THE USE OF COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE AMONG CANCER PATIENTS UNDERGOING CONVENTIONAL TREATMENT: A SINGLE-CENTRE EXPERIENCE

Background: The alternative medicine is increasingly accepted by modern man. People realize that healing based on natural methods is much more affordable and not more aggressive than taking potent drugs of synthetic origin. The aim of this study was to collect data on the use of complementary agents and alternative medicine in cancer patients treated at the Oncology Clinic of the University Clinical Hospital in Mostar. Subjects and methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study that included 100 patients. Data were collected from a questionnaire compiled for this research, which comprised two groups of questions. The first group examined the sociodemographic characteristics of the respondents, and the second the modalities of using Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM), and health and conceptual reasons for use. Results: A total of 72 patients (72.0%) had used a CAM during their anticancer treatment. Only 23% of patients had used CAM before the diagnosis of cancer. Among them, 26 (36.1%) previously discussed the topic with their oncologist. CAMs ranged from herbal medicine (58.3%), cannabinoid oil (19.4%) and different vitamins and minerals (22.2%). CAMs were mainly used to improve the health (40.3%). Among patients who used CAM only 25% find it financially demanding, 90.3% of patients were satisfied with effects of CAMs, and 78.1% would recommend it to other cancer patients. Conclusion: Our data showed that in our region, many patients used complementary and alternative methods of treatment. These results are very important because they provide information and give a clearer picture of the use of CAM among cancer patients and, accordingly, the right approach of the health practitioners to the patient, leading to optimized cancer therapy and increased safety.