Prevalence and Correlates of Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use among Patients with Lung Cancer: A Cross‐Sectional Study in Beirut, Lebanon

Abstract

Patients with lung cancer are increasingly seeking complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) to improve their physiological and psychological well-being. This study aimed to assess CAM use among lung cancer patients in Lebanon. Using a cross-sectional design, 150 lung cancer patients attending the Basile Cancer Institute at the American University of Beirut Medical Center were interviewed. Participants completed a questionnaire addressing sociodemographic characteristics, lung cancer condition, and use of CAM. The main outcome of interest was “use of any CAM therapy since diagnosis.” Prevalence of CAM use was 41%. The most commonly used CAM modality among study participants was “dietary supplements/special foods.” Results of the multiple logistic regression analyses showed that CAM use was positively associated with Lebanese nationality and paying for treatment out of pocket and was negatively associated with unemployment and having other chronic diseases. About 10% of patients used CAM on an alternative base, 58% did not disclose CAM use to their physician, and only 2% cited health professionals as influencing their choice of CAM. This study revealed a prevalent CAM use among lung cancer patients in Lebanon, with a marginal role for physicians in guiding this use. Promoting an open-communication and a patient-centered approach regarding CAM use is warranted.

Complementary and integrative medicine mention and recommendations: A systematic review and quality assessment of lung cancer clinical practice guidelines

“…3 Research has shown that complementary and integrative medicine (CIM) use among lung cancer patients ranges between 20-40%. 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 Complementary medicine is defined as a non-mainstream practice or procedure that is not part of standard medical care, used in combination with conventional medicine. Integrative medicine is defined as conventional and complementary approaches brought together in a coordinated way to treat the patient holistically.…”

Beliefs, practices and knowledge of community pharmacists regarding complementary and alternative medicine: national cross-sectional study in Lebanon

“…About one-third of Lebanese adults (29.87%) were reported to use CAM in 2015, with the most prevalent being CAM products, specifically herbal supplements 7. Higher rates of use were reported among patients with chronic diseases such as infertility (41%),27 lung cancer (41%),28 and HIV and AIDS conditions (46.6%) 29. A common finding to most of the aforementioned studies was the low rate of disclosure to the treating physicians 7 26 28 30–32.…”

“…Higher rates of use were reported among patients with chronic diseases such as infertility (41%),27 lung cancer (41%),28 and HIV and AIDS conditions (46.6%) 29. A common finding to most of the aforementioned studies was the low rate of disclosure to the treating physicians 7 26 28 30–32. This raised concerns about CAM safety, efficacy and impact on the patient health, especially when its use is coupled with poor regulatory frameworks 26…”

In vitro Cytotoxicity of Hibiscus sabdariffa Linn Extracts on A549 Lung Cancer Cell Line

“…8,9 Therefore, cancer patients may tend to choose alternative treatment that is considered cheaper and has no side effects, as stated in the study of Naja et al Naja et al are also stated that the prevalence of alternative medicine users among lung cancer patients is 41%, with the most commonly used modality is dietary supplements, and herbal remedies. 10 In this regard, the study about potential anticancer from the herbs is widely conducted by many researchers.…”