Online Survey of Patients with Breast Cancer on Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Abstract

About 50% of cancer patients use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). Women with breast cancer use CAM more frequently than others. We linked a questionnaire to the largest internet portal for cancer patients in Germany. The questionnaire addresses attitude towards CAM, disclosure to the oncologist, source of information, and objectives for use of CAM. 80 patients with breast cancer took part in our study, 61 currently using CAM. Most frequently used CAM methods were selenium, relaxation techniques, prayer, vitamin C, and meditation. Satisfaction was highest with relaxation techniques, vitamin C, homeopathy, yoga and Chinese herbs, lowest with mistletoe and acupuncture. 70% of participants did not think their oncologist took time to discuss CAM. Only 16% believed that their oncologist was well-informed about CAM. 46% relied on naturopaths and non-medical practitioners concerning CAM. Objectives for the use of CAM were to reduce side effects, boost the immune system, and become active.

Use of complementary and alternative medicine by patients with cancer: a cross-sectional study at different points of cancer care

“…Many patients not only want to take part in decision making, but also to actively contribute to the treatment, to better cope with side effects and to strengthen their own body [6,7]. This active engagement is one of the main reasons for professionals to accept CAM [8][9][10].…”

Integrative Oncology Care & Research: Needs to be reinforced

“…As per a German study (1), satisfaction is highest (>70%) with patients who use relaxation techniques (71%), Vitamin C (73%), homeopathy (75%), yoga (74%), and Chinese herbs (80%).…”

Beweggründe von Krebspatienten für und gegen die Inanspruchnahme der Misteltherapie

“…Auch in einer Studie von 1998, die die Inanspruchnahme von KM bei Krebspatienten, deren Motivation für die Inanspruchnahme und Erwartungen an die KM untersuchte, war die Misteltherapie mit 61,6% das meistverwendete KM-Verfahren [7]. Anscheinend hat jedoch der Anteil an Patienten, die zur Misteltherapie greifen, im zeitlichen Verlauf stark abgenommen [8,9,10,11,12]. In einer Online-Befragung von 2011, die damit die aktuellste Erhebung der Inanspruchnahme von KM in Deutschland darstellt, nutzten nur etwa 15% der 80 befragten Brustkrebs-Patientinnen [11] bzw.…”

“…Anscheinend hat jedoch der Anteil an Patienten, die zur Misteltherapie greifen, im zeitlichen Verlauf stark abgenommen [8,9,10,11,12]. In einer Online-Befragung von 2011, die damit die aktuellste Erhebung der Inanspruchnahme von KM in Deutschland darstellt, nutzten nur etwa 15% der 80 befragten Brustkrebs-Patientinnen [11] bzw. 22% der Gesamtstichprobe von 170 Krebspatienten [12] die Misteltherapie.…”