Integrating dietary supplements into cancer care Journal Article
| Authors: | Frenkel, M.; Abrams, D. I.; Ladas, E. J.; Deng, G.; Hardy, M.; Capodice, J. L.; Winegardner, M. F.; Gubili, J. K.; Yeung, K. S.; Kussmann, H.; Block, K. I. |
| Article Title: | Integrating dietary supplements into cancer care |
| Abstract: | Many studies confirm that a majority of patients undergoing cancer therapy use self-selected forms of complementary therapies, mainly dietary supplements. Unfortunately, patients often do not report their use of supplements to their providers. The failure of physicians to communicate effectively with patients on this use may result in a loss of trust within the therapeutic relationship and in the selection by patients of harmful, useless, or ineffective and costly nonconventional therapies when effective integrative interventions may exist. Poor communication may also lead to diminishment of patient autonomy and self-efficacy and thereby interfere with the healing response. To be open to the patient's perspective, and sensitive to his or her need for autonomy and empowerment, physicians may need a shift in their own perspectives. Perhaps the optimal approach is to discuss both the facts and the uncertainty with the patient, in order to reach a mutually informed decision. Today's informed patients truly value physicians who appreciate them as equal participants in making their own health care choices. To reach a mutually informed decision about the use of these supplements, the Clinical Practice Committee of The Society of Integrative Oncology undertook the challenge of providing basic information to physicians who wish to discuss these issues with their patients. A list of leading supplements that have the best suggestions of benefit was constructed by leading researchers and clinicians who have experience in using these supplements. This list includes curcumin, glutamine, vitamin D, Maitake mushrooms, fish oil, green tea, milk thistle, Astragalus, melatonin, and probiotics. The list includes basic information on each supplement, such as evidence on effectiveness and clinical trials, adverse effects, and interactions with medications. The information was constructed to provide an up-to-date base of knowledge, so that physicians and other health care providers would be aware of the supplements and be able to discuss realistic expectations and potential benefits and risks. © 2013 The Author(s). |
| Keywords: | treatment response; leukemia; hepatitis; placebo; dose response; drug safety; liver cell carcinoma; liver cirrhosis; nonhuman; patient selection; risk benefit analysis; pancreas cancer; clinical practice; medical decision making; unindexed drug; apoptosis; ovary cancer; breast cancer; bleeding; mucosa inflammation; neuropathy; thrombocytopenia; peripheral neuropathy; inflammation; calcium; hypercalcemia; practice guideline; calcitriol; oncology; cancer therapy; urogenital tract cancer; diet supplementation; acute lymphoblastic leukemia; digestive system cancer; prostate cancer; patient care; adverse outcome; prostatectomy; acetylsalicylic acid; nonsteroid antiinflammatory agent; vitamin d; lymphoma; medical society; health care personnel; physician; health care system; consultation; self concept; interpersonal communication; immunomodulation; antihypertensive agent; flavonoid; omega 3 fatty acid; alternative medicine; antioxidant; dietary supplements; probiotic agent; ascorbic acid; integrative medicine; epigallocatechin gallate; fish oil; drug bioavailability; informed consent; anticonvulsive agent; retinol; grifola frondosa; awareness; chronic lymphatic leukemia; enteropathy; glutamine; curcumin; antithrombocytic agent; anticoagulant agent; complementary medicine; green tea extract; herbal medicine; tea; docosahexaenoic acid; icosapentaenoic acid; loose feces; bloating; familial colon polyposis; rectum polyp; eructation; silymarin; healing; vitamins; cancer care; silybum marianum extract; silybum marianum; melatonin; empowerment; patient autonomy; nutritional supplements; calcifediol; flavonolignan; polyphenon e; astragalus plant |
| Journal Title: | Integrative Cancer Therapies |
| Volume: | 12 |
| Issue: | 5 |
| ISSN: | 1534-7354 |
| Publisher: | Sage Publications |
| Date Published: | 2013-09-01 |
| Start Page: | 369 |
| End Page: | 384 |
| Language: | English |
| DOI: | 10.1177/1534735412473642 |
| PROVIDER: | scopus |
| PUBMED: | 23439656 |
| DOI/URL: | |
| Notes: | --- - "Export Date: 1 October 2013" - "CODEN: ICTNA" - "Source: Scopus" |
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