Vitamin use after cancer questioned
Published: Feb. 1, 2008 at 4:39 PM
SEATTLE, Feb. 1 (UPI) -- A U.S. report suggested that not enough research has been conducted into the use of vitamin and mineral supplements among cancer survivors.
A review of scientific literature conducted by researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, found that 64 percent to 81 percent of cancer survivors reported using vitamins or minerals despite inconclusive evidence of any benefit.
"While supplement use may be beneficial for some patients, such as those who cannot eat a balanced diet, research suggests that certain supplements may actually interfere with treatment or even accelerate cancer growth," senior author Cornelia Ulrich of the Hutchinson Center's Public Health Sciences Division said Friday in a release.
The report found that up to 68 percent of cancer survivors who use supplements don't tell their doctors know what they are taking. Ulrich said patients who fail to disclose supplement use risk potential adverse effects.
"Some vitamins, such as folic acid, may be involved in cancer progression while others, such as St. John's wort, can interfere with chemotherapy," she said.
A review of scientific literature conducted by researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, found that 64 percent to 81 percent of cancer survivors reported using vitamins or minerals despite inconclusive evidence of any benefit.
"While supplement use may be beneficial for some patients, such as those who cannot eat a balanced diet, research suggests that certain supplements may actually interfere with treatment or even accelerate cancer growth," senior author Cornelia Ulrich of the Hutchinson Center's Public Health Sciences Division said Friday in a release.
The report found that up to 68 percent of cancer survivors who use supplements don't tell their doctors know what they are taking. Ulrich said patients who fail to disclose supplement use risk potential adverse effects.
"Some vitamins, such as folic acid, may be involved in cancer progression while others, such as St. John's wort, can interfere with chemotherapy," she said.
© 2008 United Press International. All Rights Reserved.
This material may not be reproduced, redistributed, or manipulated in any form.
This material may not be reproduced, redistributed, or manipulated in any form.
» Next in Science:
Ireland cuts way down on plastic bag use
In this image from NASA's Atmospheric Infrared Sounder instrument on NASA's Aqua spacecraft, Cyclone Nargis is pictured when it was a Category one hurricane located 370 miles west of Yangon, Myanmar on May 1, 2008. Tropical Cyclone Nargis flooded the region on May 4, 2008. The death toll from the cyclone and its aftermath is feared to hit or exceed 100,000 lives. (UPI Photo/NASA/MODIS Rapid Response Team)
NASA satellite images show Tropical Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar
Full Photo
| Slideshow
Latest Headlines
Most Popular