Skip to main content

Survey on the worldwide Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Advocates Network regarding complementary and alternative medicine

Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology volume 139, pages 1025–1031 (2013)Cite this article

Abstract

Purpose

Many cancer patients use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). However, data in hematological cancers are lacking on which types of CAM are being used, what information sources on CAM patients use and to what extent CAM is being addressed in the consultation with the hematologist.

Methods

We developed a standardized questionnaire on CAM which was provided online to the representatives of the worldwide Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Advocates Network.

Results

A total of 53 leaders of patients’ advocacy groups for chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients from 35 countries responded to the survey. In almost all countries, CAM is important for CML patients and is widely used in addition to conventional leukemia treatment. Mostly, patients have to pay by themselves. General practitioners, herbalists, healers and naturopaths are the main sources for CAM treatments. Information on CAM is derived most frequently from the Internet, and family and friends, but rarely provided by the oncologist. Disclosure of CAM use to the oncologist is low, but increases if oncologists offer CAM.

Conclusions

In spite of very different health care systems, the features of CAM usage are similar in the different countries. We suggest extending the cooperation of self-help and scientists in order to provide training of oncologists on CAM and quality-controlled, evidence-based information on CAM on the Internet both for patients as well as health professionals as a promising strategy to increase safe use of CAM in patients with CML.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Access options

Buy single article

Instant access to the full article PDF.

USD 39.95

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

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6

References

  • American Cancer Society (2013) http://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatmentsandsideeffects/complementaryandalternativemedicine/guidelines-for-using-complementary-and-alternative-methods; Assessed 26.02.2013

  • Broom A, Tovey P (2008) The role of the Internet in cancer patients’ engagement with complementary and alternative treatments. Health (London) 12(2):139–155

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cassileth BR (2012) Alternative therapies: learning from patients who choose them. Oncologist 17(5):590–591

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dy GK, Bekele L, Hanson LJ, Furth A, Mandrekar S, Sloan JA et al (2000) Complementary and alternative medicine use by patients enrolled onto phase I clinical trials. J Clin Oncol 22(23):4810–4815

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Eng J, Ramsum D, Verhoef M, Guns E, Davison J, Gallagher R (2003) A population-based survey of complementary and alternative medicine use in men recently diagnosed with prostate cancer. Integr Cancer Ther 2:212–216

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Eschiti VS (2007) 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. Integr Cancer Ther 6(4):313–344

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Eysenbach G (2003) The impact of the Internet on cancer outcomes. CA Cancer J Clin 53(6):356–371

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hann D, Allen S, Ciambrone D, Shah A (2006) Use of complementary therapies during chemotherapy: influence of patients‘satisfaction with treatment decision making and the treating oncologist. Integr Cancer Ther 5(3):224–231

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Heaney ML (2008) Vitamin C antagonizes the cytotoxic effects of antineoplastic drugs. Cancer Res 68(19):8031–8038

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hlubocky FJ, Ratain MJ, Wen M, Daugherty CK (2007) Complementary and alternative medicine among advanced cancer patients enrolled on phase I trials: a study of prognosis, quality of life and preferences for decision making. J Clin Oncol 25:548–554

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Horneber M, Bueschel G, Dennert G, Less D, Ritter E, Zwahlen M (2011) How many cancer patients use complementary and alternative medicine: a systematic review and metaanalysis. Integr Cancer Ther. PMID: 22019489

  • Kakai H, Maskarinec G, Shumay DM, Tatsumura Y, Tasaki K (2003) Ethnic differences in choices of health information by cancer patients using complementary and alternative medicine: an exploratory study with correspondence analysis.”. Soc Sci Med 56(4):851–862

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Maddock C, Lewis I, Ahmad K, Sullivan R (2011) Online information needs of cancer patients and their organizations. Ecancer 5:235. doi:10.3332/ecancer.2011.235

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Maskarinec G, Shumay DM, Kakai H, Gotay CC (2000) Ethnic differences in complementary and alternative medicine use among cancer patients. J Altern Complement Med 6(6):531–538

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Matthews SC, Camacho A, Mills PJ, Dimsdale JE (2003) The internet for medical information about cancer: help or hindrance? Psychosomatics 44(2):100–103

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

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

    Google Scholar 

  • Micke O, Buntzel J, Kisters K, Schafer U, Micke P, Mucke R (2010) Complementary and alternative medicine in lung cancer patients: a neglected phenomenon? Front Radiat Ther Oncol 42:198–205

