scholarly journals The trends of complementary alternative medicine use among cancer patients

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdul Rahman Jazieh ◽  
Khadega A. Abuelgasim ◽  
Husam I. Ardah ◽  
Mohammad Alkaiyat ◽  
Omar B. Da’ar

Abstract Background The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is common among cancer patients and it may reflect the individual and societal beliefs on cancer therapy. Our study aimed to evaluate the trends of CAM use among patients with cancer between 2006 and 2018. Methods We included 2 Cohorts of patients with cancer who were recruited for Cohort 1 between 2006 and 2008 and for Cohort 2 between 2016 and 2018. The study is a cross-sectional study obtaining demographic and clinical information and inquiring about the types of CAM used, the reasons to use them and the perceived benefits. We compared the changes in the patterns of CAM use and other variables between the two cohorts. Results A total of 1416 patients were included in the study, with 464 patients in Cohort 1 and 952 patients in Cohort 2. Patients in Cohort 2 used less CAM (78.9%) than Cohort 1 (96.8%). Cohort 1 was more likely to use CAM to treat cancer compared to Cohort 2 (84.4% vs. 73%, respectively, p < 0.0001,); while Cohort 2 used CAM for symptom management such as pain control and improving appetite among others. Disclosure of CAM use did not change significantly over time and remains low (31.6% in Cohort 1 and 35.7% for Cohort 2). However, physicians were more likely to express an opposing opinion against CAM use in Cohort 2 compared to Cohort 1 (48.7% vs. 19.1%, p < 0.001, respectively). Conclusion There is a significant change in CAM use among cancer patients over the decade, which reflects major societal and cultural changes in this population. Further studies and interventions are needed to improve the disclosure to physicians and to improve other aspects of care to these patients.

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 ◽  
pp. 153473542098391
Author(s):  
Chieh-Ying Chin ◽  
Yung-Hsiang Chen ◽  
Shin-Chung Wu ◽  
Chien-Ting Liu ◽  
Yun-Fang Lee ◽  
...  

Background Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is becoming more common in medical practice, but little is known about the concurrent use of CAM and conventional treatment. Therefore, the aim was to investigate the types of CAM used and their prevalence in a regional patient cohort with breast cancer (BC). Methods BC patients were interviewed with a structured questionnaire survey on the use of CAM in southern Taiwan at an Integrative Breast Cancer Center (IBCC). The National Centre for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) classification was used to group responses. Over a period of 8 months, all patients receiving treatment for cancer at the IBCC were approached. Results A total of 106 BC patients completed the survey (response rate: 79.7%). The prevalence of CAM use was 82.4%. Patients who were employed, were receiving radiotherapy and hormone therapy, and had cancer for a longer duration were more likely to use CAM ( P < .05). Multivariate analysis identified employment as an independent predictor of CAM use (OR = 6.92; 95% CI = 1.33-36.15). Dietary supplementation (n = 69, 82.1%) was the type of CAM most frequently used, followed by exercise (n = 48, 57.1%) and traditional Chinese medicine (n = 29, 34.5%). The main reason for using CAM was to ameliorate the side effects of conventional therapies. Almost half (46.4%) of these CAM users did not disclose that they were using it in medical consultations with their physicians. Most chose to use CAM due to recommendations from family and friends. Conclusion A large portion of BC patients at the IBCC undergoing anti-cancer treatment courses used CAM, but less than half discussed it with their physicians. Given the high prevalence of CAM, it would be justifiable to direct further resources toward this service so that cancer patients can benefit from a holistic approach to their treatment.


2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 169-177
Author(s):  
Alvinda Apriliatul Jannah ◽  
Anisah Ardiana ◽  
Retno Purwandari

Hope is a crucial issue in patients with cancer. Hope can be increased by providing social support. Social support can be obtained from the nurses caring behavior. This research aimed to analyze the relationship between nurses caring behavior and recovery hope level of cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy program at Baladhika Husada Hospital in Jember. A cross-sectional study was conducted to 112 respondents using the Caring Behavior Inventory (CBI-24) questionnaire and Scale of Hope. The data were analyzed applying the Kendall Tau B (τ) correlation. The results showed that there was a relationship between nurses caring behavior with the level of recovery expectancy of cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy programs at Baladhika Husada Hospital in Jember (p-value <0.001; τ = 0.375). Nurse caring behavior increases patient comfort and makes patients more enthusiastic about undergoing therapy. Patients feel valued and get more information from nurses. Therefore, the patient's recovery hopes can increase. This study concludes that nurses caring behavior can increase the expectation of recovery of cancer patients. Abstrak Harapan adalah hal krusial pada pasien kanker. Harapan dapat ditingkatkan dengan pemberian dukungan sosial yang bisa didapat dari perilaku caring perawat. Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk menganalisis hubungan perilaku caring perawat dengan tingkat harapan sembuh pasien kanker yang menjalani program kemoterapi di Rumah Sakit Baladhika Husada Jember. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode cross sectional dan 112 responden didapatkan dengan teknik sampel purposive samping. Data didapatkan melalui kuesioner CBI-24 dan kuesioner skala harapan. Analisis pada penelitian ini menggunakan uji korelasi Kendall Tau B (τ). Hasil menunjukkan terdapat hubungan antara perilaku caring perawat dengan tingkat harapan sembuh pasien kanker yang menjalani program kemoterapi di Rumah Sakit Baladhika Husada Jember (p value < 0,001; τ = 0,375). Perilaku caring perawat dapat meningkatkan kenyamanan pasien dan membuat pasien lebih semangat menjalankan terapi yang dijalani. Pasien merasa dinilai dan mendapatkan informasi lebih dari perawat. Maka dari itu, harapan sembuh pasien dapat meningkat. Kesimpulan dari penelitian ini adalah perilaku caring perawat dapat meningkatkan harapan sembuh pasien kanker.  


