Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use in Cancer Patients in Rural Australia

Abstract

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.

Use of traditional and complementary medicines by cancer patients at a national cancer referral facility in a low‐income country

“…In this study, the most common types of T&CM used were extracts from leaves of various plants, mixed liquids already bottled, spiritual practices and prayers, and extracts from roots of various plants. Our findings are similar to those from other studies, in that patients with cancer often use several types of T&CM concurrently and or sequentially with each other, and with conventional cancer treatment (Galabuzi, Agea, Fungo, & Kamoga, ; Lee et al, ; Molassiotis et al, ; Sullivan, Gilbar, & Curtain, ). It is important to note the high proportion of T&CM users who engaged in spiritual practices and prayers as a means to deal with their cancers.…”

Natural Products & Complementary Medicines: where are we up to?

“…A survey conducted by researchers revealed that cancer patients began using CAM alongside conventional treatment because the latter sometimes fails to cure the majority of common cancers (Scott, Kearney et al 2005). Patients also found that the CAM-based treatments are accessible, affordable and relatively safe when compared to conventional medicine (Oh, Butow et al 2010;Erku 2016) Interestingly, despite the demographic origin of the cancer patients, studies reveal that CAM users are generally well educated, with an overall higher standard of education than non-CAM users (Scott, Kearney et al 2005;Farooqui, Hassali et al 2015;Sullivan, Gilbar et al 2015). It may be that those with higher educational qualifications are more inclined to investigate the potential benefits of new or alternative therapies, especially for serious diseases such as cancer.…”

“…It has been highlighted by several studies that patients using CAM in combination with conventional medicine were those in the more advanced stages of cancer. This is an indication that patients in the later stages are keen to try all possible therapies offered by healthcare professionals as they are often desperate to survive and have been fighting their disease for a long period of time (Sullivan, Gilbar et al 2015). …”

“…In the UK, relaxation and meditation techniques, spiritual or faith healing, reflexology, aromatherapy, and mineral and herbal products are the most common modalities used by cancer patients (Scott, Kearney et al 2005). In Malaysia, Japan, Palestine and Australia, nutritional supplements, herbal products and multivitamins are the most common CAM therapies (Hyodo, Amano et al 2005;Farooqui, Hassali et al 2015;Sullivan, Gilbar et al 2015;AliShtayeh, Jamous et al 2016). Multivitamins are also regularly used in the US, as well as chiropractic or osteopathic manipulation, movement therapies, special diets; such as organic vegetables and fruit, gluten free, casein free, no processed sugars or no salicylates; acupuncture, naturopathy, or different combinations of these therapies (Shih, Chiang et al 2009;Perrin, Coury et al 2012;Falci, Shi et al 2016).…”

The implementation of alternative therapies in cancer management

“…Βέβαια, η χρήση του βελονισµού για τα άτοµα µε καρκίνο δεν περιορίζεται µόνο στο πλαίσιο της παρηγορητικής αγωγής. Την τελευταία πενταετία, υπάρχουν πλήθος ερευνητικών µελετών που συστήνουν το βελονισµό ως µία αποτελεσµατική µέθοδο για την αντιµετώπιση της ναυτίας και του εµέτου που προκαλεί η συµβατική χηµειοθεραπευτική και αναλγητική αγωγή (Sullivan et al 2015).…”