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Miller PE, Vasey JJ, Short PF, Hartman TJ (2009) Dietary supplement use in adult cancer survivors. Oncol Nurs Forum 36:61–68

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Molassiotis A, Fernadez-Ortega P, Pud D, Ozden G, Scott JA, Panteli V et al (2005a) Use of complementary and alternative medicine in cancer patients: a European survey. Ann Oncol 16:655–663

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Molassiotis A, Margulies A, Fernandez-Ortega P, Pud D, Panteli V, Bruyns I (2005b) Complementary and alternative medicine use in patients with haematological malignancies in Europe. Complement Ther Clin Pract 11(2):105–110

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Naing A, Stephen SK, Frenkel M, Chandhasin C, Hong DS, Lei X et al (2011) Prevalence of complementary medicine use in a phase 1 clinical trials program: the MD anderson cancer center experience. Cancer 117(22):5142–5150

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • NCCAM (2013) http://nccam.nih.gov/about; Assessed 26.02.2013

  • Puissant A (2008) Imatinib mesylate-resistant human chronic myelogenous leukemia cell lines exhibit high sensitivity to the phytoalexin resveratrol. FASEB J 22(6):1894–1904

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rausch SM, Winegardner F, Kruk KM, Phatak V, Wahner-Roedler DL, Bauer B, Vincent A (2011) Complementary and alternative medicine: use and disclosure in radiation oncology community practice. Support Care Cancer 19(4):521–529

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Robinson A, McGrail MR (2004) Disclosure of CAM use to medical practitioners: a review of qualitative and quantitative studies. Complement Ther Med 12(2-3):90–98

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Saxe GA, Madlensky L, Kealey S, Wu DP, Freeman KL, Pierce JP (2008) Disclosure to physicians of CAM use by breast cancer patients: findings from the women‘s healthy eating and living study. Integr Cancer Ther 7(3):122–127

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Shatzer AN, Espey MG, Chavez M, Tu H, Levine M, Cohen JI (2012) Ascorbic acid kills epstein-barr virus positive burkitt lymphoma cells and epstein-barr virus transformed B-cells in vitro, but not in vivo. Leuk Lymphoma. (Epub ahead of print)

  • Verhoef MJ, Trojan L, Armitage GD, Carlson L, Hilsden RJ (2009) Complementary therapies for cancer patients: assessing information use and needs. Chronic Dis Can 29:80–88

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zeller T, Muenstedt K, Stoll C, Schweder J, Senf B, Ruckhaeberle E et al (2012) Potential interactions of complementary and alternative medicine with cancer therapy in outpatients with gynecological cancer in a comprehensive cancer center 139:357–365. doi:10.1007/s00432-012-1336-6

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

We want to express our thanks to all patient advocates worldwide who supported this study.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. German Cancer Society, Berlin, Germany

    Jutta Huebner

  2. J.W. Goethe University, Theodor-Stern- Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt/Main, Germany

    Thomas Elsner

  3. Department of Radiotherapy, Lippe Hospital, Rintelner Straße 85, 32657, Lemgo, Germany

    Ralph Muecke

  4. Department of Radiooncology, Franziskus Hospital Bielefeld, Kiskerstraße 26, 33615, Bielefeld, Germany

    Oliver Micke

  5. RNS Gemeinschaftspraxis, Wiesbaden, Beethovenstraße 20, 65189, Wiesbaden, Germany

    Franz J. Prott

  6. Department for Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Gießen, Klinikstrasse 32, 35392, Gießen, Germany

    Karsten Muenstedt

  7. Myeloma Euronet, Rüsselsheim, Germany

    Anita Waldmann

  8. CML Advocates, Munich, Germany

    Jan Geissler

Authors
  1. Thomas Elsner
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Ralph Muecke
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Oliver Micke
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Franz J. Prott
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Karsten Muenstedt
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Anita Waldmann
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Jan Geissler
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Jutta Huebner
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jutta Huebner.

Additional information

This study was conducted on behalf of working group Prevention and Integrative Oncology of the German Cancer Society.

Electronic supplementary material

Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.

Supplementary material 1 (DOCX 41 kb)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Elsner, T., Muecke, R., Micke, O. et al. Survey on the worldwide Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Advocates Network regarding complementary and alternative medicine. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 139, 1025–1031 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00432-013-1414-4

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00432-013-1414-4

Keywords

  • Patient advocacy
  • Complementary and alternative medicine
  • Patient information
  • Chronic myeloid leukemia
  • Risks and benefits