Supplement Intake Among Older Cancer Survivors: Socio-Demographic Associations, Supplement Types, Reasons for Use, and Cost

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate associations between supplement intake and socio-demographic factors among older cancer survivors and to identify type of supplements, reasons for use, and cost. METHODS: This secondary analysis was performed on baseline data from 368 older cancer survivors enrolled in the Harvest for Health vegetable gardening intervention trial. Survivors self-identifying as supplement users reported data on prescribed, over-the counter, and dietary supplements. Chi-square tests were performed to identify associations among supplement use, cancer type, and socio-demographic variables. Descriptive analyses were used to identify common types, reasons of supplement intake, and total daily cost of supplements. RESULTS: More than half (59%) of the sample reported taking supplements. Female (OR 2.12, 95% CI 1.35–3.32), Non-Hispanic White (OR 1.78, 95% CI 1.06–3.01), and breast and gynecological cancer survivors (OR 1.58, 1.04–2.40) were significantly more likely to take a supplement compared to males, minorities, and other cancer-types (p-value < 0.05). Survivors reported a mean intake of three supplements, with vitamins (38%), multivitamins (22%), and minerals (12%) as the most prevalent. Commonly-reported reasons for supplement intake were to improve general health (47%), medical conditions (39%), and cancer-related symptoms (12%). Bone health was the most prevalent reason cited under medical conditions, and hair loss, fatigue, and sleep were most commonly reported under cancer-related symptoms. The daily cost of supplements ranged from $0.02–$19.81, with the mean, median and mode being $1.29/day, $0.78/day, and $0.34/day, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Nutritional supplement use is prevalent among older cancer survivors with overall health identified as the most common reason for supplement intake. Moreover, out-of-pocket recurrent costs can be substantial. These data emphasize the need to encourage a diet rich in nutrients to minimize daily cost of supplements among older survivors who may live on fixed incomes. Survivors should discuss proper use of supplements with their healthcare providers. FUNDING SOURCES: This work was supported by the National Cancer Institute and the American Cancer Society.