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Use of complementary and alternative medicine among patients with cancer in a sub-Himalayan state in India: An
Laxman Pandey1, Rajesh Pasricha1, Deepa Joseph1
1Department of Radiation Oncology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, 249203, India.
Background:
The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is widespread among cancer patients in India.
Objective:
The present study elucidated usage patterns of CAM and the factors responsible for its adoption among the patients with cancer, and the therapeutic impact of CAM.
Materials And Methods:
This was a questionnaire-based study, conducted among patients with cancer in a tertiary care hospital in a sub-Himalayan city. Data were analyzed using statistical methods.
Results:
A total of 2614 patients with cancer were included. Almost half of the patients (n = 1208, 46.2%) reported to have been treated with CAM. Breast cancer (n = 274, 23.0%) was most prevalent with majority at advanced stages. Ayurveda (n = 428, 35.9%) Yoga/Naturopathy (n = 381, 32.0%) Homeopathy (n = 143, 12.0%) and Unani (n = 71, 5.9%) were used commonly. Among CAM users, 85.0% (n = 1012) of patients used CAM as the sole method of treatment, while 58.9% (n = 702) patients reported initial symptomatic benefit.
Conclusion:
Using CAM benefitted a significant number of patients with cancer. However, there is an urgent need to integrate CAM with modern system of medicine.
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