Use of Alternative and Complementary Medicine in Patients With Malignant Diseases in High-Volume Cancer Center and Future Aspects

Abstract

SUMMARY -Usage of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is steadily increasing over the last decades, gaining medical, economic and sociological importance. Th e aim of the present study was to assess the use of complementary and alternative therapies in cancer patients. A crosssectional, descriptive survey design was used to collect data through an anonymous questionnaire. A total of 267 patients were included in the study. Th e prevalence of CAM use among cancer patients in this study was 60.3%. It was found that 61 heterogeneous CAM therapies were used, the most popular among patients being naturopathy/folk medicine. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, independent predictors of CAM use were high income, divorced status, female sex and younger age. In conclusion, considering the fact that a large proportion of patients used at least one CAM approach, we need to continue our eff orts to improve the patient-oncologist communication in order to deliver most reliable information to patients and to better understand the possible standard medicine-CAM interactions. According to results of the latest studies, CAM therapies that help manage pain, nausea, fatigue, anxiety, and other symptoms should be integrated into the patient overall care.

Prevalence of the Use of Herbal Medicines among Patients with Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…Overall, 130 studies (that met the eligibility criteria) were incorporated in the meta-analysis of the prevalence of herbal medicine usage by adult patients with cancer [ 3 – 12 , 14 – 29 , 31 – 36 , 38 , 39 , 55 – 59 , 61 , 62 , 64 – 81 , 83 – 101 , 103 – 105 , 107 , 109 – 117 , 120 , 122 – 125 , 127 – 131 , 134 , 136 , 138 – 142 , 144 , 145 , 147 – 150 , 152 – 156 , 158 – 164 , 166 – 168 ]. The lowest crude prevalence was 1% (95% CI: 0%–1%) and the highest was 86% (95% CI: 78%–92%).…”

“…St. John's wort, specifically, was found to reduce the levels of plasma irinotecan, docetaxel, and imatinib mesylate antichemotherapeutic agents' concentrations [ 31 ]. Additionally, other herbs commonly used in cancer have been found to cause bleeding tendencies following surgery (e.g., ginkgo, garlic), hypoglycemia (e.g., ginseng), and hepatotoxicity (e.g., kava) and possess carcinogenic or negative tumor moderating effects [ 4 , 35 , 39 ]. In addition, heavy metal contamination in some herbal medicines may alter the pharmacokinetic profile of commonly used conventional cancer treatments [ 24 , 38 , 40 ].…”

Consensus guidelines for improving patients' understanding of invasive fungal disease and related risk prevention in the haematology/oncology setting, 2021

“…15 International studies report the use of CAM in up to 68% of cancer patients, with common modalities including naturopathy, vitamins and herbs, and movement and physical therapies. [16][17][18] A significant proportion of patients with cancer does not inform their treating team of their use of CAM. 18 There are known interactions between some commonly used CAM and antifungal agents.…”

Open dialogue about complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) integrated in conventional oncology care, characteristics and impact. A systematic review

“…by reducing side effects such as nausea and vomiting [23,24], fear, fatigue, depression, and pain [20]. CAM also enhances hope [25], self-care, self-control and empowerment [17,26]. In that sense, an open dialogue characterized as a person-centered conversation between a patient and a health professional where the health professional in a non-judgmental manner respects the patient's needs, preferences, values, and reasons for using CAM and supports evidence based knowledge about CAM, is essential in guiding both parties towards the best possible way of improving the patient's quality of life and well-being [27,28].…”

“…In that sense, an open dialogue characterized as a person-centered conversation between a patient and a health professional where the health professional in a non-judgmental manner respects the patient's needs, preferences, values, and reasons for using CAM and supports evidence based knowledge about CAM, is essential in guiding both parties towards the best possible way of improving the patient's quality of life and well-being [27,28]. In fact, given the potentially harmful interactions between certain types of CAM and conventional oncology medicine [1,29,30], it is crucial that health professionals and patients openly discuss the use or wish to use CAM -both in terms of patient safety, quality of life, and well-being [25,[31][32][33][34]. Studies suggest that open dialogue about CAM integrated in oncology visits leads to increased patient engagement, more patientcentered communication.…”