Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) as Part of the Oncological Treatment: Survey about Patients’ Attitude towards CAM in a University-Based Oncology Center in Germany

Abstract

IntroductionTo understand if and which patients would be open-minded to Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) use parallel to their oncological treatment. Moreover, we sought to determine which methods are most accepted and which are the primary motivators to use CAM.MethodsWe developed and anonymously conducted a questionnaire for patients in the oncology center (TU Munich). Questions focus on different CAM methods, previous experiences, and willingness to apply or use CAM when offered in a university-based setting.ResultsA total of 171 of 376 patients (37.4% women, 62.0% men, 0.6% unknown) participated. This corresponds to a return rate of 45%. Median age was 64 years (17–87 years). Of all participants, 15.2% used CAM during their oncological therapy; 32.7% have used it in the past. The majority (81.9%) was not using CAM during therapy; 55.5% have not used CAM in the past respectively. The analysis revealed a significant correlation between education and CAM use during therapy (r = 0.18; p = 0.02), and CAM use in the past (r = 0.17; p = 0.04). Of all patients using CAM during therapy, favored methods were food supplements (42.3%), vitamins/minerals (42.3%), massage (34.6%). Motivations are especially the reduction of side effect and stress, the positive effect of certain CAM-treatments on the immune system and tumor therapy. Results showed no difference between women and men. Most patients not having had any experience with CAM complain about the deficiency of information by their treating oncologist (31.4%) as well as missing treatment possibilities (54.3%).ConclusionSince many patients believe in study results demonstrating the efficacy of CAM, it stresses our task to develop innovative study protocols to investigate the outcomes of certain CAM on symptom reduction or other endpoints. Thus, prospective trials and innovative evidence-based treatment concepts to include CAM into high-end oncology is what patients demand and what a modern oncology center should offer.

Complementary Medicines among Egyptian Oncology Patients at a Tertiary Level of Care: Pattern and Motives

“…Few patients only considered CM therapy to be used alone. Similar reported results supporting the patient's willingness to integrate CAM into their oncological therapy to be offered as a concomitant therapy [7]. Females had higher tendency to use CM in the current study (P=0.018).…”

“…ElNimr et al [4] reported that herbal medications are the most commonly (CM) used among adult Egyptians by (91.6%), similarly, the herbal therapy use was favored by 90.2% of the patients [12]. These findings are inconsistent with another study reported from countries like USA who commonly used dietary supplements [13], similarly the most preferred CM methods were vitamins/minerals and food supplements (42.3%) [7].…”

“…In Egypt, CM use was higher among educated males with chronic renal disease [17]. Furthermore, some other studies have shown that the use of CM is associated with higher education and or high socioeconomic status [7,14].…”

“…Many patients with chronic illnesses including cancer use (CM) during and after treatment and the reasons included doubts concerning the effectiveness of conventional treatment, dissatisfaction with the medical care and attempts to improve one's physical and emotional health [5]. standardized oncology protocols [7]. Unfortunately the data about CM and its improper handling is a challenge; herbal products being one of the CM could interact with the drugs exploiting a source of health risk.…”

Predictors and Characteristics Associated with use of Complementary Health Approaches among Cancer Patients

“…The use of CHA in cancer patients with conventional treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation and surgery is growing over the past 15 years, not only in Western countries, but also in the Far East or in developing countries. So it has undoubtedly gained medical, economic and research importance (Rossi et al, 2015, Kessel et al, 2016. Nevertheless the literature about CHA prevalence in cancer patients is not particularly rich.…”