Details

Autor(en) / Beteiligte

• Mercadante, Sebastiano
• Bellavia, Giuseppe
• Cascio, Alessio Lo
• Dabbene, Marcella
• di Silvestre, Grazia
• Casuccio, Alessandra

Titel

The use of complementary alternative medicines in advanced cancer patients followed at home

Ist Teil von

• Supportive care in cancer, 2022-03, Vol.30 (3), p.2003-2008

Ort / Verlag

Berlin/Heidelberg: Springer Berlin Heidelberg

Erscheinungsjahr

2022

Quelle

SpringerLink (Online service)

Beschreibungen/Notizen

• Objectives To assess the use of complementary alternative medicines (CAM) in advanced cancer patients followed at home. Methods A consecutive sample of advanced cancer patients admitted to a home palliative care program was invited to participate in the study in a period of two months. Demographic characteristics, religious belief, education level, diagnosis, and socio-economic condition were recorded. Patients were asked about the use of CAM, considered to be a health-related treatment practiced outside the established health services. Information about CAM indications and those who prescribed or suggested CAM were also collected. Results Two hundred and eighty-three advanced cancer patients followed at home were surveyed. Twelve patients (4.2%) were receiving CAM. The indication and type of CAM were variable, as well as the costs. Given the low number of patients taking CAM, no further analysis was performed. Conclusion A limited number of advanced cancer patients followed at home were using CAM. Further multicenter studies with a larger sample should be performed to provide information about such therapies, also including eventual benefits.