Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Use of complementary and alternative medicine by patients with cancer: a cross-sectional study at different points of cancer care

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Medical Oncology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is widely used by cancer patients. In order to learn more on the usage of CAM, its reasons and motifs as well as sources of information along the trajectory of treatment, we decided to evaluate the prevalence and predictors for the use of CAM by cancer patients while being under active treatment with chemo- or radiotherapy or in aftercare. We distributed a standardized questionnaire among patients attending a department of radio-oncology, an ambulance for oncology and offices of general practitioners (GPs). Five hundred and six patients took part. Most attributed cancer to stress and trauma (23.7 and 16.4 %) or genes (20.8 %). Forty-four percentage reported knowing a physician with competence in CAM, and in all settings, most patients named the GP. Fifty-one percentage admitted using CAM, 35 % informed the oncologist about using CAM, 56 % informed the GP, and 26 % did not inform any physician. Most often used CAM was vitamin D (17 %) and selenium (16 %). Most important goals were to strengthen the immune system (59 %) and become active (52 %). Most patients were satisfied with the CAM methods they used. Yet, with some methods, dissatisfaction was up to 30 %. The GP has an important function concerning CAM in oncology as most patients believe the GP to have best knowledge in CAM. In order to integrate complementary medicine into evidence-based medicine, physicians should be trained on how to communicate on CAM with the patient and with each other. Explaining cancer and cancer therapies in a way lay persons are able to understand may be helpful. Physicians should actively address patients’ needs of involvement not only in decision making, but also actively in the therapy.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Eardley S, Bishop FL, Prescott P, et al. A systematic literature review of complementary and alternative medicine prevalence in EU. Forsch Komplementärmedizin Res Complement Med. 2012;19(s2):18–28.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Molassiotis A, Fernadez-Ortega P, Pud D, et al. Use of complementary and alternative medicine in cancer patients: a European survey. Ann Oncol. 2005;16:655–63.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Horneber M, Bueschel G, Dennert G, et al. How many cancer patients use complementary and alternative medicine: a systematic review and metaanalysis. Integr Cancer Ther. 2012;11(3):187–203.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Micke O, Bruns F, Glatzel M, et al. Predictive factors for the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in radiation oncology. Eur J Integr Med. 2009;1:22–30.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Huebner J, Micke O, Muecke R, et al. User rate of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) of patients visiting a counseling facility for CAM of a German comprehensive cancer center. Anticancer Res. 2014;34:943–8.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Muenstedt K, Duetemeyer V, Huebner J. Patients’ considerations behind the use of methods from complementary and alternative medicine in the field of obstetrics in Germany. Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2013;288(3):527–30.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Huebner J, Muenstedt K, Prott FJ, et al. Online survey of patients with breast cancer on complementary and alternative medicine. Breast Care. 2014;9(1):60–3.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  8. Ott IM, Muenstedt K, Micke O, et al. Attitude of oncology/haematology nurses from German speaking countries towards complementary and alternative medicine. Trace Elem Electrolyt. 2015;32(2):74–80.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Conrad C, Muenstedt K, Micke O, et al. Survey of members of the German society for palliative medicine regarding their attitudes towards complementary and alternative medicine for cancer patients. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol. 2014;140(7):1229–37.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Trimborn A, Senf B, Muenstedt K, Buentzel J, et al. Attitude of employees of a university clinic to complementary and alternative medicine in oncology. Ann Oncol. 2013;24(10):2641–5.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Eschiti VS. Lesson from comparison of CAM use by women with female-specific cancers to others: it‘s time to focus on interaction risks with CAM therapies. Integrat Cancer Ther. 2007;6(4):313–44.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Buessing A, Cysarz D, Edelhäuser F. Inanspruchnahme unterstützender komplementärmedizinischer Verfahren bei Tumorpatienten in der späteren Phase. Deutsche Zeitschrift für Onkologie. 2007;39:162–8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Richardson MA, Sanders T, Palmer JL, Greisinger A, Singletary SE. Complementary/alternative medicine use in a comprehensive cancer center and the implications for oncology. J Clin Oncol. 2000;18(13):2505–14.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Paul M, Davey B, Senf B, et al. Patients with advanced cancer and their usage of complementary and alternative medicine. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol. 2013;130(9):1515–22.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Zeller T, Muenstedt K, Stoll C, et al. Potential interactions of complementary and alternative medicine with cancer therapy in outpatients with gynecological cancer in a comprehensive cancer center. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol. 2013;139:357–65.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Klafke N, Eliott JA, Wittert GA, Olver IN. Prevalence and predictors of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use by men in Australian cancer outpatient services. Ann Oncol. 2012;23:1571–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Huebner J, Prott FJ, Micke O, Muecke R, Senf B, Dennert G, Muenstedt K. Online survey of cancer patients on complementary and alternative medicine. Oncol Res Treat. 2014;37:304–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Chrystal K, Allan S, Forgeson C, Issacs R. The use of complementary/alternative medicine by cancer patients in a New Zealand regional cancer treatment centre. N Z Med J. 2003;116(1168):U296.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Linke B, Liebl P, Marten D, Stoll C, Jung B, Wuensch P, Huebner J. Information concerning endocrine therapy and adherence of patients with breast and prostate cancer. Clin Oncol (R Coll Radiol). 2015;27(8):482–3.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Vapiwala N, Mick R, Hampshire MK, Metz JM, DeNittis AS. Patient initiation of complementary and alternative medical therapies (CAM) following cancer diagnosis. Cancer J. 2006;12(6):467–74.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Loquai C, Dechent D, Garzarolli M, Kaatz M, Kaehler K, Kurschat P, et al. Risk of interactions between complementary and alternative medicine and medication for comorbidities in patients with melanoma. Med Oncol. 2016;33(5):52. doi:10.1007/s12032-016-0764-6.

