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Research: MOLASSIOTIS and co-authors,
Listed in Issue 129
Abstract
MOLASSIOTIS and co-authors, School of Nursing, University of Manchester, Coupland III, Coupland Street, Manchester M13 9PL, UK, have surveyed the use of CAM therapies by lung cancer patients in Europe.
Background
The aim of this study was to survey the use of CAM therapies by lung cancer patients.
Methodology
This cross-sectional survey formed part of a larger study. Data from 111 lung cancer patients in 8 countries in Europe were collected through a descriptive 27-item questionnaire.
Results
23.6% of the lung cancer patients used CAM after the diagnosis with cancer. The most popular CAM modalities were herbal medicine (48.1%), medicinal teas (11.5%), homeopathy (11.5%), animal extracts (11.5%) and spiritual therapies (11.5%). The use of herbal preparations increased threefold after the cancer diagnosis. Patients seemed quite satisfied with the CAM used. They were spending on average about 142 Euros monthly on CAM therapies or remedies. The most common motivation to use CAM given was ‘to increase the body’s ability to fight the cancer’. The main sources of information about CAM were friends and family.
Conclusion
It is important for health care practitioners to be able to assist patients in making an appropriate decision by discussing the issue of CAM openly, providing reassurance and communicating safety information to patients.
References
Molassiotis A, Panteli V, Patiraki E, Ozden G, Platin N, Madsen E, Browall M, Fernandez-Ortega P, Pud D, Margulies A. Complementary and alternative medicine use in lung cancer patients in eight European countries. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice 12 (1): 34-9, Feb 2006.
