Men and women should educate themselves and use caution before taking nutritional supplements to reduce their cancer risks, according to experts at UT MD Anderson Cancer Center.
"Researchers are still unsure about whether or not minerals, herbs and other plants taken in pill, capsule, tablet or liquid form actually prevent cancer," said Sally Scroggs, health education manager at UT MD Anderson's Cancer Prevention Center.
Results from the Women's Health Study and The Physicians' Health Study II found that vitamins E and C do not prevent cancer. The Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial showed similar results, suggesting these supplements didn't help prevent prostate cancer.
Other studies have suggested that supplements may actually increase cancer risk by tilting the balance of nutrients in the body.
"If you eat lots of vegetables, fruits, whole grains and beans, you should get the nutrients, including fiber, vitamins and minerals, your body needs to lower your chances of getting diseases like cancer," Scroggs said. "Taking a pill can't replace a healthy diet."
Scroggs recommends that men and women fill their diet with foods packed with cancer-fighting nutrients such as beta-carotene, selenium, lycopene, resveratol, and vitamins A, C, and E.
Supplements may benefit some
More research is necessary to truly understand the relationship between supplements and cancer risk. Still, Scroggs said, there are some situations when a person might benefit from taking a supplement. This is especially true for men and women who are not getting enough nutrients because of food allergies, genetics or chronic illnesses.
Here are a few examples of when supplements may be appropriate: