Taking supplements while on treatment
Hello. My mam is currently undergoing treatment for lung cancer, she is receiving chemo ( carboplatin + paclitaxel ) and immunotherapy ( pembro ) and she will also need one session of radiation in the coming weeks. I was wondering whether it is safe for her to take supplements while on this treatment? I have read that ginger and turmeric are good for fighting cancer so she has been drinking herbal teas with ginger and I was going to get her some turmeric supplements but I am not sure if these will be ok as I have also read that they may interfere with the treatment and its best to get them from diet? Any advice is appreciated as it can be hard to get a hold of her medical team on the phone and she isn't back in for treatment for another two weeks
Comments
Not a doctor, but a friend who is says he hates with a passion the friends and relatives who encourage his patients to take supplements. They come in with a bag of vitamins and supplements and feel guilty if they are not taking them all, and they don't do anything useful.
You mum is getting really strong medications to treat her cancer, and she's got enough to deal with coping with the side effects of those. Ginger tea may possibly help with the sickness, but it certainly doesn't fight cancer. Tumeric may make her feel sicker.
Really, it's about trying to eat whatever she can tolerate.
If there are supplements which might help, her own medical team will tell her.
Thanks for your reply. I haven't been encouraging my mam to take anything. This is a really scary time for us as we have been told her cancer is treatable but not curable and it is very easy to go down a rabbit hole online when you are faced with this situation. I was feeling very helpless and just wanted to see if there was anything else that could help her and they were just some of the things I read about. I took the advice of the cancer nurse in the first response and spoke to her medical team about it anyway.
My health improved 100% when I stopped taking all western medicine and turned to a nutrition lifestyle by changing my eating habits and diet, I avoid prepackaged foods full of chemicals. I purchased Herbal Formula from World Rehabilitate Clinic, I was literally bedbound for about 3 years. But now I have NONE of the issues they diagnosed me with years ago....all done without the help of western medicine. I am not prescribing medicine or supplements but If anyone chose to follow the regimen I chose I will be happy for them, conversely if anyone chooses not to believe, I will fully understand that as I probably wouldn't believe the story if I hadn't lived it.
Hi Hopeful,
Thank you for your post on Ask a Nurse.
I am sorry to read that your mum is undergoing treatment for lung cancer. I do hope that she is tolerating her treatment ok.
It is important that your mum speaks with her team before commencing any supplements to ensure that these will not interact with her chemotherapy and immunotherapy and any supportive treatments. Your mum’s team may have to discuss this with one of the hospital pharmacists. Try to contact them again or ask your mum to speak with them at her next appointment.
If you would like to speak with one of our cancer nurses please contact the Support Line on 1800 200 700, Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm.
Kind regards,
Cancer Nurse