Complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) are being uses more often with
cancer patients.
OBJECTIVE:
This study aimed to investigate attitudes, use and influencing factors of
CAM among cancer patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.
METHODS:
This descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted on 407 cancer patients
in Turkey. The study was conducted during July-September 2021 using a
Questionnaire that included a Complementary, Alternative and Conventional
Medicine Attitude Scale (CACMAS). Pearson’s Chi-Squared Test, Mann-Whitney
U, Kruskal Wallis, and logistic regression were all utilized.
RESULTS:
The findings revealed that 76.2% of the participants stated that they used
CAM methods while undergoing cancer treatment, and 65.2% of those who did so
kept from sharing this information to medical professionals. Phytotherapy
was the most common CAM method used by patients. The use of CAM was found to
be significantly higher among those who were 55–64 years of age, married,
secondary school graduates, non-smokers, CAM users before their cancer
diagnosis, and who had a family history of cancer (p < 0.05). The participants’ average CACMAS scores were
112.20±16.53. Among those who used CAM during treatment, non-smoking,
overweight-obese participants had higher CACMAS scores (p < 0.05).
CONCLUSION:
Due to the high prevalence of CAM usage among cancer patients and possible
interaction effects with chemotherapy medications, it is important for
healthcare professionals to assess and educate cancer patients regarding CAM
use. Additional research is needed to determine potential interactions, as
well as pros and cons of CAM use during cancer treatment.
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