Evaluating the Demand for Integrative Medicine Practices in Breast and Gynecological Cancer Patients

Schuerger, Nikolas; Klein, Evelyn; Hapfelmeier, Alexander; Kiechle, Marion; Brambs, Christine; Paepke, D.

doi:10.1159/000492235

Cited by 24 publications

(26 citation statements)

References 53 publications

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“…Our findings reveal that 51.7% of ambulatory patients use, or have used DS. Similar results in patients with cancer have been described elsewhere (Alsanad et al 2016;Jermini et al 2019;Luo and Asher 2018;Schuerger et al 2019). In accordance to some studies (Alsanad et al 2016;Friedman et al 2019;Jermini et al 2019;Konig et al 2016;Schuerger et al 2019), our data shows a significantly higher frequency of DS use among women.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 88%

Dietary supplement use in ambulatory cancer patients: a survey on prevalence, motivation and attitudes

Tank

Franz

Cereda

et al. 2021

J Cancer Res Clin Oncol

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Purpose Patients with cancer often believe dietary supplements (DS) such as micronutrients and botanical products to be health supporting and non-toxic despite growing concerns regarding potential pharmacological interactions. Studies on the prevalence of DS use among patients with cancer are heterogeneous and mainly conducted at university-based cancer centers. This survey focused on a particular cancer patient group treated in an ambulatory setting without regular access to professional nutritional counselling. Methods Patients with a history of cancer or hematological malignancy were included in this survey. A self-reported questionnaire was used to evaluate the different aspects of DS use, changes in dietary habits and patients’ demographic characteristics. Results Almost every second patient reported using DS (47.2%). Women (56.3%), patients with an academic degree (56.0%) and non-smokers (84.8%) were more inclined to use DS. Along with magnesium (16.6%), calcium (14.3%), multivitamins (12.0%) and vitamin C (9.4%), use of herbal supplements (12.6%) was common. Women (84.8% vs. 74.9% of men, p = < 0.001) and patients younger than 65 years (84.4% vs. 77.2% of patients > 65 y, p = 0.002) sought dietary advice more often. Support of the immune system was the main reason for DS use (26.4%) and a relevant number of patients (49.6%) reported to have changed their dietary habits following cancer diagnosis. Conclusion DS use is common among patients with cancer treated in an ambulatory setting. This finding should encourage oncologists to implement detailed questioning about DS use and dietary habits to prevent potential interactions and offer substantial advice.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 88%

Dietary supplement use in ambulatory cancer patients: a survey on prevalence, motivation and attitudes

Tank

Franz

Cereda

et al. 2021

J Cancer Res Clin Oncol

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“…Chemoresistance, along with severe side effects under conventional treatment, drive many cancer patients to complementary or alternative medicine (CAM) treatment options. Indeed, integrative medicine, especially green chemoprevention, has become very popular, particularly for patients with advanced tumors and a poor prognosis with conventional therapy [ 8 , 9 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Bladder Cancer Metastasis Induced by Chronic Everolimus Application Can Be Counteracted by Sulforaphane In Vitro

Justin

Rutz

Maxeiner

et al. 2020

IJMS

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Chronic treatment with the mTOR inhibitor, everolimus, fails long-term in preventing tumor growth and dissemination in cancer patients. Thus, patients experiencing treatment resistance seek complementary measures, hoping to improve therapeutic efficacy. This study investigated metastatic characteristics of bladder carcinoma cells exposed to everolimus combined with the isothiocyanate sulforaphane (SFN), which has been shown to exert cancer inhibiting properties. RT112, UMUC3, or TCCSUP bladder carcinoma cells were exposed short- (24 h) or long-term (8 weeks) to everolimus (0.5 nM) or SFN (2.5 µM), alone or in combination. Adhesion and chemotaxis along with profiling details of CD44 receptor variants (v) and integrin α and β subtypes were evaluated. The functional impact of CD44 and integrins was explored by blocking studies and siRNA knock-down. Long-term exposure to everolimus enhanced chemotactic activity, whereas long-term exposure to SFN or the SFN-everolimus combination diminished chemotaxis. CD44v4 and v7 increased on RT112 cells following exposure to SFN or SFN-everolimus. Up-regulation of the integrins α6, αV, and β1 and down-regulation of β4 that was present with everolimus alone could be prevented by combining SFN and everolimus. Down-regulation of αV, β1, and β4 reduced chemotactic activity, whereas knock-down of CD44 correlated with enhanced chemotaxis. SFN could, therefore, inhibit resistance-related tumor dissemination during everolimus-based bladder cancer treatment.

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“…This is congruent with published data. 11 , 26 , 28 While other data showed, that especially young women with metastatic breast cancer use CAM, 7 only 25% of our surveyed patients where in a palliative treatment situation. Interestingly, the M D Anderson Cancer Center used complementary treatment approaches especially during progression or failure of primary treatment.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 70%

“…[22][23][24][25] Furthermore, in only 1% 14 0 recommendations for integrative medicine therapies were advised by physicians. 22,26 This is contrary to patients demands, who desire a consultation from their oncologist and wish an extensive and high qualitative counseling interview. 11,27 At the gynecological and breast cancer center every patient with breast or gynecological cancer under adjuvant, neoadjuvant or palliative therapy is able to participate in the ZIGG program.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 96%

Evaluation of an Expert Guided Integrative Therapy Concept in Patients With Breast or Gynecological Cancer During Systemic Therapy

Schmidt

Mathes

Klein

et al. 2020

J Evid Based Complementary Altern Med

Self Cite

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Purpose. Breast and gynecological cancer patients undergoing systemic therapy frequently request integrative therapy concepts. The potential of integrative therapy (IM) lies in minimizing side effects of conventional cancer treatments and therefore decreasing treatment delays. IM can help to improve patients’ physical and emotional well-being, optimizing health and quality of life as IM involves patients in their own treatment. A counseling service for integrative medicine concepts as an outpatient program was implemented in our cancer center in 2013. Methods. In 2016 and 2017 144 breast and gynecological cancer patients were included into our specific IM program. The program comprises biological based complementary and alternative medicines (BB-CAM), a structured exercise therapy, manipulative and body-based practices, nutritional counseling, psycho-oncological and relaxing therapies. Therapists with additional specialization for IM, guide the treatment units. The program was evaluated via self-administered questionnaire. Results. 78% of the participating patients noticed an improvement by using BB-CAMs. 86% stated to feel better through participation in the structured exercise program. 74% profited from nutritional counseling and 91% from manual therapy. 93% of the patients treated with body compresses considered the application as soothing. The Bio-Frequency Sound Color Bed led to a relaxation in 96%. Psychological therapy improved coping with the disease in 70% of the patients. Conclusion. Integrative oncology combines the best practices of conventional and complementary therapy, uniting them in a holistic concept. Data show that our integrative therapy concept is well accepted by the patients and that therapy- and disease-related side effects can be reduced.

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Evaluating the Demand for Integrative Medicine Practices in Breast and Gynecological Cancer Patients

Cited by 24 publications

References 53 publications

Dietary supplement use in ambulatory cancer patients: a survey on prevalence, motivation and attitudes

Dietary supplement use in ambulatory cancer patients: a survey on prevalence, motivation and attitudes

Bladder Cancer Metastasis Induced by Chronic Everolimus Application Can Be Counteracted by Sulforaphane In Vitro

Evaluation of an Expert Guided Integrative Therapy Concept in Patients With Breast or Gynecological Cancer During Systemic Therapy

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