Volume 29, Issue 161, July 2025

Supplements in Breast Cancer Care: Managing Side Effects and Navigating Drug–Supplement Interactions: A Narrative Review

Roksana Hrapkowicz^1♦, Agnieszka Czernecka², Kinga Świtała³, Maria Mroczka³, Dominik Tomczak⁴, Kinga Erazmus¹, Justyna Kuciel⁴, Karolina Jałocha⁵, Marek Borecki⁵, Patrycja Pysz³

¹Ludwik Rydygier Specialist Hospital, Os. Złotej Jesieni 1, 31-820 Kraków, Poland
²Hospital of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Administration, Kronikarza Galla 25, 30-053 Kraków, Poland
³V Military Hospital with Polyclinic, Wrocławska 1-3, 30-901 Kraków, Poland
⁴Chrzanów District Hospital, Topolowa 16, 32-500 Chrzanów, Poland
⁵Karol Marcinkowski University Hospital, Zyty 26, 65-046 Zielona Góra, Poland

^♦Corresponding author
Roksana Hrapkowicz; Ludwik Rydygier Specialist Hospital, Os. Złotej Jesieni 1, 31-820 Kraków, Poland

ABSTRACT

Background: Women diagnosed with breast cancer are more likely than other cancer patients to use supplements. Despite potential benefits, there is still a lack of clear data regarding their safety. It is also concerning that physicians are often insufficiently informed about this, and that awareness of potential interactions with treatment remains low. Aim: This narrative review aims to (1) evaluate the role of dietary supplements in managing breast cancer treatment-related side effects and (2) critically assess the risks associated with supplement use. Methods: We searched the literature on PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar for publications up to May 1, 2025. The research focused on the use of dietary supplements by adult breast cancer patients during or after their cancer therapy. We included 22 trials in the review after screening. Results: Certain supplements, such as ginger and glutamine, might help reduce nausea and gastrointestinal toxicity caused by chemotherapy. Conversely, numerous supplements— particularly antioxidants and herbal compounds—have shown worrisome interactions with treatment, possibly undermining treatment effectiveness. Although there may be benefits, numerous patients do not receive advice on the safe use of supplements, and awareness of their risks is often limited. Conclusion: Dietary supplements may help alleviate some side effects of breast cancer treatment, but there is a risk of interactions with ongoing therapy. Physicians should always actively ask patients about supplement intake. There is a need to develop clear safety guidelines.

Keywords: breast cancer, dietary supplements, side effect management, drugsupplement interactions

Medical Science, 2025, 29, e116ms3588

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.54905/disssi.v29i161.e116ms3588

Published: 25 July 2025