Epidemiology

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Cod liver oil, other dietary supplements and survival among cancer patients with solid tumours

  1. Guri Skeie1,†,*,
  2. Tonje Braaten1,
  3. Anette Hjartåker2,
  4. Magritt Brustad1,
  5. Eiliv Lund1

Article first published online: 11 MAR 2009

DOI: 10.1002/ijc.24422

Issue

International Journal of Cancer

International Journal of Cancer

Volume 125, Issue 5, pages 1155–1160, 1 September 2009

Additional Information

How to Cite

Skeie, G., Braaten, T., Hjartåker, A., Brustad, M. and Lund, E. (2009), Cod liver oil, other dietary supplements and survival among cancer patients with solid tumours. International Journal of Cancer, 125: 1155–1160. doi: 10.1002/ijc.24422

Author Information

  1. 1

    Institute of Community Medicine, University of Tromsø, Tromsø, Norway

  2. 2

    Cancer Registry of Norway, Oslo, Norway

  1. †

    Fax: +47-77644831.

*Institute of Community Medicine, University of Tromsø, N-9037 Tromsø, Norway

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 22 JUN 2009
  2. Article first published online: 11 MAR 2009
  3. Accepted manuscript online: 11 MAR 2009 12:00AM EST
  4. Manuscript Accepted: 26 FEB 2009
  5. Manuscript Received: 5 JAN 2009

Funded by

  • The Norwegian Foundation for Health and Rehabilitation (EXTRA funds) and the Norwegian Cancer Society

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Keywords:

  • cancer patients;
  • survival;
  • dietary supplements;
  • cohort study;
  • Norway

Abstract

The effect of various dietary supplements on chronic diseases and mortality has been widely studied, but few convincing results have emerged from studies in well-nourished populations. In Norway, both cod liver oil and other dietary supplements are frequently used. In the Norwegian Women and Cancer cohort study, we explored if supplement use before diagnosis affected survival of cancer patients with solid tumours. We performed Cox proportional hazards analyses, adjusting for age at diagnosis, smoking and stage. Cod liver oil was the most frequently used dietary supplement, followed by multivitamins and minerals. Whole year daily use of cod liver oil was associated with lower risk of death in patients with solid tumours [RR = 0.77 (95% CI 0.61–0.97)] and in lung cancer patients [RR=0.56 (95% CI 0.34–0.92)]. Also daily and occasional use of other dietary supplements decreased the risk of death among lung cancer patients [RR = 0.70 (95% CI 0.49–0.99) and 0.55 (95% CI 0.31–0.97)]. More research is needed to clarify the association; meanwhile adjustment for dietary supplement use should be performed in survival analyses of lung cancer patients. © 2009 UICC

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