Abstract P5-15-08: Dietary supplement use among BRCA1/2mutation carriers
Authors: Rogers Ryan , Rangarajan Tara , Uhley Virginia , Ivan Kristina , Zakalik Dana 
Published: March 2022

INTRODUCTIONWomen who carry BRCA1/2 mutations are at significantly increased risk of breast, ovarian, pancreatic and other cancer. Little is known regarding the use of dietary supplements among women harboring BRCA1/2 mutations. This study aims to characterize the utilization of and attitudes toward dietary supplement use in women who carry BRCA1/2 mutations. METHODSPatients identified through a cancer genetics clinic as harboring a BRCA1/2 mutation were invited to complete an electronic survey focused on their use of nutritional supplements. Inclusion criteria included female sex, age 21 years or older, confirmed BRCA1/2 mutation status, and no active cancer treatment. Participants answered questions regarding type of supplement, extent of physician involvement with dietary supplement usage, and perceptions toward dietary supplement use. A 10-point Likert-scale was used to measure the motivations for supplement use. RESULTSA total of 208 BRCA1/2 mutation carriers were invited to participate, and 68 surveys were completed. Patient characteristics are depicted in Table 1 and include high education level, active participation in exercise, and a significant uptake of risk-reducing surgery. Forty-nine participants (84%) reported using some type of dietary supplement including B vitamins, multivitamins, magnesium, zinc, fish oil, and turmeric being the most commonly reported. Twenty-seven patients (59%) reported that the supplements were not prescribed by a physician, however, 38 patients (70%) reported that their physician was aware of their supplement use. All respondents indicated that it is important for physicians to know what types of supplements they are taking, and the majority felt comfortable discussing this topic with their doctors. Patients reported that the motivating factors included enhancing the body’s immune system, reducing inflammation, and improving mood, stamina, and energy. Lastly, participants expressed an awareness that dietary supplements could be harmful and interact with other medications. CONCLUSIONOur results show a high utilization of dietary supplement use in women who carry a BRCA1/2 mutation, and while the majority of these supplements were not prescribed by a physician, patients placed high value on physician involvement with their supplement use. The primary motivators for use of dietary supplements in this high-risk population include benefit to the body’s immune system, and positive impact on mood, stamina, and energy. The results of this study underscore the significant interest in nutritional supplements in this high-risk population, but also reveal that there is room to improve upon physician engagement.

Table 1.Participant Demographic Information (N = 68)CharacteristicNo. (%)Age 18-25 26-34 35-39 40-49 50+3 (5.0%)12 (20.0%)7 (11.7%)10 (16.7%)28 (46.7%)Education Level High School or GED Some College College Degree Graduate/Professional Degree (PhD, MD)2 (3.3%)11 (18.3%)23 (38.3%)24 (40.0%)Past Breast Cancer/Ovarian Cancer Diagnosis Breast Cancer Ovarian Cancer22 (36.7%)2 (3.3%)Risk-Reducing Surgery Mastectomy Salpingo-Oophorectomy32 (53.3%)34 (56.7%)Moderate Exercise Every Day 2-3 Times per Week Once a Week Once or Twice a Month Rarely/Never15 (25.9%)26 (44.8%)10 (17.2%)2 (3.5%)5 (8.6%)

Citation Format: Ryan Rogers, Tara Rangarajan, Virginia Uhley, Kristina Ivan, Dana Zakalik. Dietary supplement use among BRCA1/2mutation carriers [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2021 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2021 Dec 7-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P5-15-08.