Practices, Attitudes, and Beliefs Associated With Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) Use Among Cancer Patients

Abstract

Introduction The high prevalence of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use among cancer patients (40 – 83%) receiving conventional treatment and the complex relationship between the psychosocial factors that may contribute to or result from CAM use requires further understanding. We conducted a descriptive mixed-methods pilot study to understand CAM practices, attitudes and beliefs among cancer patients at the Loma Linda University Medical Center (LLUMC). Methods This was the qualitative phase of the study and no hypotheses were set. Twenty-three face-to-face interviews were conducted and thematic coding was used to analyze 22 interview transcriptions. There were fourteen CAM users (64%) and eight non-users (36%). Findings The themes present among those who used CAM were: physicians viewed as one aspect of health care options, a holistic view on wellbeing, satisfaction with CAM use, and three key coping methods (confrontive, supportive, and optimistic) to confront cancer. Themes were not independent of each other. Two themes were present among nonusers; nonusers trusted their physician and were more likely to express evasive coping methods. Discussion Perceptions and behavioral patterns are complex predictors of CAM use. A better understanding of CAM, medical pluralism, and the perceptions of patients would help health care providers deliver a better quality of care. The promotion of integrative care may help health care providers better identify medical pluralism and would shift focus to patient-centered care.

Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use and Benefit Finding Among Cancer Patients

“…As the evidence base of certain CAM treatments has grown, patients are increasingly interested in comprehensive, integrative cancer care that considers not only physical but also psychological and spiritual well-being. 3 …”

Acupuncture and Moxibustion for Cancer-related Fatigue: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

“…The acupuncture and moxibustion treatments have been applying to alleviate CRF in China since thousands of years ago (Lyons et al, 2012). Nowadays, when routine and classical therapies failed to treat CRF, or cannot tolerate them, more and more patients worldwide are willing to attempt acupuncture and moxibustion (Hou and Li, 2009;Arthur et al, 2012). However, different patients have various feedbacks; different clinical trials appeared various conclusions (Wen et al, 2009).…”

“…Faced with persistent and heavy disease burden, as well as numerous side effects on account for chemo-radiotherapy etc, an increasing number of patients suffered from cancer has been trying Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM), such as acupuncture and moxibustion. CAM appears far more influential and popular than previously considered as an efficacious portion of cancer treatments in recent years, especially for its unique advantages on managing side effects (Arthur et al, 2012;Huntley Valois et al, 2012;Ip et al, 2012).…”

Iskustva onkoloških bolesnika u primjeni alternativnih i komplementarnih metoda liječenja

“…Ovo istraživanje pokazalo je da postoji česta upotreba komplementarne i alternativne medicine, i to kod 46,3 % onkoloških bolesnika, što se podudara s rezultatima prijašnjih istraživanja. 10,[18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25] Bolesnicima je bio ponuđen popis od 28 produkata/ tehnika KAM-a. Melatonin, valerijanu, hipnozu, biofeedback i žrtvene rituale kao oblik KAM-a koji upotrebljava (ili je upotrebljavao ili će upotrebljavati) nije označio nijedan sudionik.…”

“…Mali broj studija pokazuje drugačije rezultate u kojima je pola ili više od pola bolesnika prijavilo upotrebu KAMa, 2,23 dok većina pokazuje slične rezultate. 6,10,21,23,25,36 Kao razlog bolesnici u našem istraživanju najčešće navode: negativan stav zdravstvenih djelatnika (liječnika) pre-…”