Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use among cancer patients in community oncology settings.

Abstract

e19544 Background: Previous surveys of CAM use in oncology have primarily been conducted at comprehensive cancer centers and other major medical centers. The prevalence and attitudes towards CAM in community oncology settings is unknown. Methods: We are conducting an educational intervention within the M. D. Anderson CCOP network to encourage oncology nurses to discuss CAM use with their patients. Here we provide baseline data on the frequency of and reasons for CAM use and how often CAM was discussed with oncology health care practitioners. Participants included 566 cancer patients from 36 CCOP component sites. Questionnaires were completed immediately following the patient's oncology visit. Results: Patients were 65% female, 86% non-Hispanic white, average age of 59 (range 23-88), and 30% had a college degree or higher. The most common cancers were breast cancer (31%), lung cancer (12%), and colorectal cancer (10%). Time since initial cancer diagnosis was 1.96 years and 28% had a cancer recurrence. Thirty-nine percent indicated that they have used one or more CAM therapies following their cancer diagnosis. Reasons for using CAM included: believes CAM beneficial (27%), to address the emotional and spiritual aspects of the disease (23%), and to boost immune system (21%). The most common categories of CAM used by patients were massage therapy (19%), relaxation techniques (19%), special diet (18%) and megavitamins (15%). Patients indicated that 9% of their physicians and 12% of nurses had asked them about their use of CAM at that oncology visit. Twenty-one percent of patients reported that they initiated a discussion with their providers about their use of CAM and the most common responses were: encouraged me to continue (13%) and was neutral (7%). Reasons for not telling health care practitioners about CAM use included: my health care provider never asked (27%) and unsure if CAM beneficial (18%). Conclusions: More than one-third of patients indicated that they used some type of CAM therapy and the majority of their providers did not ask them about their CAM use. There remains considerable uncertainty among patients about the role of CAM in the context of cancer care. No significant financial relationships to disclose.