Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
021
Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use by Gynecologic Oncology Patients in Turkey
RESEARCH COMMUNICATION
Chemotherapy
Remission
istence or recurrence
None
Chemotherapy
Remission
Persistence or recurrence
Newly diagnosed without treatment
Chemotherapy
Remission
Persistence or recurrence
Newly diagnosed without treatment
Richardson et al., Boon et al. (89%, 67%, respectively), to treating cancer was reported significantly more often
but comparable to the prevalence reported by Von by patients. The data suggest that patients may want to
Gruenigen et al (60%). The generally high and possibly maintain optimism and hope when faced with cancer, and
growing prevalence of CAM use by patients with cancer this may be one of the key motivators for patients to use
renders this topic an important candidate for rigorous CAM ( Ritvo et al., 1999).
investigation. The most frequent sources of information about CAM
The literature suggests that there may be a typical (friends and family members) are similar to those reported
profile of CAM user, with younger age, higher educational by Shen et al. (2002) and Swısher et al. (2002). Only about
level, and higher economic status commonly reported 2.4% of patients received CAM information from their
(Richardson et al, 2000; Von Gruenıgen et al, 2001; physicians and/or nurses. It is probable that patients do
Henderson and Donatelle 2004; Gözüm et al, 2007). not reveal CAM use to conventional health professionals
However, in the present study, this was not confirmed because of fear of negative feedback. These findings also
as our sample of CAM users did not differ significantly indicate that patients rely on informal and uncontrolled
from the group of nonusers. This suggests that a typical information and personal testimonials. The quality of this
profile of CAM user may not exist, as many patients information may be very low. However, good-quality
with cancer will do everything to have a better chance information sources are available to the clinician (Kiefer et
with their illness, irrespective of their sociodemographic al, 2001). Good communication skills and open discussion
characteristics. about CAM issues with the patients is the key to protecting
The CAM used by patients was mostly herbal therapy. them from inappropriate and unhelpful use of CAM but
This finding was consistent with other studies conducted also to assist them to reach the most appropriate decision
24 Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention, Vol 13, 2012
DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7314/APJCP.2012.13.1.021
Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use by Gynecologic Oncology Patients in Turkey
for them about CAM. Molassiotis A, Scott JA, Kearney N, et al (2006). Complementary
At the current study, a significant number of patients and alternative medicine use in breast cancer patients in
with gynecologic cancers prefer CAM techniques as an Europe. Support Care Cancer, 14, 260-267.
additional therapy to modern cancer therapy. Most women National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine
(NCCAM) (2011) What is CAM?. Available at: http://www.
with gynecologic cancer commonly used CAM therapy
nccam.nih.gov (accessed 1 February 2011).
among them is herbal medicine. It was determined that Richardson MA, Sanders T, Palmer JL, Singletary SE (2000).
patients with cancer usually received information about Complementary/alternative medicine use in a comprehensive
CAM from not so scientifically reliable sources such as cancer center and the implications for oncology. J Clin Onc,
relatives, friends and the media. Healthcare providers 18, 2505-14.
should routinely ask their patients about CAM use and Ritvo P, Irvine J, Katz J, et al (1999). The patient’s motivation
discuss the positive and negative results of CAM use with in seeking complementary therapies. Patient Educ Couns,
them. Also, because of the high prevalence of the use of 38, 161-5.
CAM therapies among women with cancer, healthcare Shen J, Andersen R, Albert PS, et al (2002). Use of complementary/
alternative therapies by women with advanced-stage breast
providers dealing with cancer treatment should increase
cancer. BMC Complement Altern Med, 13, 2-8.
their knowledge about these therapies. Supoken A, Chaisrisawatsuk T, Chumworathayi B (2009).
Proportion of gynecologic cancer patients using
complementary and alternative medicine. Asian Pac J
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