scholarly journals Complementary and Alternative Therapies Used by Turkish Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy

Breast Care ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 7 (6) ◽  
pp. 471-475 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gulbeyaz Can ◽  
Melike Demir ◽  
Adnan Aydiner
2020 ◽  
Vol 19 ◽  
pp. 153473542098391
Author(s):  
Chieh-Ying Chin ◽  
Yung-Hsiang Chen ◽  
Shin-Chung Wu ◽  
Chien-Ting Liu ◽  
Yun-Fang Lee ◽  
...  

Background Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is becoming more common in medical practice, but little is known about the concurrent use of CAM and conventional treatment. Therefore, the aim was to investigate the types of CAM used and their prevalence in a regional patient cohort with breast cancer (BC). Methods BC patients were interviewed with a structured questionnaire survey on the use of CAM in southern Taiwan at an Integrative Breast Cancer Center (IBCC). The National Centre for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) classification was used to group responses. Over a period of 8 months, all patients receiving treatment for cancer at the IBCC were approached. Results A total of 106 BC patients completed the survey (response rate: 79.7%). The prevalence of CAM use was 82.4%. Patients who were employed, were receiving radiotherapy and hormone therapy, and had cancer for a longer duration were more likely to use CAM ( P < .05). Multivariate analysis identified employment as an independent predictor of CAM use (OR = 6.92; 95% CI = 1.33-36.15). Dietary supplementation (n = 69, 82.1%) was the type of CAM most frequently used, followed by exercise (n = 48, 57.1%) and traditional Chinese medicine (n = 29, 34.5%). The main reason for using CAM was to ameliorate the side effects of conventional therapies. Almost half (46.4%) of these CAM users did not disclose that they were using it in medical consultations with their physicians. Most chose to use CAM due to recommendations from family and friends. Conclusion A large portion of BC patients at the IBCC undergoing anti-cancer treatment courses used CAM, but less than half discussed it with their physicians. Given the high prevalence of CAM, it would be justifiable to direct further resources toward this service so that cancer patients can benefit from a holistic approach to their treatment.


2018 ◽  
Vol 188 (1) ◽  
pp. 282-296
Author(s):  
Márcia Fernanda Correia Jardim Paz ◽  
Antônio Luiz Gomes Júnior ◽  
Marcus Vinícius Oliveira Barros de Alencar ◽  
Shams Tabrez ◽  
Muhammad Torequl Islam ◽  
...  

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (13) ◽  
pp. 2194-2203
Author(s):  
Muthia Deliana ◽  
Dewi Elizadiani Suza ◽  
Rosina Tarigan

BACKGROUND: Proper treatment of cancer can make it easier for the healing process. Delay in patients seeking treatment is a problem that often occurs today. Handling of complementary and alternative therapies, which is not appropriate is one of the causes of delay in seeking treatment, which worsens the patient's condition. Patients usually come to health services already diagnosed with advanced cancer. AIM: The purpose of this study is to explore the experience of advanced cancer patients in seeking treatment. METHODS: This study is qualitative research with descriptive phenomenology approach. Participants in this study were 15 advanced cancer patients who were treated in the chemotherapy room at Adam Malik General Hospital Medan and Murni Teguh Hospital using purposive sampling technique. Data collection was done with in-depth interviews. All interviews were first recorded and then transcribed. This study was analysed using the Colaizzi approach method. RESULTS: The six main themes indicated that advanced-stage cancer patients for seeking treatment. Themes such as 1) choose the complementary and alternative treatment rather than medical treatment, 2) seek medical treatment as a final decision, 3) integrating complementary treatment as supportive therapy in addition to medical treatment, 4) external sources influence patient decisions, 5) reduce negative feelings by surrendering to God, and 6) lack of involvement of basic health services. CONCLUSION: Advanced cancer patients have experience using complementary and alternative therapies, which are not appropriate before using a medical treatment on the grounds of distrust of medical treatment and advice from the environment around patients. The importance of nurses in providing appropriate education related to complementary and alternative treatment to cancer patients according to the stage of the disease.


2012 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 291
Author(s):  
Luz Angela Diaz ◽  
Lilian Torregrosa ◽  
Luisa Benavidez ◽  
Marcela Mercado ◽  
Susana Fiorentino

The present study estimates the frequency of the use of plant-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) by breast cancer patients. From June to December of 2011, a self-administered questionnaire was given to 404 breast cancer patients receiving outpatient therapy at the Javeriana Oncology Center of the Hospital Universitario San Ignacio in Bogotá. The prevalence of patient CAM use was 57%, out of which 76% was based on plants like anamú, aloe, red fruits and soursop. Sixty-five percent of the patients had a positive perception of using  medicinal plants and 57% used them simultaneously with the oncologist recommended allopathic treatment. We concluded that the frequency of CAM use in breast cancer patients at the Javeriana Oncology Center is within the prevalence range reported worldwide, despite differences in CAM types and frequencies. The high rates of plant-based CAM use without physician consent, brings about the lack of assessment of the synergic or antagonistic effects of CAM therapies on the allopathic treatment of breast cancer and evaluation of the antitumor and  immunomodulatory potential of the traditionally used plants.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document