2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Farah Naja ◽  
Bilal Anouti ◽  
Hibeh Shatila ◽  
Reem Akel ◽  
Yolla Haibe ◽  
...  

Patients with lung cancer are increasingly seeking complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) to improve their physiological and psychological well-being. This study aimed to assess CAM use among lung cancer patients in Lebanon. Using a cross-sectional design, 150 lung cancer patients attending the Basile Cancer Institute at the American University of Beirut Medical Center were interviewed. Participants completed a questionnaire addressing sociodemographic characteristics, lung cancer condition, and use of CAM. The main outcome of interest was “use of any CAM therapy since diagnosis.” Prevalence of CAM use was 41%. The most commonly used CAM modality among study participants was “dietary supplements/special foods.” Results of the multiple logistic regression analyses showed that CAM use was positively associated with Lebanese nationality and paying for treatment out of pocket and was negatively associated with unemployment and having other chronic diseases. About 10% of patients used CAM on an alternative base, 58% did not disclose CAM use to their physician, and only 2% cited health professionals as influencing their choice of CAM. This study revealed a prevalent CAM use among lung cancer patients in Lebanon, with a marginal role for physicians in guiding this use. Promoting an open-communication and a patient-centered approach regarding CAM use is warranted.


2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Asfaw Erku

Background.Today, complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use is being routinely practiced by cancer patients worldwide. This study aimed at examining the prevalence of CAM use in patients with cancer and comparing the quality of life (QoL) in CAM users and nonusers.Methods.A cross-sectional study was employed on 195 cancer patients receiving chemotherapy at Gondar University Referral Hospital (GURH) chemotherapy center. Interviewer-administered questionnaires were used and the collected data were analyzed by the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 21.0 for Windows.Results.154 (79%) patients were found to be users of CAM. Educational status, average monthly income, disease stage, and comorbidity were strong predictors of use of CAM. The most commonly utilized types of CAM were traditional herbal based medicine (72.1%) and only 20.8% of patients discuss with their doctors CAM use. No significant difference was found in QoL between CAM users and nonusers except in financial difficulties (p=0.020).Conclusions.This study revealed a high rate of CAM use with very low disclosure rate to their health care providers. Health care providers should be open to discuss the use of CAM with their patients as it will lead to better health outcome.


2021 ◽  
Vol 55 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marie Len A. Camaclang-Balmores ◽  
Ma. Lorna F. Frez ◽  
Patricia A. Nacianceno ◽  
Jay-V James G. Barit

Objective. To determine the prevalence of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use and its association with quality of life (QOL) among Filipino adult psoriasis vulgaris patients. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted in an outpatient dermatology department of a tertiary hospital, using a semi-structured, interview-guided questionnaire, and a self-administered QOL questionnaire, the dermatology life quality index (DLQI). Results. A total of 135 Filipino adult patients with psoriasis vulgaris were included. The prevalence of CAM use was 47%, with most CAM users being female and single. Completion of tertiary education was found significantly associated with CAM use (p < 0.05). A greater body surface area involvement and longer disease duration were more common among CAM users but these were not statistically significant. Special diet (56.3%) was the most commonly used type of CAM, followed by herbal medicine (46.9%), bath therapy (18.9%) and faith healing (12.5%). Major sources of CAM information were families (43.8%), internet/social media (28.1%) and health professionals (25%). Around 40% of the participants used CAM out of curiosity. The mean DLQI score of the respondents was 11.3 (±7.3) corresponding to poor quality of life. CAM use was significantly associated with negative impact on physical symptoms and feelings, daily activities, and work and school (P = 0.044; P = 0.019; P = 0.047). After adjusting for confounding variables, patients with poor QOL were twice more likely to use CAM but this was not statistically significant (odds ratio [OR], 1.76; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.78-3.95; P = 0.17). Conclusions. The use of CAM is prevalent among Filipino adult patients with psoriasis vulgaris. The significant association between CAM use and a poor quality of life may reflect the unmet physical and psychosocial needs of patients. A patient-perspective approach should acknowledge the reasons for CAM use, which could guide the physicians in imparting available scientific evidence, or the lack thereof, for the use of CAM to these patients.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (E) ◽  
pp. 521-527
Author(s):  
Zafar Rasheed ◽  
Mohammed Al-Rashidy ◽  
Anas Al-Raqibah ◽  
Abdulrahman Al-Moqbel ◽  
Abdulmajeed Al-Bakri ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND: Cancer patients have always been reported to have multiple complications and the treatment has always seemed challenging. The complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapy has widely accepted by the patients with various disorders. AIM: This study evaluated the experience of cancer patients for the usage of CAM therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study designed to determine the experience of cancer patients for the usage of CAM therapy. RESULTS: Out of 232 cancer patients, 94% were urban residents and were non-smokers. Importantly, 66.4% of cancer patients experienced that the combination of CAM with conventional chemotherapy was effective for their treatment. Among all CAM therapies, 31.5% cancer patients experienced that herbal medicines/herbs were good. Among herbal therapies, green tea and black seeds were most effective for cancer patients. In contrast, 12.5% patients experienced that homeopathic medicines were good for their treatment. CONCLUSIONS: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first comprehensive study from Saudi Arabia to show the experience of cancer patients toward the usage of CAM therapy. Most of the cancer patients experienced that CAM therapies with the convention chemotherapy were effective for their treatment. Among all studied CAM therapies, green tea and black seeds were suggested by most of the cancer patients for their treatment.


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