TY - JOUR
T1 - Complementary and alternative medicine use in colorectal cancer patients in seven European countries
AU - Molassiotis, Alexander
AU - Fernandez-Ortega, Paz
AU - Pud, Dorit
AU - Ozden, Gulten
AU - Platin, Nurgun
AU - Hummerston, Sandra
AU - Scott, Julia A.
AU - Panteli, Vassiliki
AU - Gudmundsdottir, Gudbjorg
AU - Selvekerova, Sarka
AU - Patiraki, Elisabeth
AU - Kearney, Nora
PY - 2005/12
Y1 - 2005/12
N2 - Purpose: The aim of the present study was to examine the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in a sample of colorectal cancer patients in Europe. Methods: The study was a descriptive cross-sectional survey and data were collected through a 27-item self-reported questionnaire from seven European countries. Results: As part of a larger study, 126 colorectal cancer patients participated in this survey. Among the participants, 32% used CAM after the diagnosis of cancer. Almost half the CAM therapies used were new therapies, never tried before the diagnosis. The most common CAM therapies used included herbal medicine (48.7%), homeopathy (20.5%), use of vitamins/minerals (17.9%), spiritual therapies (15.4%), medicinal teas (15.4%) and relaxation techniques (12.8%). A dramatic increase was observed in the use of CAM from usage levels before the cancer diagnosis. High levels of satisfaction with CAM were also reported. Patients used CAM more often to increase the body's ability to fight the cancer or to improve physical well-being. However, expectations did not always match with the benefits reported. Conclusions: As one-third of colorectal cancer patients use CAM, health professionals should be more aware of this approach to the patient's management. They should discuss the role of CAM therapies with their patients in a non-judgemental and open manner, and endeavour to provide accurate information in order to allow patients to make their own decision about CAM.
AB - Purpose: The aim of the present study was to examine the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in a sample of colorectal cancer patients in Europe. Methods: The study was a descriptive cross-sectional survey and data were collected through a 27-item self-reported questionnaire from seven European countries. Results: As part of a larger study, 126 colorectal cancer patients participated in this survey. Among the participants, 32% used CAM after the diagnosis of cancer. Almost half the CAM therapies used were new therapies, never tried before the diagnosis. The most common CAM therapies used included herbal medicine (48.7%), homeopathy (20.5%), use of vitamins/minerals (17.9%), spiritual therapies (15.4%), medicinal teas (15.4%) and relaxation techniques (12.8%). A dramatic increase was observed in the use of CAM from usage levels before the cancer diagnosis. High levels of satisfaction with CAM were also reported. Patients used CAM more often to increase the body's ability to fight the cancer or to improve physical well-being. However, expectations did not always match with the benefits reported. Conclusions: As one-third of colorectal cancer patients use CAM, health professionals should be more aware of this approach to the patient's management. They should discuss the role of CAM therapies with their patients in a non-judgemental and open manner, and endeavour to provide accurate information in order to allow patients to make their own decision about CAM.
KW - Alternative medicine
KW - Colorectal cancer
KW - Complementary medicine
KW - Complementary therapies
KW - Europe
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=29744454545&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.ctim.2005.07.002
DO - 10.1016/j.ctim.2005.07.002
M3 - Article
C2 - 16338195
AN - SCOPUS:29744454545
SN - 0965-2299
VL - 13
SP - 251
EP - 257
JO - Complementary Therapies in Medicine
JF - Complementary Therapies in Medicine
IS - 4
ER -
