A new study by researchers from Columbia University provides more evidence of a problematic link between cancer and the use of antioxidants. Although a number of studies have shown that the use of antioxidants can diminish the effectiveness of chemotherapy, the findings by these researchers suggest that physicians may still be reluctant to communicate the potential link to patients and/or many cancer patients may be ignoring the possibility that such a link exists.

In their study led by Dr. Heather Greenlee at Columbia, researchers looked at antioxidant supplement use among 663 women receiving chemotherapy, radiation, or hormone therapy for breast cancer. Among these women, 60.5 percent reported using antioxidants supplements including vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotene, and selenium. The majority of those using antioxidants were using them at very high does - well above recommended doses.

In comments published online by Wiley-Blackwell Press who will be publishing the results in the July 15th edition of Cancer, the researchers suggested that, “Given the common use of antioxidant supplements during breast cancer treatment, often at high doses and in conjunction with other complementary therapies, future research should address the effects of antioxidant supplementation on breast cancer outcomes, including whether antioxidants affect treatment toxicities, treatment efficacy, cancer recurrence, and survival."

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