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BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies

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Open Access 01-12-2011 | Research article

Use of multivitamins, folic acid and herbal supplements among breast cancer survivors: the black women's health study

Authors: Mireille Bright-Gbebry, Kepher H Makambi, JoyAnn Phillips Rohan, Adana A Llanos, Lynn Rosenberg, Julie R Palmer, Lucile L Adams-Campbell

Published in: BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies | Issue 1/2011

Abstract

Background

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use, including herbals and multivitamin supplements, is quite common in the U.S., and has been shown to be highest in breast cancer survivors. However, limited data are currently available for CAM usage among African Americans. Thus, we sought to determine the prevalence of multivitamins, folic acid and herbal supplement usage in African American breast cancer survivors, and to compare the characteristics of users and nonusers.

Methods

A cohort study of breast cancer survivors, who completed the 1999 Black Women's Health Study questionnaire and self-reported having been diagnosed with breast cancer between 1995 and 1999, comprised the study population. In this study, the intake of natural herbs, multivitamins and folic acid at least three days per week within the past two years was used as a proxy for typical usage of this complimentary alternative medicine (CAM) modality.

Results

A total of 998 breast cancer survivors were identified. Overall, 68.2% had used either herbals or multivitamin supplements or both. The three most frequently used herbals were garlic (21.2%), gingko (12.0%), and echinacea (9.4%). The multivariate analysis determined that single marital status (OR = 1.58; 95%CI: 1.04-2.41), and alcohol consumption of 1-3 drinks per week (OR = 1.86, 95%CI: 1.28-2.68) were significantly associated with increased herbal use. Multivitamin use was significantly lower among obese women (OR = 0.66, 95%CI: 0.46-0.94) and current smokers (OR = 0.53, 95%CI: 0.34-0.82).

Conclusions

A significant number of African American breast cancer survivors are using herbals and multivitamins as CAM modality. Additional research is needed to understand the impact of herbals and multivitamins in African American breast cancer survivors.

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The pre-publication history for this paper can be accessed here:http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6882/11/30/prepub

Title: Use of multivitamins, folic acid and herbal supplements among breast cancer survivors: the black women's health study
Authors: Mireille Bright-Gbebry
Kepher H Makambi
JoyAnn Phillips Rohan
Adana A Llanos
Lynn Rosenberg
Julie R Palmer
Lucile L Adams-Campbell
Publication date: 01-12-2011
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies / Issue 1/2011
Electronic ISSN: 2662-7671
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6882-11-30

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Use of multivitamins, folic acid and herbal supplements among breast cancer survivors: the black women's health study

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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