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Research: HANA and colleagues,
Listed in Issue 125
Abstract
HANA and colleagues, Quality Improvement Unit, Rambam Medical Center, Haifa, Israel, have surveyed the use of CAM therapies by cancer patients in Israel.
Background
The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has increased over the last decade in the western world. The aim of this study was to evaluate the extent and characteristics of CAM use among cancer patients in northern Israel.
Methodology
Telephone interviews were conducted with 2,176 newly registered cancer patients or their family members, at least 1 year following referral.
Results
The overall rate of CAM use was 17%, ranging from 3% to 69%. The most influential factors determining CAM use were academic or high school education, chemotherapy treatment, Israel as country of birth, and age 41-50 years. All patients used CAM in addition to conventional therapies. Less than half of them reported it to their physicians. The most frequently used treatments were various chemical, biological, herbal and homeopathic remedies. Most CAM users reported that they used CAM because they believed it "strengthens the immune system," alleviates side effects of chemotherapy, improves quality of life, and helps to overcome pain and stress; 62% of them reported beneficial effects.
Conclusion
Expanding physicians' knowledge on CAM methods will encourage them to provide additional advice, promote the use of beneficial therapies, and inform patients about potentially harmful methods.
References
Hana G, Bar-Sela G, Zhana D, Mashiach T, Robinson E. The use of complementary and alternative therapies by cancer patients in northern Israel. Israel Medical Association Journal 7(4): 243-247, Apr 2005.
Comment
That many cancer patients use a combination of nutritional, herbal, homeopathic as well as stress relieving therapies should not be surprising. In fact, the majority of these therapies were used to mitigate the painful and draconian side effects of cancer treatment. Very sensible. Also, I dislike the term CAM, which sounds more like an auto component rather than an entire spectrum of therapies.
