scholarly journals Use of complementary and alternative medicine by cancer patients at Zhejiang University Teaching Hospital, Zhuji Hospital, China

Author(s):  
L Teng ◽  
K Jin ◽  
K He ◽  
C Bian ◽  
W Chen ◽  
...  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 16
Author(s):  
Leonard Ogbonna Ajah ◽  
Dickson Tochukwu Ifezuoke ◽  
Monique Iheoma Ajah ◽  
Theophilus Ogochukwu Nwankwo ◽  
Ijeoma Victoria Ezeome ◽  
...  

INTRODUCTION: The high cost and associated adverse effects of conventional therapy make the patients seek complementary and alternative medicine. Complementary and alternative medicine use may contribute to the delay the patients have before seeking orthodox care. OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence, pattern, factors responsible for complementary and alternative medicine use and if complementary and alternative medicine use causes delay in seeking orthodox care among gynaecological cancer patients in Enugu. MATERIAL & METHODS: A pretested, semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaire -based cross-sectional survey of 396 eligible gynaecological cancer patients recruited from both University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu and Enugu State University of Science and Technology Teaching Hospital, Enugu between January, 2018 and June, 2020. The data was analyzed using the statistical package for social sciences version 23 (IBM SPSS, Chicago, IL). RESULTS: The mean age of the respondents was 57.3 years and it ranged from 41 to 77 years. Cervical cancer (76%) was the most common type of gynaecological cancer. A total of 283(71.5%) of the respondents used complementary and alternative medicine. Herbs (65%) were the most common type of complementary and alternative medicine used. Majority (56.9%) of complementary and alternative medicine users rarely used it. A total of 178(62.8%) complementary and alternative medicine users presumed that it would cure them while 105 (37.1%) presumed that it would relieve the symptoms of their cancer. However, 197 (69.6%) complementary and alternative medicine users stated that there was no actual benefit from its use. The low educational status has a statistically significant influence on complementary and alternative medicine use among the respondents(P-value=<0.0001). Complementary and alternative medicine use had a significant influence on delay to seek orthodox care among the study participants (P-value=<0.0001). Majority (84.5%) of the doctors, caring for the patients, were not aware of the patients’ use of complementary and alternative medicine. CONCLUSION: Complementary and alternative medicine use among gynaecological cancer patients is high in Enugu. It also delays their presentation for orthodox care. Female education and public sensitization on the effect of complementary and alternative medicine use is necessary to curb this trend.


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.


2016 ◽  
Vol 27 ◽  
pp. iv113
Author(s):  
M. Berretta ◽  
C. Dellapeppa ◽  
P. Tralongo ◽  
A. Fulvi ◽  
A. Lleshi ◽  
...  

2013 ◽  
Vol 19 (11) ◽  
pp. 876-881 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sheila N. Garland ◽  
David Valentine ◽  
Krupali Desai ◽  
Susan Li ◽  
Corey Langer ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 ◽  
pp. 153473542110660
Author(s):  
Megan E. Sansevere ◽  
Jeffrey D. White

Background: Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is often used by cancer patients and survivors in the US. Many people turn to the internet as their first source of information. Health information seeking through the internet can be useful for patients to gain a better understanding of specific CAM treatments to discuss with their healthcare team, but only if the information is comprehensive, high quality, and reliable. The aim of this article is to examine the content, writing/vetting processes, and visibility of cancer CAM online informational resources. Methods: Online CAM resources were identified by Google and PubMed searches, literature reviews, and through sources listed on various websites. The websites were analyzed through a modified online health information evaluation tool, DISCERN (score range = 1-5). The website’s features relevant to the quality assessment were described. Results: Eleven CAM websites were chosen for analysis. The DISCERN analysis showed a range of quality scores from 3.6 to 4.9. Lower DISCERN scores were generally due to deficiencies in describing the writing, editing, and updating processes. A lack of transparency with authorship and references was commonly present. Conclusion: Cancer patients interested in CAM need unbiased, evidence-based, reliable, high-quality, easily accessible educational materials. Individuals should use the guidelines followed in this analysis (including DISCERN and Medline Plus) to find reliable sources. Website developers can use CAM Cancer (NAFKAM), Beyond Conventional Cancer Therapies, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, breastcancer.org , Office of Dietary Supplements, National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, and Cancer.gov as models for trustworthy content.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document