Evaluation of complementary and alternative medicine use in cancer patients: A survey study in Turkey

Abstract

Introduction

This study aimed to evaluate the characteristics of cancer patients using complementary medicine (CM) and determine possible herb-drug interactions.

Methods

We prepared a questionnaire about CM, that included questions about the frequency of CM use, the reasons for using CM, if there was any side effect, CM’s cost, the patient's expectations of CM, whether the following doctor was aware of the patient's CM use, and whether it should be paid for by health insurance, and asked patients to fill it out at the chemotherapy unit. Socio-demographic characteristics and medical data of patients including cancer type, stage, and current treatment protocol were also noted. The data was analyzed using SPSS Statics version 26.

Results

245 patients participated in the study. The prevalence of CM use was 34.7 %. The median number of herbal supplements used per patient was 3. CM users were younger [CM user group mean age 54.74 ( ± 12.17), CM non-user group mean age 58.07 ( ± 12.70), p = 0.04]. No other significant difference was found between the CM users and CM non-users. The majority of patients used Propolis (40 %), Curcuma longa (38.8 %), and Nigella sativa (32.9 %). 72.9 % of patients were using CM to complement chemotherapy's efficacy by boosting immunity; 58.8 % were using it to mitigate the side effects of chemotherapy, 34.1 % to treat cancer, and 2.4 % to prevent recurrence. 94.1 % of CM users declared that they were satisfied with CM, 7 patients (8.2 %) reported side effects such as cutaneous side effects (4), diarrhea (2), and elevated liver function tests (1). 41.2 % of CM users continued CM during chemotherapy and 64 possible CM-drug interactions were identified.

Conclusions

CM may be nonharmful and efficient but may also be detrimental because of drug interactions. Physicians should not ignore CM and patients should better be informed about CM by healthcare providers.