Complementary and alternative medicines used by cancer patients to cope with chemotherapy-induced constipation

Abstract

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to evaluate complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) used by cancer patients to cope with chemotherapy-induced constipation, and attitudes of the patients toward CAM. MethodsThis descriptive study was conducted in an adult oncology unit of a university hospital with 214 cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. Data were collected with the Patient Identification Form and Holistic Complementary and Alternative Medicine Questionnaire (HCAMQ). ResultsOf the participants, 21.5% had information about CAM, the main source of information was the internet and social media (54.8%), and 31.8% used CAM in coping with chemotherapy-induced constipation. The most common method was phytotherapy (97.1%). The most commonly used herb was apricot (39.4%); the HCAMQ mean score was 34.3 (±4.6). ConclusionCancer patients frequently use CAM to cope with chemotherapy-induced constipation and the most common CAM used by patients is phytotherapy.