Online Information on Complementary and Alternative Medicine for Cancer Patients: Evidence-Based Recommendations

Onkologie ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 36 (5) ◽  
pp. 2-2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jutta Huebner ◽  
Bianca Senf ◽  
Oliver Micke ◽  
Ralph Muecke ◽  
Christoph Stoll ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alternative Medicine ◽  
Complementary And Alternative Medicine ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Online Information ◽  
Complementary And Alternative

scholarly journals Addressing Unmet Information Needs: Results of a Clinician-Led Consultation Service About Complementary and Alternative Medicine for Cancer Patients and Their Relatives

2018 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 1172-1182 ◽  
Author(s):  
Markus Horneber ◽  
Gerd van Ackeren ◽  
Felix Fischer ◽  
Herbert Kappauf ◽  
Josef Birkmann
Keyword(s):  
Alternative Medicine ◽  
Complementary And Alternative Medicine ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Comprehensive Cancer Center ◽  
Cancer Center ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Consultation Service ◽  
Telephone Consultation ◽  
Complementary And Alternative

Purpose. To report on a telephone consultation service with cancer patients and their relatives about complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) between 1999 and 2011. Methods. We offered a Germany-wide, free-of-charge telephone consultation service about CAM led by oncology clinicians from a comprehensive cancer center. The consultations followed a patient-centered approach with the aim to provide guidance and evidence-based information. Sociodemographic, disease-related data as well as information about the consultations’ content were collected in a standardized manner, and feedback questionnaires were sent out immediately after the consultations. Results. Overall, 5269 callers from all over Germany used the service (57% patients, 43% relatives). The “big 4” cancer types (breast, gastrointestinal, prostate, and lung) accounted for 55% of all calls. In 67% of calls, patients had just received the diagnosis or commenced anticancer therapy; 69% of patients had advanced or metastatic diseases. More than half of the callers (55%) had vague concerns like “what else can I do?” rather than specific questions related to CAM. The consultations covered a broad spectrum of issues from CAM therapies to cancer treatment and measures supportive of health, nutrition, and psychosocial support. Callers highly valued the service. Conclusions. Consulting about CAM addresses important unmet needs from cancer patients and their relatives. It provides clinicians with the opportunity to engage in open and supportive dialogues about evidence-based CAM to help with symptom management, psychological support, and individual self-care. Consulting about CAM cannot be separated from consulting about conventional care and should be provided from the beginning of the cancer journey.

scholarly journals Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use in Breast Cancer Patients at a Medical Center in Taiwan: A Cross-Sectional Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 ◽  
pp. 153473542098391
Author(s):  
Chieh-Ying Chin ◽  
Yung-Hsiang Chen ◽  
Shin-Chung Wu ◽  
Chien-Ting Liu ◽  
Yun-Fang Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Alternative Medicine ◽  
Complementary And Alternative Medicine ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Cancer Center ◽  
Breast Cancer Patients ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Cam Use ◽  
Complementary And Alternative

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.

scholarly journals Evidence-based Research in Complementary and Alternative Medicine I: History

2005 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 453-458 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesco Chiappelli ◽  
Paolo Prolo ◽  
Olivia S. Cajulis
Keyword(s):  
Alternative Medicine ◽  
Complementary And Alternative Medicine ◽  
Traditional Medicine ◽  
Western Medicine ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Medical Treatments ◽  
Medical Interventions ◽  
Philosophical Foundations ◽  
Medical Tradition ◽  
Complementary And Alternative

Contemporary Western medicine has witnessed a fragmentation of our conceptualization of the medical endeavor into ‘traditional medicine’ and ‘non-traditional medicine’. The former is meant to refer to the Western medical tradition, the latter encompasses both ‘complementary’ and ‘alternative’ medical practices. Complementary medicine complements conventional medical treatments, and alternative modes of medical interventions are meant to replace traditional Western medicine. Evidence-based research must be directed at establishing the best available evidence in complementary and alternative medicine. This paper is the first of a set of four ‘lectures’ that reviews the process of evidence-based research, and discusses its implications and applications for the early decades of the 21st century. The purpose of this paper is to introduce the series by examining some of the historical and philosophical foundations of this research endeavor.

scholarly journals Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) in cancer patients: an Italian multicenter Survey

2016 ◽  
Vol 27 ◽  
pp. iv113
Author(s):  
M. Berretta ◽  
C. Dellapeppa ◽  
P. Tralongo ◽  
A. Fulvi ◽  
A. Lleshi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alternative Medicine ◽  
Complementary And Alternative Medicine ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Multicenter Survey ◽  
Complementary And Alternative

scholarly journals Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use and Benefit Finding Among Cancer Patients

2013 ◽  
Vol 19 (11) ◽  
pp. 876-881 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sheila N. Garland ◽  
David Valentine ◽  
Krupali Desai ◽  
Susan Li ◽  
Corey Langer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alternative Medicine ◽  
Complementary And Alternative Medicine ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Benefit Finding ◽  
Medicine Use ◽  
Complementary And Alternative

scholarly journals Quality Assessment of Online Complementary and Alternative Medicine Information Resources Relevant to Cancer

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 ◽  
pp. 153473542110660
Author(s):  
Megan E. Sansevere ◽  
Jeffrey D. White
Keyword(s):  
Alternative Medicine ◽  
Quality Assessment ◽  
Complementary And Alternative Medicine ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Cancer Center ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Healthcare Team ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Complementary And Alternative

Background: Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is often used by cancer patients and survivors in the US. Many people turn to the internet as their first source of information. Health information seeking through the internet can be useful for patients to gain a better understanding of specific CAM treatments to discuss with their healthcare team, but only if the information is comprehensive, high quality, and reliable. The aim of this article is to examine the content, writing/vetting processes, and visibility of cancer CAM online informational resources. Methods: Online CAM resources were identified by Google and PubMed searches, literature reviews, and through sources listed on various websites. The websites were analyzed through a modified online health information evaluation tool, DISCERN (score range = 1-5). The website’s features relevant to the quality assessment were described. Results: Eleven CAM websites were chosen for analysis. The DISCERN analysis showed a range of quality scores from 3.6 to 4.9. Lower DISCERN scores were generally due to deficiencies in describing the writing, editing, and updating processes. A lack of transparency with authorship and references was commonly present. Conclusion: Cancer patients interested in CAM need unbiased, evidence-based, reliable, high-quality, easily accessible educational materials. Individuals should use the guidelines followed in this analysis (including DISCERN and Medline Plus) to find reliable sources. Website developers can use CAM Cancer (NAFKAM), Beyond Conventional Cancer Therapies, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, breastcancer.org , Office of Dietary Supplements, National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, and Cancer.gov as models for trustworthy content.

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