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Clinic Notes: Is There Truly No Role for Supplements in Cancer Care?
I often see strong claims that there is no place for supplements in oncology. That they are universally ineffective, potentially harmful, and should be categorically avoided.
I understand where that concern comes from. In a field where evidence matters deeply, and where patients are uniquely vulnerable to misinformation, it is right to be cautious.
But from my perspective as a medical oncologist with a focus on integrative cancer care, those blanket statements miss important nuance.
It is true that most supplements lack high-quality evidence in cancer patients. Many are supported only by preclinical data or small observational studies. Some can interfere with treatment or add financial strain without clear benefit. That is why I evaluate each supplement carefully, with the same rigor I apply to any part of a patient’s care plan.
At the same time, there are a few supplements that have shown real benefit in well-conducted human trials.
One example is niacinamide, a form of vitamin B3. In a randomized, placebo-controlled trial published in the New England Journal of Medicine, patients with a history of non-melanoma skin cancer who took 500 mg twice daily had a 23 percent reduction in new skin cancers over the course of one year.
Other examples include ginger for chemotherapy-related nausea, vitamin D repletion in deficient patients, and ongoing research on dietary fiber and the microbiome’s role in immunotherapy response.
None of these are replacements for standard treatment. But in the right setting, and with the right evidence, some supplements can support quality of life, reduce risk, or address specific side effects.
So rather than asking, “Do supplements work?” I think the better question is:
Which ones? In which patients? With what evidence, what safety profile, and what value to the individual?
That is the heart of integrative oncology. It is thoughtful, patient-centered, and grounded in both science and common sense.
And in my opinion, that is simply good care.