Recent Blog Articles
5 inflammation-fighting food swaps
Is IBD an underrecognized health problem in minority groups?
Sickle cell disease in newborns and children: What families should know and do
COVID-19 vaccines for children and teens: What we do — and don’t — know
Happy trails: Take a hike, now
Sleep well — and reduce your risk of dementia and death
COVID-19 vaccines and the LGBTQ+ community
Polycystic ovary syndrome and the skin
Dental appliances for sleep apnea: Do they work?
Terrified of needles? That can affect your health
Keeping cancer from coming back
Should cancer survivors take vitamin supplements? Aspirin may be a better bet.
About 12 million Americans are cancer survivors, and the number is almost certainly going to increase because of early detection, better treatment, and an aging population. After the first encounter with the disease and the ordeal of treatment, attention swivels to what can be done to prevent a second one. As many as a third of cancer survivors start taking vitamin and mineral supplements. But should they? The American Cancer Society recommends staying away from high-dose supplements and sticking to the standard multivitamin just to fill in the nutritional gaps left by less-than-perfect diets. Other cancer organizations are similarly cautious.
To continue reading this article, you must log in.
Subscribe to Harvard Health Online for immediate access to health news and information from Harvard Medical School.
- Research health conditions
- Check your symptoms
- Prepare for a doctor's visit or test
- Find the best treatments and procedures for you
- Explore options for better nutrition and exercise
I'd like to receive access to Harvard Health Online for only $4.99 a month.
Sign Me UpAlready a member? Login ».
Disclaimer:
As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles. No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.