Self-Medication during and after Cancer: A French Nation-Wide Cross-Sectional Study
Julie Maraud1, Sabrina Bedhomme2, Bruno Pereira3
1UFR de Pharmacie, Université Clermont Auvergne, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France.
Cancers
|June 28, 2023
Summary
More than half of cancer patients and survivors engage in self-medication, often using supplements and pain relievers. This practice may indicate undertreated symptoms and adverse effects from cancer therapies.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
- Public Health
Background:
- Limited data exists on self-medication practices among cancer patients in Western countries.
- This study addresses the prevalence of self-medication in both active cancer patients and cancer survivors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of self-medication in cancer patients and survivors.
- To identify types of medications used, perceived risks, and associations with symptoms and quality of life.
Main Methods:
- A multicenter, cross-sectional study utilizing an online survey.
- Data collected from 518 participants, including cancer patients and survivors.
Main Results:
- Over half (56.4%) of participants reported practicing self-medication.
- Commonly used items included dietary supplements and pain medications.
- Primary reasons for self-medication were managing adverse effects (63.8%) and enhancing therapy efficacy (43.8%).
- Most patients underestimated risks, believing self-medication posed no drug interactions (84.9%) or adverse effects (84.6%).
- Self-medication correlated with pain, insomnia, altered social functioning, and financial difficulties.
Conclusions:
- Self-medication is prevalent among cancer patients and survivors.
- It may signal inadequate management of cancer and its treatment-related side effects.
- Further research is needed to understand the implications and risks of self-medication in oncology.
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