Unconventional cancer therapy ?survey of patients with gynaecological malignancy

Münstedt, Karsten; Kirsch, K.; Milch, Wolfgang; Sachsse, S.; Vahrson, H

doi:10.1007/bf00626028

Cited by 32 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…The authors suggested that this may be due to patients resorting to non-conventional therapy when less hope of cure is given by the physicians. In contrast, other studies have demonstrated that CAM use is not associated with more advanced disease stage [29-31]. This may be related to the complexity of underlying psychological and behavioural mechanisms influencing the use of CAM in cancer patients such as attitude, family support and coping behaviour as have been shown by previous reports [32,33].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 83%

Complementary and alternative medicine use in oncology: A questionnaire survey of patients and health care professionals

et al. 2011

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BackgroundWe aimed to investigate the prevalence and predictors of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) use among cancer patients and non-cancer volunteers, and to assess the knowledge of and attitudes toward CAM use in oncology among health care professionals.MethodsThis is a cross-sectional questionnaire survey conducted in a single institution in Ireland. Survey was performed in outpatient and inpatient settings involving cancer patients and non-cancer volunteers. Clinicians and allied health care professionals were asked to complete a different questionnaire.ResultsIn 676 participants including 219 cancer patients; 301 non-cancer volunteers and 156 health care professionals, the overall prevalence of CAM use was 32.5% (29.1%, 30.9% and 39.7% respectively in the three study cohorts). Female gender (p < 0.001), younger age (p = 0.004), higher educational background (p < 0.001), higher annual household income (p = 0.001), private health insurance (p = 0.001) and non-Christian (p < 0.001) were factors associated with more likely CAM use. Multivariate analysis identified female gender (p < 0.001), non-Christian (p = 0.001) and private health insurance (p = 0.015) as independent predictors of CAM use. Most health care professionals thought they did not have adequate knowledge (58.8%) nor were up to date with the best evidence (79.2%) on CAM use in oncology. Health care professionals who used CAM were more likely to recommend it to patients (p < 0.001).ConclusionsThis study demonstrates a similarly high prevalence of CAM use among oncology health care professionals, cancer and non cancer patients. Patients are more likely to disclose CAM usage if they are specifically asked. Health care professionals are interested to learn more about various CAM therapies and have poor evidence-based knowledge on specific oncology treatments. There is a need for further training to meet to the escalation of CAM use among patients and to raise awareness of potential benefits and risks associated with these therapies.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 83%

Complementary and alternative medicine use in oncology: A questionnaire survey of patients and health care professionals

et al. 2011

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“…At present, 38–60% of all cancer patients in Western industrialized countries take advantage of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) during the course of their disease and to support their treatment [1]. In the case of breast cancer, the figure is even as high as 90% [2, 3]. Breast cancer patients and gynecological cancer patients in particular, are the group with the highest percentage usage of integrative methods [1, 4, 5].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Gynecologic oncologists’ attitudes and practices relating to integrative medicine: results of a nationwide AGO survey

Klein

Beckmann

Bader

et al. 2017

Arch Gynecol Obstet

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PurposeThe growing popularity and acceptance of integrative medicine is evident both among patients and among the oncologists treating them. As little data are available regarding health-care professionals’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices relating to the topic, a nationwide online survey was designed.MethodsOver a period of 11 weeks (from July 15 to September 30, 2014) a self-administered, 17-item online survey was sent to all 676 members of the Research Group on Gynecological Oncology (Arbeitsgemeinschaft Gynäkologische Onkologie) in the German Cancer Society. The questionnaire items addressed the use of integrative therapy methods, fields of indications for them, advice services provided, level of specific qualifications, and other topics.ResultsOf the 104 respondents (15.4%) using integrative medicine, 93% reported that integrative therapy was offered to breast cancer patients. The second most frequent type of tumor in connection with which integrative therapy methods were recommended was ovarian cancer, at 80% of the participants using integrative medicine. Exercise, nutritional therapy, dietary supplements, herbal medicines, and acupuncture were the methods the patients were most commonly advised to use.ConclusionThere is considerable interest in integrative medicine among gynecological oncologists, but integrative therapy approaches are at present poorly implemented in routine clinical work. Furthermore there is a lack of specific training. Whether future efforts should focus on extending counseling services on integrative medicine approaches in gynecologic oncology or not, have to be discussed. Evidence-based training on integrative medicine should be implemented in order to safely guide patients in their wish to do something by themselves.

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“…Well-known examples of medical specialties in which CAM therapies are frequently used are oncology and obstetrics [1, 2]. In the past, medical schools tended to focus on the question of whether CAM should be taught to medical students at all, but the debate has now moved on to how much, which methods and when CAM should be taught [3, 4].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Comparison of Current Knowledge, Attitudes and Interest among German Medical Students and Doctors

Münstedt

Harren

Georgi

et al. 2011

Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine

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Although it has been agreed that complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) should be included in the German medical curriculum, there is no consensus on which methods and how it should be taught. This study aimed to assess needs for CAM education by evaluating current knowledge, attitudes and interests of medical students, general physicians and gynecologists. Two instruments based on established and validated questionnaires were developed. One was given to seventh semester medical students and the other to office-based doctors. Data were analyzed by bivariate correlation and cross-tabulation. Altogether 550 questionnaires were distributed—280 to doctors and 270 to medical students. Completed questionnaires were returned by 80.4% of students and 78.2% of doctors. Although 73.8% (160/219) of doctors and 40% (87/217) of students had already informed themselves about CAM, neither group felt that they knew much about CAM. Doctors believed that CAM was most useful in general medicine, supportive oncology, pediatrics, dermatology and gynecology, while students believed that dermatology, general medicine, psychiatry and rheumatology offered opportunities; both recommended that CAM should be taught in these areas. Both groups believed that CAM should be included in medical education; however, they believed that CAM needed more investigation and should be taught “critically". German doctors and students would like to be better informed about CAM. An approach which teaches fundamental competences to students, chooses specific content based on evidence, demographics and medical conditions and provides students with the skills they need for future learning should be adopted.

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Unconventional cancer therapy ?survey of patients with gynaecological malignancy

Cited by 32 publications

References 8 publications

Complementary and alternative medicine use in oncology: A questionnaire survey of patients and health care professionals

Complementary and alternative medicine use in oncology: A questionnaire survey of patients and health care professionals

Gynecologic oncologists’ attitudes and practices relating to integrative medicine: results of a nationwide AGO survey

Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Comparison of Current Knowledge, Attitudes and Interest among German Medical Students and Doctors

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