Dietary Supplement Use in Women Diagnosed with Breast Cancer

Meg Hauer; Anthony M Rossi; Betsy C Wertheim; Hilary B Kleppel; Jennifer W Bea; Janet L Funk

doi:10.1016/j.tjnut.2022.12.007

Dietary Supplement Use in Women Diagnosed with Breast Cancer

J Nutr. 2023 Jan;153(1):301-311. doi: 10.1016/j.tjnut.2022.12.007. Epub 2022 Dec 26.

Authors

Meg Hauer¹, Anthony M Rossi², Betsy C Wertheim³, Hilary B Kleppel², Jennifer W Bea⁴, Janet L Funk⁵

Affiliations

¹ College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA.
² Honors College, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA.
³ University of Arizona Cancer Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA.
⁴ University of Arizona Cancer Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA; Department of Health Promotion Sciences, Mel & Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA; Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA.
⁵ University of Arizona Cancer Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA; Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA; School of Nutritional Sciences & Wellness, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA. Electronic address: jfunk@u.arizona.edu.

Abstract

Background: Vitamins, minerals, and natural product (NP)-derived dietary supplements are commonly used among women with breast cancer, where interactions with treatments and the disease are possible, emphasizing the importance for health care providers to be aware of supplement use.

Objectives: The study aimed to investigate current vitamin/mineral (VM) and NP supplement use among those diagnosed with breast cancer, including usage based on tumor type or concurrent breast cancer treatments and primary information sources for specific supplements.

Methods: Social media recruiting to complete an online questionnaire self-reporting current VM and NP use and breast cancer diagnosis and treatment information primarily attracted US participants. Analyses, including multivariate logistic regression, were performed on 1271 women who self-reported breast cancer diagnosis and completed the survey.

Results: Most participants reported current VM (89.5%) and NP (67.7%) use, with 46.5% (VM) and 26.7% (NP) using at least 3 products concurrently. Top-reported (>15% prevalence) products were vitamin D, calcium, multivitamin, and vitamin C for VM and probiotics, turmeric, fish oil/omega-3 fatty acids, melatonin, and cannabis for NP. Overall, VM or NP use was higher among those with hormone receptor-positive tumors. Although overall NP use did not differ according to current breast cancer treatments, VM use was significantly less common among those currently undergoing chemotherapy or radiation, but higher with current endocrine therapy. Among current chemotherapy users, specific VM and NP supplements with possible adverse effects were still used by 23% of respondents. Medical providers were the primary information source for VM, whereas NP information sources were more varied.

Conclusions: Because women diagnosed with breast cancer commonly reported concurrent use of multiple VM and NP supplements, including those with known or underexplored risks (or benefits) in breast cancer, it is important for health care providers to inquire about and facilitate discussions regarding supplement use in this population.

Keywords: botanical; breast cancer; chemotherapy; dietary supplement; endocrine therapy; hormone receptor; mineral; natural product; vitamin.

Publication types

Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Dietary Supplements* / adverse effects
Logistic Models
Minerals
Neoplasms*
Surveys and Questionnaires
Vitamins / therapeutic use

Substances

Vitamins
Minerals