critical Role of Nrf-2—A Systematic Review

“…For instance, Greenlee et al [ 54 ] report that 60.2% of participants started using vitamins or mineral supplements, while 46.3% discontinued using supplements. Similarly, in a study by Tank et al [ 80 ], where 41.5% of supplement users initiated their routine after their disease was diagnosed, it was common for patients to start using dietary supplements after diagnosis. However, other articles reported lower rates, such as 15.3% of participants [ 81 ] or 14% of participants beginning (dietary) supplement use after their diagnosis [ 78 ].…”

Onkoloji Hastalarında Beslenme Sorunlarının Yönetimi ve Hemşirenin Rolü

“…Yetersiz beslenme riski olan hastalarda enerji alımını kısıtlayan besin maddeleri kullanılmamalıdır 4 . Vitamin, eser element ve bitkisel ürünlerin kullanımı kanser hastaları arasında bağışıklık sistemini desteklemek ve beslenme yetersizliklerinin önlenmesi amacıyla yaygınlaşmıştır ve ek besin takviyelerinin tedavide faydalı olduğu düşünülmektedir 23 . Cereda ve arkadaşlarının randomize kontrollü çalışmasında oral beslenme destekli grupta, daha yüksek protein kalori alımı ve zaman içinde yaşam kalitesinde iyileşme de gözlenmiştir (p <0.001).…”