Use of complementary medicines by patients treated with chemotherapy: Survey in a French day care unit.
e19555 Background: Nowadays, communication about alternative medicines and biologic therapies is very intense. Anyone can find information, more or less scientific, on internet, television or magazines. Therefore, patients treated with chemotherapy may use many complementary medicines. The purpose of our study is to do a summary of the use of those alternative therapies by our patients in order to evaluate the potential risk of interference with their antitumor treatment. Methods: We carried out a prospective study among patients in the day care unit. During an interview, they were asking for any biological treatment or non-drug alternative medicine used concurrently with the chemotherapy. We found out: antitumor agent, complementary and alternative medicine used, aim of this use (prevention, antitumor action, wellbeing), means of access, person who advised them. Results: 100 patients were interviewed (average = 63 years old, half-and-half men and women). 38% used complementary and alternative medicines: 45% of whom used homeopathy, 39% food supplements, 37% herbal medicine, 29% non-drug alternative medicine (acupuncture, magnetic healer, meditation…). 29% of them associate more than 3 medicines. 61% of patients using herbal medicine, heard about it by word of mouth (friends and family); and 75% buy it by internet or by phone. Most of them are looking for wellbeing. 31% of patients using food supplements, looking for well being too, learnt it by word of mouth; 48% buy it in pharmacy, 40% on internet or by phone. 90% of patients using homeopathy were advised by their pharmacist or attending physician, mostly to prevent chemotherapy side effects. 95% buy it in pharmacy. Conclusions: A lot of patients are concerned by complementary and alternative medicines; and in too many case, they are advised by non-medical people. This survey shows the importance for oncologist to know exactly what kind of treatment their patients are using. Indeed, at least 16 of those patients associate medicines which reduce the antitumor agent’s activity. The survey will continue in other oncologic units.