Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 26, 2026
05:56
Acupoint Application Combined with Acupressure as an Adjunctive Therapy for Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting
Published on: June 21, 2024
Complementary medicine use among Moroccan patients with cancer: a descriptive study
Sami Aziz Brahmi1, Fatema Zahra El M'rabet, Zineb Benbrahim
1Medical Oncology Unit, Hassan II University Hospital, Fez, Morocco.
The Pan African Medical Journal
|December 22, 2011
Summary
Complementary medicine use is common among cancer patients in Morocco, with plants and religious practices being popular. Many patients do not disclose their use to oncologists, highlighting a need for better communication.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Complementary and Alternative Medicine Research
Background:
- Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) use is increasing in cancer care.
- Limited data exists on CAM utilization among cancer patients in emerging economies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To estimate the prevalence of complementary medicine (CM) use in cancer patients.
- To describe the types and reasons for CM use in a Moroccan oncology setting.
Main Methods:
- A descriptive study was conducted in the medical oncology department at the University Hospital of Fez.
- A questionnaire assessed CM use in 100 cancer patients over six months (September 2008 - February 2009).
Main Results:
- 46% of cancer patients used complementary medicine, with plants (24%), honey (13%), and holy water (11%) being most common.
- Religious practices (37%), special diets (22%), and traditional healers (11%) were frequent techniques.
- No distinct user profile emerged; most users did not inform their oncologists due to unprompted inquiry.
Conclusions:
- Oncologists should proactively inquire about complementary medicine use during patient history taking.
- Further research is needed to evaluate the benefits, toxicity, and interactions of CM with conventional cancer treatments.
Related Concept Videos
02:50Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine
Combining two or more treatment methods increases the life span of cancer patients while reducing damage to vital organs or tissue from the overuse of a single treatment. Combination therapy also targets different cancer-inducing pathways, thus reducing the chances of developing resistance to treatment.
The combination of the drug acetazolamide and sulforaphane is a good example of combination therapy to treat cancer. The cells in the interior of a large tumor often die due to the hypoxic and...
The combination of the drug acetazolamide and sulforaphane is a good example of combination therapy to treat cancer. The cells in the interior of a large tumor often die due to the hypoxic and...
02:18Cancer
Cancers arise due to mutations in genes involved in the regulation of cell division, which leads to unrestricted cell proliferation. Modern science and medicine have made great strides in the understanding and treatment of cancer, including eradicating cancer in some patients. However, there is still no cure for cancer. This is largely due to the fact that cancer is a large group of many diseases.
01:21Cancer Survival Analysis
Cancer survival analysis focuses on quantifying and interpreting the time from a key starting point, such as diagnosis or the initiation of treatment, to a specific endpoint, such as remission or death. This analysis provides critical insights into treatment effectiveness and factors that influence patient outcomes, helping to shape clinical decisions and guide prognostic evaluations. A cornerstone of oncology research, survival analysis tackles the challenges of skewed, non-normally...
02:57Targeted Cancer Therapies
The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
02:49Cancer Therapies
Cancer therapies are various modes of treatment, such as surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy that are administered to cancer patients.
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
02:49Cancer Therapies
Cancer therapies are various modes of treatment, such as surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy that are administered to cancer patients.
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...