Complementary and alternative medicine use among the cancer patients in Northern India

Abstract

Background:Cancer has emerged as a major public health problem. People often turn to complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) when they have a long-lasting problem. CAM is a group of diverse medical and healthcare systems, practices, and products that are not generally considered part of conventional medicine. The present study was conducted to find prevalence rate of CAM use among cancer patients undergoing allopathic treatment in a health facility and to compare the CAM usage patterns among different subgroups of patients at different stages. Further to investigate some psychosocial, cultural, and demographiccorrelates/predictors of CAM use.Materials and Methods:Present hospital-based cross sectional study was conducted among cancer patients attending Radiotherapy Outpatient Department (OPD) of a Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH). A total of 1,117 cancer patients participated in the study. Statistical methods like normal test of proportions, Chi-square (χ2) test, logistic regression analysis for estimation of risk factors of CAM use were applied to carry out the data analyses using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS)-16 software package.Results:The most common CAM therapy in use was found to be ayurvedic treatment reported by 187 (16.7%) patients. Overall CAM use was found to be 38.7%. Sixty percent of patients who were aware of CAM were not using CAM, only 40% aware were using CAM. Low socioeconomic status contributed maximum to proportions of CAM use; wherein out of all users, 175 (40.5%) patients were using CAM. Maximum degree of relief was found due to homeopathic treatment (78.4%). Reasons of using CAM therapies reported by the users were mainly on the advice of family members or friends (23.1%).Conclusions:There is an urgent need of conducting further in-depth epidemiological studies to evaluate the efficacy of various CAM therapies in use for cancer. The high utilization of CAM among cancer patients and nondisclosure proportions suggests prioritizing research investigating reasons to use CAM and efficacy and safety of CAM use.

Use of complementary and alternative medicine among patients with cancer in a sub-Himalayan state in India: An exploratory study

“…This study also looked into the prevalence of CAM awareness among cancer patients which turned out to be very high (93.0%) as compared to modern treatments (75.0%), and this was in accordance with the results of a similar study reported by Kumar D et al. [ 15 ].…”

“…A similar association of CAM use with advanced-stage disease has also been noted in other studies [ 22 ]. Many Indian studies also reported that the prevalence of CAM usage varied with stage and diagnosis, and showed that its use is most common in breast cancer, followed by head and neck malignancy [ 15 ], whereas in western literature, Bahall et al. reported prostate (44.4%) as the most common diagnosis followed by breast (39.6%), colon (38.7%) and ovarian (37.0%) malignancy [ 23 ].…”

“…Different types of CAMs used in different geographic locations such as Kampo medicine in Japan [ 27 , 28 ], folk herbs in Arabic countries [ 1 ], Chinese herbal medicine ( Ganoderma lucidum, Fructus zizyphi, Panax quinquefolius ) in China [ 29 ] while, relaxation techniques, chiropractic, and massage were the CAM therapies used in USA [ 30 , 31 ]. Many studies have reported that Ayurvedic treatment is one of the most commonly used treatments in patients with cancer in North India [ 15 , 32 ]. The reason for differences in the type of CAM usage among different countries and locations may be local availability and long-standing tradition of that therapy in that region, which leads to strong belief and trust in these therapies.…”

Open to Exploration? Association of Personality Factors With Complementary Therapy Use After Breast Cancer Treatment

“…A meta-analysis published in 2012 estimated that 40% of cancer survivors worldwide use CTs, though estimates are slightly higher in North American countries (46%) and slightly lower in European countries (34%). 3 Several recent studies published since then have found similarly high rates of CT use 4 - 8 or higher. 1 , 9 - 12 Cancer survivors have reported several reasons for CT use, including alleviating side effects of treatment, improving health/healing/immune function, wanting control, and improving emotional/psychological functioning.…”

Practice of Yoga in Patients With Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy Attending a Tertiary Care Hospital in Northern India: Implications During Coronavirus Disease-19 Pandemic

“…Hence, it can be considered as a good alternative to exercise therapy [3,5]. In addition, it is believed that it can reduce medication use in adults with Type II Diabetes Mellitus [6].…”