Trends in Complementary and Alternative Medicine Adoption by Cancer Patients

The use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) in cancer patients is increasing. However, some patients are reluctant to disclose their use to their oncology treatment team. Often, the consumption of these products is not well studied, and little is known about their potential interactions with chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or biological methods, and their relationship to treatment outcomes.

In the present study, we examined the rate of supplement use in cancer patients treated with chemotherapy.

Patients who came to the University Cancer and Chemotherapy Center for treatment were asked to complete an anonymous questionnaire to assess their use of CAM.

Among 395 patients, 62.5% reported using at least one type of CAM after their cancer diagnosis. The primary reasons for CAM use among participants were managing chemotherapy-related toxicities, reducing anxiety, and sedation. Vitamin and mineral use was reported by 72.4% of respondents, with vitamin D being the most popular (47.3% of respondents reporting use).

The use of CAM is common among many cancer patients. CAM products may interact with chemotherapy drugs, potentially affecting treatment outcomes. Therefore, it is very important to take an accurate history of these products in every chemotherapy session in order to assess the safety of CAM consumption. Further research is required to evaluate the impact of CAM use on the efficacy and safety of cancer treatments.