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.