Frequent use of complementary medicine by prostate cancer patients

To assess the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) by prostate cancer patients and to characterize CAM-users in this population.

Prostate cancer patients who underwent routine follow-up at urological practices completed an anonymous, self-administered questionnaire on lower urinary tract function, sexuality, quality of life and use of CAM. All patients with biopsy proven cancer irrespective of age, stage and therapy were eligible.

822 men (69+/-8.5 years; range: 45-95) entered this survey. 245 men (29.8%) used at least one form of CAM, most frequent forms were fat-reduced diet (13.3%), selenium (10.8%) and vitamin E (9.3%). CAM-users did not differ regarding age (68.6 vs. 69.2 years), time interval between diagnosis and current evaluation (4.4 vs. 3.8 years) and PSA at diagnosis (24.9 vs. 18.5 ng/ml) from non-users. CAM-use was dependent on primary therapy (radical prostatectomy: 23.3%, radiotherapy: 31.6%, endocrine therapy: 38.8%) and disease progression. CAM-users were generally less satisfied with their treatment and rated health status and quality of life lower than those not using CAM (all p<0.001).

CAM is used by almost 1/3 of prostate cancer patients in Austria, particularly by those with disease progression, impaired quality of life and treatment satisfaction. Urologists have to be aware of this fact and require a detailed knowledge on this issue to provide objective and evidence-based information.