The Role of CAM (Complementary and Alternative Medicine): The Different Perspectives of Patients, Oncology Professionals and CAM Practitioners

Perception of risk and communication among conventional and complementary health care providers involving cancer patients’ use of complementary therapies: a literature review

“…Twenty-seven studies [ 14 , 23 – 25 , 30 – 52 ] with a variety of qualitative study designs, such as focus groups and individual interviews, videotaped studies, literature reviews, opinion of experts and mixed studies were included in this review. Of these studies, 12 included complementary providers [ 35 – 42 , 48 , 50 – 52 ], 5 included oncology experts (doctors and nurses) [ 24 , 25 , 43 , 44 , 46 ] and 11 included physicians [ 14 , 23 , 30 – 34 , 45 , 47 , 49 , 52 ].…”

“…Direct risks were identified as adverse effects, interactions and toxicity of complementary therapies in this review. We found that eight studies addressed this theme [ 24 , 25 , 30 , 35 – 37 , 49 , 51 ]. Patients should be fully informed of the nature of the specific complementary modalities, potential risks and benefits, and realistic expectations.…”

“…Patients should be fully informed of the nature of the specific complementary modalities, potential risks and benefits, and realistic expectations. Complementary products that may interact with conventional cancer treatments, should not be used concurrently with chemotherapy, as they lessen the effectiveness of the latter [ 24 , 25 , 35 ]. However, it is possible to use other complementary products (that do not interact) concurrently with anticancer drugs [ 35 ].…”

“…Complementary products that may interact with conventional cancer treatments, should not be used concurrently with chemotherapy, as they lessen the effectiveness of the latter [ 24 , 25 , 35 ]. However, it is possible to use other complementary products (that do not interact) concurrently with anticancer drugs [ 35 ]. This information should be communicated to cancer patients so that they can take this into consideration in their decision-making.…”

“…A total of 18 studies addressed the theme of risk communication [ 14 , 23 – 25 , 30 – 33 , 35 – 38 , 43 , 46 – 48 , 51 , 52 ]. Well-functioning communication has been associated with trust in conventional health care and positive health outcomes.…”