Abstract
ObjectiveTo evaluate associations between quality of life (QOL) and use of ginseng and Ganoderma lucidum (G. lucidum) among breast cancer survivors.MethodsIncluded in this study were 4,149 women with breast cancer who participated in the Shanghai Breast Cancer Survival Study. Ginseng use was assessed at 6-, 18-, and 36-month post-diagnosis surveys; G. lucidum use was assessed at the 6- and 36-month surveys. QOL was evaluated at the 6- and 36-month surveys. Multiple linear regression models were used to examine associations between ginseng and G.lucidum use and QOL assessed at the 36-month survey, with adjustment for potential confounders and baseline QOL.ResultsAt 6 months post-diagnosis, 14.2% of participants reported regular use of ginseng and 58.8% reported use of G. lucidum. We found no significant associations between ginseng use at 6, 18, and 36 months post-diagnosis and participants’ total QOL score or individual scores for psychological, physical, or social well-being. Post-diagnosis G. lucidum use was positively associated with social well-being (adjusted mean difference: 1.26; 95% CI: 0.66, 1.86), but was inversely associated with physical well-being (adjusted mean difference: −1.16; 95% CI: −1.86, −0.47) with a dose-response pattern observed for cumulative number of times of use (P for trend <0.001 for both).ConclusionWe found no evidence that post-diagnosis ginseng use improved the QOL of breast cancer survivors. Post-diagnosis G. lucidum use was associated with better social well-being scores, but poorer physical well-being scores.
Highlights
Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer among women worldwide, and the number of breast cancer survivors continues to grow due to advances in early detection and treatment [1,2,3]
Study Population Study participants were breast cancer patients who enrolled in the Shanghai Breast Cancer Survival Study (SBCSS), a population-based, prospective study conducted in Shanghai, China
We focused on evaluation of ginseng or G. lucidum use and quality of life (QOL), because these were the most common herbal preparations taken by breast cancer patients in our study population and they are labeled as aids for cancer recovery on the market
Summary
Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer among women worldwide, and the number of breast cancer survivors continues to grow due to advances in early detection and treatment [1,2,3]. Breast cancer patients often use herbal medicines in conjunction with conventional cancer treatments, to relieve cancer-related symptoms and boost their immune system, with the expectation of improved QOL [7,8,9]. Whether post-diagnosis use of herbal medicines improves breast cancer survivors’ QOL remains to be determined. Evidence-based information on the association between ginseng use and QOL is inconsistent and limited, among patients with cancer [13,15,16]. Besides being used for promoting health, it is used for prevention or treatment of a variety of diseases, including cancer [12]. To date, no clinical or epidemiological studies have described the influence of G. lucidum use after cancer diagnosis on clinical outcomes or survivor’s QOL
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