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Dietary supplement use among participants of a databank and biorepository at a comprehensive cancer centre

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 May 2014

LeQuyen Luc
Affiliation:
Department of Cancer Prevention and Control, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Elm and Carlton Streets, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA D’Youville College, Buffalo, NY, USA
Charlotte Baumgart
Affiliation:
D’Youville College, Buffalo, NY, USA
Edward Weiss
Affiliation:
D’Youville College, Buffalo, NY, USA
Lesley Georger
Affiliation:
D’Youville College, Buffalo, NY, USA
Christine B Ambrosone
Affiliation:
Department of Cancer Prevention and Control, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Elm and Carlton Streets, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA
Gary Zirpoli
Affiliation:
Department of Cancer Prevention and Control, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Elm and Carlton Streets, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA
Susan E McCann*
Affiliation:
Department of Cancer Prevention and Control, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Elm and Carlton Streets, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA
*
* Corresponding author: Email Susan.mccann@roswellpark.org
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Abstract

Objective

We assessed the prevalence, patterns and predictors of dietary supplement use among participants of the databank and biorepository (DBBR) at a comprehensive cancer centre in western New York.

Design

Archived epidemiological questionnaire data were obtained from the DBBR at Roswell Park Cancer Institute. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression explored the prevalence, patterns and predictors of lifetime use of four common supplements (multivitamins, vitamin C, vitamin E and calcium) and use of multivitamins, sixteen single vitamins/minerals and eighteen herbal/specialty supplements within the previous 10 years.

Setting

Western New York, USA.

Subjects

DBBR participants (n 8096) enrolled between December 2003 and July 2012 were included in these analyses: 66·9 % (n 5418) with cancer, 65·6 % (n 5309) women, mean age for patients v. cancer-free controls 59·9 (sd 12·6) years and 50·7 (sd 15·4) years, respectively.

Results

Overall, 54·4 % of DBBR participants reported lifetime use of one or more supplements and 63·1 % reported use of one or more supplements within the previous 10 years (excluding multivitamins). Multivitamin use was high in this sample (lifetime: 64·1 %; 10 years: 71·3 %; current: 51·8 %). Supplementation was higher among cancer-free controls than cancer patients. Vitamin C, calcium and fish oil were the most common single vitamin, mineral and specialty product, respectively.

Conclusions

A consistently high and increasing proportion of dietary supplement use over time remains clear. Supplementation is prevalent among cancer patients and may even be higher than predicted in cancer-free individuals. Further studies should assess the safety and efficacy of specific supplements in reducing disease risk.

Information

Type
Research Papers
Copyright
Copyright © The Authors 2014 
Figure 0

Table 1 Descriptive characteristics of cancer patients and cancer-free controls (n 8096) participating in the databank and biorepository at a comprehensive cancer centre in western New York, USA, December 2003–July 2012

Figure 1

Table 2 Clinical characteristics of the cancer patients participating in the databank and biorepository at a comprehensive cancer centre in western New York, USA, December 2003–July 2012

Figure 2

Table 3 Overall prevalence of dietary supplement use and the most commonly used supplements among participants (n 8096) of the databank and biorepository at a comprehensive cancer centre in western New York, USA, December 2003–July 2012

Figure 3

Table 4 Sociodemographic and lifestyle factors associated with dietary supplement use among participants (n 8096) of the databank and biorepository at a comprehensive cancer centre in western New York, USA, December 2003–July 2012

Figure 4

Table 5 Associations between cancer variables and lifetime, 10-year and current multivitamin use among participants of the databank and biorepository at a comprehensive cancer centre in western New York, USA, December 2003–July 2012

Figure 5

Table 6 Associations between cancer variables and any use of vitamin C, vitamin E and/or calcium over the lifetime among participants of the databank and biorepository at a comprehensive cancer centre in western New York, USA, December 2003–July 2012

Figure 6

Table 7 Associations between cancer variables and any use of single vitamins, minerals, herbals and/or specialty supplements in the previous 10 years among participants of the databank and biorepository at a comprehensive cancer centre in western New York, USA, December 2003–July 2012

Supplementary material: File

Luc Supplementary Material

Tables S1-S13

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