Cancer patients’ use of complementary and alternative medicine in Sweden: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

BackgroundAccess to and advice on Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) are uncommon within Swedish conventional cancer care and little is known about cancer patients’ own use of CAM. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to explore Swedish cancer patients´ patterns of CAM use, their experiences and preferences.MethodsQuestionnaires were distributed consecutively to 1297 cancer patients at a university hospital’s out-patient oncology units. The response rate was 58% (n = 755). Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the survey data. A logistic regression model was used to investigate the association between CAM use and gender, age and level of education. Open-ended responses were analyzed, using qualitative content analysis.ResultsLifetime CAM use was reported by 34% (n = 256), and 26% (n = 198) used CAM after cancer diagnosis. Being female, younger and having higher education predicted CAM use. Most commonly used methods were natural products including vitamins and minerals and relaxation. Main reasons for CAM use were improvement of physical, general and emotional wellbeing and increasing the body’s ability to fight cancer. Satisfaction with CAM usage was generally high. Reported adverse effects were few and mild; 54% of users spent < 50 Euro a month on CAM. One third had discussed their CAM use with cancer care providers. More than half of all participants thought that cancer care providers should be able to discuss (58%) and to consider (54%) use of CAM modalities in cancer care.ConclusionsDespite limited access and advice within conventional cancer care, one fourth of Swedish cancer patients use CAM. The insufficient patient-provider dialogue diverges with most patients’ wish for professional guidance in their decisions and integration of CAM modalities in conventional cancer care. Concurrent and multimodal CAM use implies challenges and possibilities for cancer care that need to be considered.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s12906-019-2452-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Efficacy of the complementary therapies in the management of cancer pain in palliative care: A systematic review

“…The clinical use and assessment of the potential benefits of the complementary therapies in the treatment of cancer patients has recently increased in both pediatric (18)(19)(20)(21)(22) and adult patients (23)(24)(25)(26) . Among the manipulation practices based on the body, the therapeutic massage stands out as the most commonly used complementary therapy modality (41)(42) .…”

“…The NCCAM categorizes them mainly as: use of natural products; body and mind practices; and body-based manipulation practices (17) . Over the past three decades, the use of CTs has increased considerably both in pediatric patients (18)(19)(20)(21)(22) and in the adult population (23)(24)(25)(26) . However, the efficacy of the CTs for cancer pain management in adults with cancer in palliative care is still a gap in the scientific literature (11) .…”

Efficacy of mistletoe extract as a complement to standard treatment in advanced pancreatic cancer: study protocol for a multi-centre, parallel group, double-blind, randomised controlled clinical trial (MISTRAL)

“…Many cancer patients use and value complementary therapies [63] including ME preparations [12,14,64] and express a wish for evidence and professional guidance in their decisions -a precondition for patient safety and satisfaction. Systematic research is needed to enable professional guidance.…”

“…This is likely to be partially caused by the widespread knowledge, use and popularity of ME in Germany [66]. Sweden is a country with low usage and rare prescription of ME: s [64] and should therefore provide a more feasible study environment for recruitment and retainment of participants in a placebocontrolled ME trial design.…”

Clinical Pharmacists in Chronic Care

“…Cancer cachexia (anorexia, weight loss, loss of adipose tissue and skeletal muscle) is reported in 30%-80% cancer patients and causes 20% of all cancer deaths [379]. Worldwide, some 60%-80% people depend on alternative medicines [380][381][382], which is also true for nearly 40% to 70% European [383,384], 50% Italian, 40% Korean, 30% British [385] and up to 87% of Australian cancer patients [386]. Use of unapproved/ unlabeled/wrong herbal treatment is not uncommon [387,388] and also drug interactions reported phytotherapeutics in oncology [389].…”