The Use of Dietary Supplements in Cancer Patients
Background and objectives: The use of dietary supplements is extremely common among cancer patients. It is estimated that 20–90% of cancer patients use some form of dietary supplement. Most often, they are “self-selected” supplements or selected from unverified Internet sources, without consulting a...
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MDPI AG
2024-01-01
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| author | Nevena Ćorić Ana Vukoja Ines Banjari |
| author_facet | Nevena Ćorić Ana Vukoja Ines Banjari |
| author_sort | Nevena Ćorić |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background and objectives: The use of dietary supplements is extremely common among cancer patients. It is estimated that 20–90% of cancer patients use some form of dietary supplement. Most often, they are “self-selected” supplements or selected from unverified Internet sources, without consulting a specialist. Components in such supplements can interact with the applied therapy and impact cancer patients’ treatment. The aim of this study was to examine the frequency and type of supplementation used by cancer patients. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted on 52 cancer patients (mean age: 58 years) by using a study-specific questionnaire, conducted between February and July 2022 at the University Clinical Hospital Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Results: More than half of the respondents (62%) use some dietary or herbal supplements daily. The most common dietary supplements were probiotics (22%), B complex vitamins (22%), and vitamin D (22%). Patients (46.8%) used supplements based on their own or their family–friend’s recommendation, and 90% of them started to use supplementation during therapy. The main reason for use, as stated by 71.8% of the respondents, was to support immunity. Approximately 56.2% of them said that they had noticed a positive effect on their health. It is concerning that 78.8% of patients did not research the possible side effects and risks of taking supplements during therapy. Conclusions: Doctors, nutritionists, and nurses should improve communication with patients by giving them reliable information and evidence-based recommendations about dietary supplements and complementary therapy in general. During consultations, professionals should offer assistance and discuss potential benefits and risks with the patient in order to achieve a mutually informed decision on dietary supplement use. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-5add00ff9db5427bba2a48504da50f1f |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2504-3900 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Proceedings |
| spelling | doaj-art-5add00ff9db5427bba2a48504da50f1f2025-08-20T02:42:29ZengMDPI AGProceedings2504-39002024-01-0191113110.3390/proceedings2023091131The Use of Dietary Supplements in Cancer PatientsNevena Ćorić0Ana Vukoja1Ines Banjari2Service for Patient Food and Nutrition, University Clinical Hospital Mostar, Bijeli Brijeg bb, 88000 Mostar, Bosnia and HerzegovinaFaculty of Agriculture and Food Technology, University of Mostar, Biskupa Čule bb, 88000 Mostar, Bosnia and HerzegovinaDepartment of Food and Nutrition Research, Faculty of Food Technology, University of Osijek, Franje Kuhača 18, 31000 Osijek, CroatiaBackground and objectives: The use of dietary supplements is extremely common among cancer patients. It is estimated that 20–90% of cancer patients use some form of dietary supplement. Most often, they are “self-selected” supplements or selected from unverified Internet sources, without consulting a specialist. Components in such supplements can interact with the applied therapy and impact cancer patients’ treatment. The aim of this study was to examine the frequency and type of supplementation used by cancer patients. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted on 52 cancer patients (mean age: 58 years) by using a study-specific questionnaire, conducted between February and July 2022 at the University Clinical Hospital Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Results: More than half of the respondents (62%) use some dietary or herbal supplements daily. The most common dietary supplements were probiotics (22%), B complex vitamins (22%), and vitamin D (22%). Patients (46.8%) used supplements based on their own or their family–friend’s recommendation, and 90% of them started to use supplementation during therapy. The main reason for use, as stated by 71.8% of the respondents, was to support immunity. Approximately 56.2% of them said that they had noticed a positive effect on their health. It is concerning that 78.8% of patients did not research the possible side effects and risks of taking supplements during therapy. Conclusions: Doctors, nutritionists, and nurses should improve communication with patients by giving them reliable information and evidence-based recommendations about dietary supplements and complementary therapy in general. During consultations, professionals should offer assistance and discuss potential benefits and risks with the patient in order to achieve a mutually informed decision on dietary supplement use.https://www.mdpi.com/2504-3900/91/1/131cancer patientsdietary supplementsnutrition counseling |
| spellingShingle | Nevena Ćorić Ana Vukoja Ines Banjari The Use of Dietary Supplements in Cancer Patients Proceedings cancer patients dietary supplements nutrition counseling |
| title | The Use of Dietary Supplements in Cancer Patients |
| title_full | The Use of Dietary Supplements in Cancer Patients |
| title_fullStr | The Use of Dietary Supplements in Cancer Patients |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Use of Dietary Supplements in Cancer Patients |
| title_short | The Use of Dietary Supplements in Cancer Patients |
| title_sort | use of dietary supplements in cancer patients |
| topic | cancer patients dietary supplements nutrition counseling |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2504-3900/91/1/131 |
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