Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/1893/1323
Appears in Collections:Faculty of Health Sciences and Sport Journal Articles
Peer Review Status: Refereed
Title: Use of complementary and alternative medicine in cancer patients: a European survey
Author(s): Molassiotis, Alexander
Fernandez-Ortega, Paz
Pud, Dorit
Ozden, Gulten
Scott, Julia
Panteli, Vassiliki
Margulies, Anita
Browall, Maria
Magri, Miriam
Selvekerova, Sarka
Madsen, Elin
Milovics, Ljiljana
Bruyns, Ingrid
Gudmundsdottir, Gudbjorg
Hummerston, Sandra
Ahmad, Aftab M-A
Platin, Nurgun
Kearney, Nora
Patiraki, Elisabeth
Contact Email: nora.kearney@stir.ac.uk
Keywords: alternative medicine
complementary medicine
Europe
herbs
homeopathy
spiritual healing
vitamins
Cancer Alternative treatment
Complementary Thearapies
Spiritual healing
Homeopathy
Issue Date: Apr-2005
Date Deposited: 12-Jun-2009
Citation: Molassiotis A, Fernandez-Ortega P, Pud D, Ozden G, Scott J, Panteli V, Margulies A, Browall M, Magri M, Selvekerova S, Madsen E, Milovics L, Bruyns I, Gudmundsdottir G, Hummerston S, Ahmad AM, Platin N, Kearney N & Patiraki E (2005) Use of complementary and alternative medicine in cancer patients: a European survey. Annals of Oncology, 16 (4), pp. 655-663. https://doi.org/10.1093/annonc/mdi110
Abstract: Background: The aim of this study was to explore the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in cancer patients across a number of European countries. Methods: A descriptive survey design was developed. Fourteen countries participated in the study and data was collected through a descriptive questionnaire from 956 patients. Results: Data suggest that CAM is popular among cancer patients with 35.9% using some form of CAM (range among countries 14.8% to 73.1%). A heterogeneous group of 58 therapies were identified as being used. Herbal medicines and remedies were the most commonly used CAM therapies, together with homeopathy, vitamins/minerals, medicinal teas, spiritual therapies and relaxation techniques. Herbal medicine use tripled from use before diagnosis to use since diagnosis with cancer. Multivariate analysis suggested that the profile of the CAM user was that of younger people, female and with higher educational level. The source of information was mainly from friends/family and the media, while physicians and nurses played a small part in providing CAM-related information. The majority used CAM to increase the body’s ability to fight cancer or improve physical and emotional well-being, and many seemed to have benefited from using CAM (even though the benefits were not necessarily related to the initial reason for using CAM). Some 4.4% of patients, however, reported side-effects, mostly transient. Conclusions: It is imperative that health professionals explore the use of CAM with their cancer patients, educate them about potentially beneficial therapies in light of the limited available evidence of effectiveness, and work towards an integrated model of health-care provision.
DOI Link: 10.1093/annonc/mdi110
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