Supplements ‘risk worse outcomes’ for cancer patients

CANCER patients taking supplements during treatment could be at risk of worse outcomes, experts have warned.

A study by Mayo Clinic in Minnesota in the US found that 91 per cent of cancer patients take some form of supplement, with Vitamin D, probiotics and multivitamins being the most popular.

The experts recommended some 35 per cent of patients who were taking some form of supplement should stop.

They warned taking such pills, or other natural therapies including extreme diets, raised the risk of toxicity.

Supplements also increased the risk of interacting with and decreasing the effectiveness of the cancer treatment. Patients in the study were on treatment such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy.

Dr Stacy D’andre, an oncologist and lead author, said: “I was surprised at how many patients take supplements and have used alternative therapies.

“These can be dangerous in several ways – they can be directly toxic, can interact with other medications and lead to increased side effects, they may decrease the effectiveness of cancer treatments, they are expensive and supplements are not regulated.

“It is essential that care teams know what patients take to ensure safety.

“We need to do a better job of educating the public that supplements or ‘natural’ therapies are not always safe.”

Cancer Research UK has warned patients to check with a doctor before taking any supplements to ensure they won’t interfere with their treatment.

The findings were presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology conference in Chicago.