Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use in Radiotherapy: What Are Patients Using?

Gillett, J. D.; Ientile, Clare S; Hiscock, Joanne; Plank, Ashley; Martin, Jarad

doi:10.1089/acm.2011.0334

Cited by 37 publications

(46 citation statements)

References 29 publications

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“…25 This result supports previous Australian research that CAM use is as common in rural as metropolitan areas. 13 The higher CAM use in the current study compared with previous studies may be because of the sample size and the broader definition of previous CAM use.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

“…This may be problematic as media reports are often skewed toward a positive view on CAM. 28 Limited studies have investigated the trend and reasons for high CAM use, whether there are regional variations in CAM use among rural cancer patients 25,29 and whether information seeking behavior and disclosure of CAM use is comparable to metropolitan cohorts.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use in Cancer Patients in Rural Australia

2015

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Aim. Numerous studies have demonstrated the high prevalence of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use in metropolitan cancer cohorts but few have been conducted in regional and remote populations. This study aimed to investigate the trends and regional variations in CAM use by cancer patients at a regional cancer care center in Toowoomba, South East Queensland, Australia. Methods. All English-speaking adult cancer patients attending the regional cancer care center were invited to participate. Eligible patients were provided a self-administered questionnaire that was developed based on published surveys. Ethics approval was obtained. Results. Overall 142 patients completed the questionnaire and 68% were currently or had previously used at least one form of CAM. CAM users and nonusers did not differ significantly by region, age, gender, time since diagnosis, income, town size, treatment intent, or metastases. CAM users were more likely to have a higher level of education. Concurrent CAM use with conventional treatment was reported by approximately half of respondents. The most common reason for CAM use was "to improve general physical well-being." The most common sources of CAM information were family (31%) and friends (29%). Disclosure of CAM use to either the general practitioner or specialist was reported by 46% and 33% of patients, respectively. The most common reason for nondisclosure was "doctor never asked." Conclusion. This study supports previous research that CAM use is as common in regional and remote areas as metropolitan areas. Nondisclosure of CAM use to health professionals was common. Future research needs to focus on strategies to improve communication between patients and health professionals about the use of CAM.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use in Cancer Patients in Rural Australia

2015

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“…Nevertheless, though there remains much uncertainty as to the function of certain antioxidants and their effect on different primary tumor types, many patients will choose to use these alternative therapies on their own to reduce the side effects of radiotherapy. 17 Thus, a clinician's understanding of the role of antioxidants in the different physiologic pathways of radiation-induced skin injury is essential to properly advising his or her patient.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…16 Patients often seek out various alternative therapies to combat these skin changes and other radiotherapy-induced side effects. 17 Although many of these alternative therapies have not been fully evaluated, 18 antioxidants appear to be a promising…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Use of Antioxidants in Radiotherapy-Induced Skin Toxicity

2013

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Radiation-induced skin damage is one of the most common complications of radiotherapy. In order to combat these side effects, patients often turn to alternative therapies, which often include antioxidants. Antioxidants such as those in the polyphenol chemical class, xanthine derivatives, tocepherol, sucralfate, and ascorbate have been studied for their use in either preventing or treating radiotherapy-induced skin damage. Apart from their known role as free radical scavengers, some of these antioxidants appear to alter cytokine release affecting cutaneous and systemic changes. We review the role of antioxidants in treating and preventing radiation-induced skin damage as well as the possible complications of using such therapy.

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“…Depending on an author's perspective, the number of CAM therapies can range from four to 16 [7]. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) defines CAM as a group of diverse medical and health care systems, practices, and products that are not currently considered conventional medicine [4,8,9]. As so defined, CAM has a broad range of implications.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Changes in attitudes toward and patterns in traditional Korean medicine among the general population in South Korea: A comparison between 2008 and 2011

Koo¹

2015

Altern Integr Med

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Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use in Radiotherapy: What Are Patients Using?

Abstract: CAM is commonly used by patients with cancer. CAMs, particularly antioxidants, are being taken which could negate the underlying free-radical tumorcidal effects of radiotherapy. Oncologists need to have greater awareness of this use and of its potential adverse consequences.

Cited by 37 publications

References 29 publications

Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use in Cancer Patients in Rural Australia

Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use in Cancer Patients in Rural Australia

The Use of Antioxidants in Radiotherapy-Induced Skin Toxicity

Changes in attitudes toward and patterns in traditional Korean medicine among the general population in South Korea: A comparison between 2008 and 2011

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