Herbal and Dietary Supplement Use among Adult Patients Undergoing Treatment at a Tertiary Hospital Cancer Center

Abstract

The use of herbal and dietary supplement in cancer patients has been increasing over the past years, while the risk of its adverse effects and undesirable reactions with conventional treatment has also been accumulating. Limited studies involving perception of herbal and dietary supplements (HDS) by cancer patients have been conducted in our setting. An initial survey was conducted among adult cancer patients undergoing treatment at the Zamboanga City Medical Center (ZCMC) Cancer Institute. HDS users were recruited for focus group discussion (FGD) via purposive sampling. A total of four groups were conducted. Clinical and demographic data were presented through descriptive statistics while data from the FGD were subjected to coding and thematic analysis. Among 22 respondents, more than half (65.4%) of the participants were noted to have used HDS and most (54.5%) were breast cancer patients with stage-II and -III disease. Treatment of cancer, coping with chemotherapy, and relief of symptoms were the major reasons for use. Majority (36.36%) were influenced by the media/internet and most (50%) did not disclose information to their physician. Eight respondents, whose income were below minimum wage, spent more than 25% of their income on HDS, with some having spent more than 50%. This may seriously limit funds and result in failure to adhere to treatment. Among cancer patients in ZCMC, HDS use is widely practiced and half of them do not disclose this information to their physicians. The expenditure on HDS consumes 25 to 50% of the population's meager monthly income. The secrecy surrounding its use and attendant cost may possibly limit adherence and adversely affect outcomes.