Natural products for cancer prevention.

OBJECTIVES

To review the clinical trial literature on the use and effects of natural products for cancer prevention.

DATA SOURCES: Clinical trials published in PubMed.

CONCLUSION

There is a growing body of literature on the use of natural products for cancer prevention. To date, few trials have demonstrated conclusive benefit. Current guidelines recommend against the use of natural products for cancer prevention.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: Clinicians should ask patients about their use of natural products and motivations for use. If patients are using natural products for cancer prevention, they should be counseled on the current guidelines, as well as their options for other cancer prevention strategies.