Factors Influencing Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use in a Multisite Pediatric Oncology Practice

Abstract

These results indicate that children's use of CAM is significantly related to the intensity of parent's use regardless of parent's race, sex, education, household income, or child's sex or age. Clinicians should consider parental use and intensity of CAM use. Assessing CAM use should include classifications established by the National Center for CAM and a standard format for inquiring about CAM use should be developed.

Prevalence and parental perceptions of complementary and alternative medicine use by children with cancer in a multi‐ethnic Southeast Asian population

“…The demographic factors associated with CAM use found in our study were different from those reported in previous studies [4,[9][10][11]. We found no association between CAM use and parental age, parental education level, family income, and type or stage of disease.…”

Complementary and alternative medicine use in pediatric cancer reported during palliative phase of disease

“…Parents who used CAM most frequently cited their child as receiving whole medical systems therapy that mainly consisted of homeopathy. Parents in our study reported a similar use of CAM compared with previous reports for children with cancer [6,9,10], although occasional report of use has been higher [8]. This study is the first report on the consideration of CAM.…”

“…Reports of determinants of CAM use have often been contradictory [2], but with higher socio-economic or higher education status often a predictor [5,9] as shown by our results. Another determinant, not previously reported on, is having another family member with cancer.…”

Perceptions about complementary and alternative medicine use among Chinese immigrant parents of children with cancer

“…CAM use is popular worldwide among adults and children with cancer [2]. About 25% to 84.5% of children with cancer were given some form of CAM during treatment as shown in recent research [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15]. These studies, although not conclusive due to methodological differences and inconsistent definitions of CAM [2], indicate that CAM use as an adjunct therapy is common and widespread among children with cancer.…”