Use of complementary/integrative nutritional therapies during cancer treatment: implications in clinical practice.
BACKGROUND
The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence and characterize the use of complementary/integrative nutritional therapies (CINTs) by patients during cancer treatment.


METHODS
This retrospective review used data collected as a part of standard clinical care provided by the registered clinical dietitians and included nutritional history, demographic variables, anthropometrics, prevalence of use, and the specific integrative nutritional therapies used by these patients during cancer treatment.


RESULTS
Twenty-nine percent of 820 patients reported use of CINTs not prescribed by their physician. Caucasians and patients over age 60 were the principal users of CINTs during treatment. Modular vitamins were the most frequently reported additive (86.9%), followed by botanicals/biologics (43.8%) and mineral supplements (28.6%).


CONCLUSIONS
A considerable proportion of cancer patients use unproven CINTs during cancer treatment. The health professional should become more aware of the complementary/integrative therapies that their patients are using during cancer treatment.
Kumar
Nagi B
NB
Department of Nutrition, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA. kumar@moffitt.usf.edu
Hopkins
Keandra
K
Allen
Kathy
K
Riccardi
Diane
D
Besterman-Dahan
Karen
K
Moyers
Susan
S
D000328:Adult; D001688:Biological Products / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D019587:Dietary Supplements / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004347:Drug Interactions; D005260:Female; D005431:Florida; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008903:Minerals / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014815:Vitamins / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use
D001688:Biological Products; D008903:Minerals; D028321:Plant Preparations; D014815:Vitamins