Complementary and Alternative Medicine application in cancer patients in Iran

Introduction: Nowadays, complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is used by cancer patients all over the world. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of CAM use in patients with cancer in Iran. Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted on ۳۲۰ cancer patients in Arak. For gathering information, a researcher-made questionnaire was used. This questionnaire was consisted of two parts: demographic and clinical information; and patient’s attitude toward using complementary and alternative medicine treatments and their effectiveness, as well as how much they used different kinds of these treatments. The data was analyzed using SPSS software version ۱۶. Results: Our findings showed that average age of participants was ۵۵.۱۱±۱۵.۵۸. Most of them had leukemia (۲۵.۹%) and underwent chemotherapy (۵۵%), and ۱۴۱ (۴۴.۳%) of individuals were using CAM. Majority of patients (۷۳.۲%) were using CAM to improve physical conditions, ۶۱.۴% were using it simultaneously with conventional medical treatments, and ۲۵% to reduce pain. Participants have reported visiting holy places, yoga, prayer therapy, and using medicinal plants and special diets, respectively. Conclusion: considering the high number of patients using CAM treatments, proper planning and implementation to educate professional members of health team, especially doctors and nurses about CAM treatments is essential. The most important CAM treatments to be educated are spiritual therapies, yoga, medicinal plants and diet therapy. Moreover, support and education about using these kinds of treatment, should be considered in the supportive care program for patients with cancer.

Keywords:

complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) , cancer , oncology , Iran