  22. Loquai C, Dechent D, Garzarolli M, Kaatz M, Kaehler K, Kurschat P, et al. Interactions from complementary and alternative medicine in patients with melanoma-a survey of 1097 patients. Submitt.

  23. Huebner J, Muenstedt K, Muecke R, Micke O, Stoll C, Kleeberg UR, Buentzel J, Dennert G. Prott FJ counseling cancer patients on complementary and alternative medicine. Strahlenther Onkol. 2013;189(8):613–7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Working Group Integrative Oncology, Dr. Senckenberg Chronomedical Institute, J.W. Goethe University, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt, Germany

    J. Kleine Wortmann & J. Huebner

  2. MVZ Media Vita, Hohenzollernring 72, 48145, Münster, Germany

    A. Bremer

  3. Department of Radiooncology, University Medicine Muenster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, 48149, Münster, Germany

    HT Eich

  4. Gemeinschaftspraxis, Hiltruper Str. 6., 48167, Münster, Germany

    HP Kleine Wortmann

  5. Practice Auf der Geist Münster, Metzer Straße 59, 48151, Münster, Germany

    A. Schuster

  6. Gemeinschaftspraxis, Pommernstrasse 4., 48167, Münster, Germany

    J. Fühner

  7. Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Hospital Nordhausen, Dr.-Robert-Koch-Straße 39, 99734, Nordhausen, Germany

    J. Büntzel

  8. Department of Radiotherapy and Radiation Oncology, Ruhr University, Universitätsstraße 150, 44801, Bochum, Germany

    R. Muecke

  9. Department of Radiooncology, RNS Praxisgemeinschaft GbR, Beethovenstraße 20, 65189, Wiesbaden, Germany

    FJ Prott

Authors
  1. J. Kleine Wortmann
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. A. Bremer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. HT Eich
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. HP Kleine Wortmann
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. A. Schuster
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. J. Fühner
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. J. Büntzel
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. R. Muecke
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  9. FJ Prott
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  10. J. Huebner
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to J. Huebner.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Electronic supplementary material

Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.

Supplementary material 1 (DOCX 33.5 kb)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Wortmann, J.K., Bremer, A., Eich, H. et al. Use of complementary and alternative medicine by patients with cancer: a cross-sectional study at different points of cancer care. Med Oncol 33, 78 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12032-016-0790-4

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12032-016-0790-4

Keywords

Search

Navigation