Complementary and alternative medicine use by patients receiving curative-intent chemotherapy

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Integrative Medicine
• Cancer Care

Background:

• Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use is prevalent among cancer patients.
• Patients often use CAM for supportive care or to treat their cancer directly.
• Decision-making regarding CAM use can be influenced by various sources, including non-professional advice.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify the types of CAM used by cancer patients starting chemotherapy.
• To assess the potential for CAM to interact with chemotherapy efficacy.
• To understand patient motivations for CAM use and their desire for safety information.

Main Methods:

• Interviewed 75 solid tumor cancer patients receiving curative-intent chemotherapy.
• Assessed CAM use on the day of their first chemotherapy dose.
• Evaluated potential interactions between CAM and prescribed chemotherapy.

Main Results:

• 60% of patients used CAM at the start of chemotherapy.
• 27% used biologically active CAM with potential to interact with chemotherapy.
• Patients used CAM for supportive care (51%) and cancer treatment (28%).
• Advice from various sources influenced CAM decisions; 13% were advised against chemotherapy.
• 84% desired information on safe CAM use with chemotherapy.

Conclusions:

• Cancer patients, especially those with prior CAM use, may take CAM that compromises chemotherapy.
• Patients actively seek evidence-based information from healthcare professionals regarding safe CAM use.
• Healthcare providers should address patients' CAM use and potential misinformation, including advice to forgo chemotherapy.