Complementary/alternative Medicine Use among Cancer Patients in Malaysia

Abstract

5 Abstract: The objective of this study was to determine the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) among cancer patients in Malaysia. A cross-sectional study was carried out among cancer patients at two Malaysian referral hospitals. The questionnaire consisted of 28 items includes patients' socio-demographic characteristics, clinical characteristics and questions about CAM use. A total number of 200 cancer patients participated in this study. The majority were female, Malay, married, with tertiary education and working (54.5%, 36.5%, 53.5%, 46.5%, 45.0%; respectively). The majority were in stage 2 and diagnosed with cancer 1 to 2 years ago (47.5%, 37.5%; respectively). The prevalence of CAM used among the study participants was found to be 14%. The majority of them used the CAM during the treatment (72.7%), used the CAM less than six months (37.0%). The majority of cancer patients reported that CAM is beneficial for them and there is no side effect of CAM and they were satisfied with CAM (65.5%, 92.0%; 80.0%; respectively). Only few patients stopped conventional treatment while using CAM (14.5%). Relieve pain (19.5%) and relieve the symptoms (16.5%) were the reasons for CAM used. The most popular CAM used among cancer patients was sea cucumber (22%) and homeopathy (10.5%). The least popular CAM used reported by the study participants was green tea (0.5%). Level of education found to be significantly influence the use of CAM among cancer patients in this study. In light of the growing interest in CAM, health-care professionals need to be educated about the most common CAM therapies used among cancer patients. This study reported a new finding that 16.4% of cancer patients stopped the standard treatment while using CAM. This is a serious problem and should be addressed and further intervention studies needed.