Taking Certain Vitamins During Breast Cancer Chemo Tied to Recurrence, Death

According to a recent article in Reuters Health, a new study suggests that patients with breast cancer who use supplements during chemotherapy may be at an increased risk of recurrence and death.

Researchers report in the Journal of Oncology that the use of dietary supplements that boost levels of antioxidants, iron, vitamin B12 and omega-3 fatty acids appeared to lower the effectiveness of chemotherapy. Although doctors have advised patients not to take antioxidants during chemotherapy, there was no strong empirical data for that recommendation, according to Christine Ambrosone, chair of cancer prevention and control, and senior vice president for population sciences at the Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center in Buffalo, New York.

Click here to read the full article from Reuters Health.