Complementary and alternative medicine use by pediatric oncology patients before, during, and after treatment

Abstract

Background The prevalence of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use and the modalities used by pediatric oncology patients vary widely across studies. In addition, the changes in the use of CAM over the course of treatment are understudied. Thus, this study aimed to explore (1) CAM use by pediatric oncology patients in relation to specific time intervals and (2) communication about CAM use between parents and oncologists. Methods This retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted among parents of children diagnosed with cancer at a Swiss pediatric hematology-oncology center by means of an online questionnaire. Questions were related to their child’s CAM use over different time intervals, sources of information about CAM use, and communication with the oncologists. Results Among 140 respondents, CAM was used by 54.3% of patients before diagnosis and 69.3% of patients after diagnosis. During each defined time interval, between 50 and 58.8% of the patients used at least one CAM. Homeopathy was the most popular CAM modality used during oncology treatment, during the first year after treatment, and between 1 and 5 years after the end of treatment. Osteopathy was the most popular CAM ≥5 years after the end of oncology treatment. Forty percent of respondents did not discuss CAM with their oncologist. Conclusions The high prevalence of CAM use and the different trends of use during the oncology care pathway and afterward underline the need to increase communication about CAM in the pediatric oncology setting, notably regarding benefits and risks of interaction with oncology treatment.

Pediatric oncologists' perspectives on the use of complementary medicine in pediatric cancer patients in Switzerland: A national survey‐based cross‐sectional study

“…The same study reported a substantial concern about a negative reaction from POs, preventing some patients to discuss about CM with them. 31 In our study, POs are generally open to discuss CM with both good and poor prognosis pediatric oncology patients. Based on our data, we are not able to evaluate the effect of CM on prognosis.…”

“…In Switzerland, CM is often used and considered as an important subject by POs. 15,23,[29][30][31] Our survey shows that POs in Switzerland are generally aware that many of their cancer patients use CM regularly and that they are concerned about potential harmful side effects of CM. All of them indicated that it is important to know CM therapies their patients are using.…”

Interest and need for continuing medical education in pediatric complementary and integrative medicine: a cross-sectional survey from Switzerland

“…For example, a majority stated that they were encouraged to communicate openly with patients about all treatment options as a result of the knowledge they had gained about C&IM. This is of particular importance as there is still a lack of communication between patient and physician on C&IM [ 12 , 16 ]. Physicians should inform the child and his parents about potential risks and benefits of complementary therapies [ 23 ].…”

Complementary and Integrative Medicine in Pediatric Oncology – Development and Evaluation of a Blended Learning Program

“…However, even for POs having a rather positive attitude to CIM it might be valuable for them to reflect on communication issues. The need to increase communication about CIM in pediatric oncologists is also underlined by other authors [8]. Furthermore, a generalization of the results of the evaluation to all POs in Germany cannot be made, because only small groups of POs participated in the various evaluations of the e-learning or the workshops.…”