The use of complementary and alternative therapies by patients with cancer

Girgis, A; Adams, J; Sibbritt, D

The use of complementary and alternative therapies by patients with cancer

Girgis, A Adams, J

Sibbritt, D

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Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Oncology Research, 2005, 15 (5), pp. 281 - 289
Issue Date:: 2005-01-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Girgis, A	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Adams, J https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9901-5717	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Sibbritt, D https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3561-9447	en_US
dc.date.issued	2005-01-01	en_US
dc.identifier.citation	Oncology Research, 2005, 15 (5), pp. 281 - 289	en_US
dc.identifier.issn	0965-0407	en_US
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/17050
dc.description.abstract	The aim of this research was to assess the prevalence and predictors of complementary and alternative therapy (CAT) use among cancer patients in Australia. A total of 1492 cancer patients attending nine major public cancer treatment centers in New South Wales, Australia, were asked to complete the Supportive Care Needs Survey. Of the 1354 consenting patients, 888 (65%) returned a completed survey. This article reports the secondary analyses of the survey data, specifically focusing on CAT use. For all cancers, 17.1% of patients were using at least one CAT. The two main demographic characteristics of CAT users were gender and age, where females were more likely to use CAT than males and that CAT use declined as age increased. Time since diagnosis was identified as the only significant clinical predictor of CAT use, where CAT use increased with time until 5 years since diagnosis. Our research shows that herbal treatments and naturopathy are the most popular CAT used by cancer patients (constituting over 30% of all CAT use recorded). The use of CAT among cancer patients is a significant issue in cancer care, especially considering the potential interactions between CAT and conventional medicines. Given that many cancer patients may not be aware of potential risks associated with these interactions it is important that oncologists and others involved in cancer patient care are informed about CAT and its use amongst their patients. Copyright © 2005 Cognizant Comm. Corp.	en_US
dc.relation.ispartof	Oncology Research	en_US
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.3727/096504005776404580	en_US
dc.subject.classification	Oncology & Carcinogenesis	en_US
dc.subject.classification	Medicinal & Biomolecular Chemistry	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Humans	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Neoplasms	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Complementary Therapies	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Adolescent	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Adult	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Aged	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Aged, 80 and over	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Australia	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Female	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Male	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Middle Aged	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Surveys and Questionnaires	en_US
dc.title	The use of complementary and alternative therapies by patients with cancer	en_US
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	5	en_US
utslib.citation.volume	15	en_US
utslib.for	1112 Oncology and Carcinogenesis	en_US
dc.location.activity	ISI:000231857900005	en_US
pubs.embargo.period	Not known	en_US
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - CHSP - Health Services and Practice
utslib.copyright.status	closed_access
pubs.issue	5	en_US
pubs.publication-status	Published	en_US
pubs.volume	15	en_US

Abstract:

The aim of this research was to assess the prevalence and predictors of complementary and alternative therapy (CAT) use among cancer patients in Australia. A total of 1492 cancer patients attending nine major public cancer treatment centers in New South Wales, Australia, were asked to complete the Supportive Care Needs Survey. Of the 1354 consenting patients, 888 (65%) returned a completed survey. This article reports the secondary analyses of the survey data, specifically focusing on CAT use. For all cancers, 17.1% of patients were using at least one CAT. The two main demographic characteristics of CAT users were gender and age, where females were more likely to use CAT than males and that CAT use declined as age increased. Time since diagnosis was identified as the only significant clinical predictor of CAT use, where CAT use increased with time until 5 years since diagnosis. Our research shows that herbal treatments and naturopathy are the most popular CAT used by cancer patients (constituting over 30% of all CAT use recorded). The use of CAT among cancer patients is a significant issue in cancer care, especially considering the potential interactions between CAT and conventional medicines. Given that many cancer patients may not be aware of potential risks associated with these interactions it is important that oncologists and others involved in cancer patient care are informed about CAT and its use amongst their patients. Copyright © 2005 Cognizant Comm. Corp.

Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:

http://hdl.handle.net/10453/17050