Use of GoFundMe® to crowdfund complementary and alternative medicine treatments for cancer

Song, Sikai; Cohen, Andrew J.; Lui, Hansen; Mmonu, Nnenaya A.; Brody, Hartley; Patiño, Germán; Liaw, Aron; Butler, Christi; Fergus, Kirkpatrick B.; Mena, Jorge; Lee, Austin; Weiser, Jeremy; Johnson, Kent C.; Breyer, Benjamin N.

doi:10.1007/s00432-020-03191-0

Cited by 29 publications

(43 citation statements)

References 24 publications

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“…The types of CAM most frequently used by patients in our study were natural products, herbs, vitamin C and other vitamins, dietary supplements and microelements. The same therapies have commonly been reported by other authors [17,[24][25][26][28][29][30][31][32][33]; however, there are some therapy preferences that have been reported to be nation-specific. In the USA, the most popular CAM were vitamins, minerals, herbal supplements and green tea [28,29].…”

Section: Types Of Camsupporting

confidence: 65%

“…Being female, of a younger age and highly educated predicted CAM use in other populations [16,20,22,[24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31]. Additionally, CAM users were more likely to have advanced stages of cancer (IV) and have a history of delayed diagnosis [32]. CAM were more likely to be used by breast cancer and lung cancer patients [24].…”

Section: Predictors Of Cam Usagementioning

confidence: 99%

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Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use in Hospitalized Cancer Patients—Study from Silesia, Poland

Kasprzycka

Kurzawa

Kucharz

et al. 2022

IJERPH

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Background: The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is common amongst cancer patients. The aim of the study was to investigate the use of CAM, beliefs about CAM and the purpose of using it amongst Polish cancer patients. Methods: The study included 864 cancer patients (median 63 years old), who were individually interviewed. The questionnaire was designed specifically for this study. Results: Amongst 732 patients who declared that they heard about CAM, 342 patients (46.7%) had used CAM; 91% of these patients had used it as a complementary therapy and 9% had used it as an alternative therapy. Patients younger in age, highly educated, professionally active, with longer medical history, and at more advanced cancer stages have, statistically, used CAM more often; 66% of participants could not state what the health effect of CAM is. Patients received information about CAM from the internet, friends, family and other patients. Only 18% of patients discussed using CAM with a doctor. Conclusions: CAM was popular amongst Polish cancer patients, especially in younger, educated and professionally active patients with longer cancer history at advanced stage. Patients used CAM as a complementary therapy for strengthening immune system, improving morphological and biochemical test parameters, reducing the side effects of conventional therapy and improving their well-being.

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Section: Types Of Camsupporting

confidence: 65%

Section: Predictors Of Cam Usagementioning

confidence: 99%

Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use in Hospitalized Cancer Patients—Study from Silesia, Poland

Kasprzycka

Kurzawa

Kucharz

et al. 2022

IJERPH

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“… 24 , 25 , 26 However, when compared with more prevalent cancers such as breast, colon and lung, patients with kidney cancer less commonly sought funds for complementary and alternative medicine‐ this was echoed by our results. 26 Instead, patients chiefly called for treatment‐related financial assistance for more widely‐accepted therapies such as nephrectomy, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. 27 Finally, when compared with Cohen et al’s multiorgan cancer cohort, it may be notable to mention that a higher proportion of kidney cancer patients reported themselves as the primary wage earner and had subsequent loss of job/reduction of hours due to illness.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 55%

“…Additional research has found that patients also crowdfund in order to cover costs of experimental and “scientifically unsupported” treatments to achieve therapeutic success and pain reduction 24–26 . However, when compared with more prevalent cancers such as breast, colon and lung, patients with kidney cancer less commonly sought funds for complementary and alternative medicine‐ this was echoed by our results 26 . Instead, patients chiefly called for treatment‐related financial assistance for more widely‐accepted therapies such as nephrectomy, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy 27 .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 62%

“…While medical costs remain significant, our results underscored less‐commonly considered indirect cost burdens such as lost wages and lodging as well. Additional research has found that patients also crowdfund in order to cover costs of experimental and “scientifically unsupported” treatments to achieve therapeutic success and pain reduction 24–26 . However, when compared with more prevalent cancers such as breast, colon and lung, patients with kidney cancer less commonly sought funds for complementary and alternative medicine‐ this was echoed by our results 26 .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 63%

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Characterizing online crowdfunding campaigns for patients with kidney cancer

et al. 2021

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Background Cancer patients incur high care costs; however, there is a paucity of literature characterizing unmet financial obligations for patients with urologic cancers. Kidney cancer patients are particularly burdened by costs associated with novel systemic treatments. This study aimed to ascertain the characteristics of GoFundMe® crowdfunding campaigns for patients with kidney cancer, in order to better understand the financial needs of this population. Methods We performed a cross‐sectional, quantitative, and qualitative analysis of all kidney cancer GoFundMe® campaigns since 2010. Fundraising metrics such as goal funds and amount raised, were extracted. Eight independent investigators collected patient, disease and campaign‐level variables from campaign stories (κ = 0.72). In addition, we performed a content analysis of campaign narratives spotlighting the primary appeal of the patient's life story. Results A total of 486 GoFundMe® kidney cancer campaigns were reviewed. The median goal funds were 10,000USD [IQR = 5000, 20,000] and the median amount raised was 1450USD [IQR = 578, 4050]. Most campaigns were for adult males (53%) and 62% of adults had children. A minority were for pediatric patients (17%). Thirty‐seven percent of adult patients were primary wage earners and 43% reported losing their job or substantially reducing hours due to illness. Twenty‐nine percent reported no insurance or insufficient coverage. Campaigns most frequently sought funds for medical bills (60%), nonmedical bills (27%), and medical travel (23%). Qualitative campaign narratives mostly emphasized patients’ hardship (46.3%) or high moral character (35.2%). Only 8% of campaigns achieved their target funds. Conclusions Despite fundraising efforts, patients with kidney cancer face persistent financial barriers, incurring both medical and nonmedical cost burdens. This may be compounded by limited or no insurance. Cancer care providers should be aware of financial constraints placed on kidney cancer patients, and consider how these may impact treatment regimens.

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International medical tourism of US cancer patients for alternative cancer treatments: Financial, demographic, and clinical profiles of online crowdfunding campaigns

et al. 2023

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Background: Previous research has found that individuals may travel outside their home countries in pursuit of alternative cancer therapies (ACT). The goal of this study is to compare individuals in the United States who propose plans for travel abroad for ACT, compared with individuals who seek ACT domestically.Methods: Clinical and treatment data were extracted from campaign descriptions of 615 GoFundMe® campaigns fundraising for individuals in the United States seeking ACT between 2011 and 2019. We examined treatment modalities, treatment location, fundraising metrics, and online engagement within campaign profiles. Clinical and demographic differences between those who proposed international travel and those who sought ACT domestically were examined using two-sided Fisher's exact tests. Differences in financial and social engagement data were examined using two-sided Mann-Whitney tests.Results: Of the total 615 campaigns, 237 (38.5%) mentioned plans to travel internationally for ACT, with the majority (81.9%) pursuing travel to Mexico.

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Use of GoFundMe® to crowdfund complementary and alternative medicine treatments for cancer

Cited by 29 publications

References 24 publications

Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use in Hospitalized Cancer Patients—Study from Silesia, Poland

Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use in Hospitalized Cancer Patients—Study from Silesia, Poland

Characterizing online crowdfunding campaigns for patients with kidney cancer

International medical tourism of US cancer patients for alternative cancer treatments: Financial, demographic, and clinical profiles of online crowdfunding campaigns

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