#1628 Use of Herbal and Vitamin Therapies (HV) in Adult Cancer Patients: Assessement of Potential Chemotherapy-HV Interactions. JS McCune, GK Ellis, P Leith, L Winter, AA Rendlemen, HH Gillenwater, RB Livingston; University of Washington, Seattle, WA, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA Althought the increasing use of complementary & alternative medicine (CAM) is well-documented, more information is needed on the frequency of HB use and specific HV used by cancer patients to assess the risk of chemotherapy-HV interactions. Methods: A 4-page questionnaire was developed to assess: 1) relevant demographic information for CAM use 2 malignancy-related information (type, chemotherapy administration within the last 30 days) 3) use of other CAM (e.g., homeopathy) 4) HV therapy related information (use before and after cancer diagnosis; use within 30 days prior to questionnaire, rationale for use, sources of information concerning HV) From a list of 50, HV patients circled the HV therapy used within the previous 30 days, their frequency of use and perceived benefit. The questionnaire was validated with results from personal, confidential interviews (% match=76%). Questionnaires were placed in the waiting area of the chemotherapy outpatient clinic. Results: 50 patients completed the questionnaire after informed consent was obtained. Demographic characteristics were: median age 51 yrs; 76% women; 98% Caucasian; 56% finished college or graduate/professional education; 40% annual income $65,000; 80% solid tumors (40% breast cancer); 10% leukemia; 10% lymphoma; 40% receiving chemotherapy. HV was used by 74% and 65% of patients after cancer diagnosis and within 30 days of questionnaire respectively. The most commonly used HV were predominantly vitamins, specifically: vitamin E (% using=64%); vitamin C (62%); vitamin A (32%); B vitamins (34%); selenium (30%); zinc (30%); garlic (20%); coenzyme Q10 (13%); echinacea (13%); ginseng (12%). 85% of HV use was daily. 16 of the 20 patients receiving chemotherapy took HV in the previous 30 days, with 4 patients using HV with bleeding side effects (ginger, b\gingko, garlic) and 2 patients using HV that change cytochrome P450 activity (milk thistle, St.John’s Wort). Changes in cytochrome P450 activity could change the efficacy or toxicity of the oazaphosphorines, taxanes, and epipodophyllotoxins. Conclusions: Daily HV use is frequent in adult cancer patients, including those receiving chemotherapy. Further work is need to identify chemotherapy-HV interactions that are clinically relevant. Widespread use among breast cancer pts Remember we are NOT Doctors and have NO medical training. This site is like an Encylopedia - there are many pages, many links on many topics. Support our work with any size DONATION - see left side of any page - for how to donate. You can help raise awareness of CAM.