Prevalence, patterns, and perceived value of complementary and alternative medicine among cancer patients: a cross-sectional, descriptive study

Abstract

BackgroundSophisticated conventional medicine (CM) has brought significant advances to cancer prevention, detection, and treatment. However, many cancer patients still turn to complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) treatment. This study explored the prevalence, patterns, and perceived value of CAM among cancer patients.MethodsThis quantitative descriptive study was conducted between March 1, 2015, and July 31, 2015, among a cross-sectional, convenience sample of patients from the Oncology Department of San Fernando General Hospital in Trinidad and Tobago. Face-to-face interviews were conducted at the oncology clinic and treatment suite after obtaining informed consent. Data analysis included descriptive analysis, chi-square tests, and binary logistic regression analysis.ResultsThe prevalence of CAM use among a sample of 350 cancer patients was 39.1% (39.6% for breast cancer, 44.4% for prostate cancer, 37% for ovarian cancer, and 38.7% for colon cancer patients). Herbs were the most common type of CAM used (93.4%), followed by spiritual therapy (73.7%). CAM use was more prevalent among females (68.6%), Indo-Trinidadians (63.5%), and patients aged 41–50 years (37.2%). The majority (70%–80%) rated CAM efficacy on perceived value. CAM was used mainly because of a desire to try anything that might help (67.6%), followed by it being congruent with the patients’ beliefs (59.1%). Patients knew about CAM mainly through friends (69.3%) and family (69.3%). Most patients were generally satisfied (93.6%) and considered CAM helpful (89.8%), but the majority never informed their health care provider of CAM use (78.8%). Patients reported the simultaneous use of more than one type of CAM, without considering or knowing of possible side-effects. The perceived value of CAM included empowerment, control, cure, and improved quality of life. CAM use was associated with age, but no predictors of CAM use could be identified.ConclusionMedicinal herbs and spiritual therapy are commonly used among cancer patients because of perceived benefits and satisfaction. CAM use is more prevalent among females, Indo-Trinidadians, and patients aged 41–50 years old. There are no useful predictors of CAM use. More than one type of CAM is commonly used simultaneously without disclosure to health care providers.

Assessing the Quality of Websites Relating to Complementary and Integrative Health: A Review of Five Domains (Preprint)

“…Given that individuals might respond differently based on a combination of personal, situational and source factors, there is need for additional research to understand how individuals may interact with the CIH information that they find online, and in turn, assist them to make informed decisions. This may be particularly important given that extant literature has reported that patients often do not report CIH use to their health care providers [16,65,66].…”

“…First, patients seek healthcare that is more in line with their values, beliefs and orientations; this may include a valuation of more holistic approaches to health, an orientation towards wellness, and a desire to participate in treatment decisions [10][11][12][13][14][15][16]. Relying on personal experiences [15,[17][18][19], use of social networks for information and decision making [16,[18][19][20][21] and social relationships may also influence individuals' decisions to seek CIH care [22][23][24][25].…”

“…Relying on personal experiences [15,[17][18][19], use of social networks for information and decision making [16,[18][19][20][21] and social relationships may also influence individuals' decisions to seek CIH care [22][23][24][25]. Lastly, dissatisfaction with conventional practitioners and lack of effectiveness of conventional treatments may also influence this shift towards CIH [13,19,[26][27][28]16].…”

Nurses’ attitudes and behaviour towards patients’ use of complementary therapies: A mixed methods study

“…Evidence indicates that many people use CT in addition to, rather than instead of conventional health care (Leach, ; Lin, Canaway, & Carter, ; Sirois & Purc‐Stephenson, ). Importantly, conventional healthcare providers may not be aware that patients are using CT owing to communication barriers (Bahall, ; Ducrest et al., ; Teo, Yap, Shen, & Yeo, ).…”

“…Importantly, conventional healthcare providers may not be aware that patients are using CT owing to communication barriers (Bahall, 2017;Ducrest et al, 2017;Teo, Yap, Shen, & Yeo, 2016).…”