open access

Vol 71, No 5 (2021)
Research paper (original)
Published online: 2021-09-01
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Use of complementary and alternative medicine among Polish cancer patients

Mirosława Puskulluoglu1, Barbara Uchańska2, Krzysztof A. Tomaszewski34, Aneta L. Zygulska5, Paulina Zielińska1, Aleksandra Grela-Wojewoda1
·
Nowotwory. Journal of Oncology 2021;71(5):274-281.
Affiliations
  1. Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, Krakow Branch, Krakow, Poland
  2. Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, University Hospital in Krakow, Krakow, Poland
  3. Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Andrzej Frycz Modrzewski Krakow University, Krakow, Poland
  4. Scanmed St. Raphael Hospital, Krakow, Poland
  5. Department of Clinical Oncology, University Hospital, Krakow, Poland

open access

Vol 71, No 5 (2021)
Original article
Published online: 2021-09-01

Abstract

Introduction. The aim of this prospective study was to estimate the perception and popularity of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) subtypes and the reasons for usage among adult Polish cancer patients.

Material and methods. The validated questionnaire was conducted among 310 patients. 24.1% of the patients used CAM during their oncological treatment. Risk factors for CAM usage were: female gender, university degree and radical treatment. The most common reasons for CAM usage were: boosting the immune system (46.1%), improving well-being/ counteracting the ill effects of cancer and its treatment (40.8%). The average level of satisfaction with CAM was high (≥3/5 on a Likert scale). Nearly half of the patients (46.6%) admitted not informing their doctors about their CAM usage.

Conclusions. The growing popularity and heterogeneity of CAM methods make it an important issue for patient–doctor relations in Poland and other Central European countries. The results of this study indicate what topics should be covered while introducing patient education programs.

Abstract

Introduction. The aim of this prospective study was to estimate the perception and popularity of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) subtypes and the reasons for usage among adult Polish cancer patients.

Material and methods. The validated questionnaire was conducted among 310 patients. 24.1% of the patients used CAM during their oncological treatment. Risk factors for CAM usage were: female gender, university degree and radical treatment. The most common reasons for CAM usage were: boosting the immune system (46.1%), improving well-being/ counteracting the ill effects of cancer and its treatment (40.8%). The average level of satisfaction with CAM was high (≥3/5 on a Likert scale). Nearly half of the patients (46.6%) admitted not informing their doctors about their CAM usage.

Conclusions. The growing popularity and heterogeneity of CAM methods make it an important issue for patient–doctor relations in Poland and other Central European countries. The results of this study indicate what topics should be covered while introducing patient education programs.

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Keywords

cancer; complementary and alternative medicine; CAM; questionnaire; patients

About this article
Title

Use of complementary and alternative medicine among Polish cancer patients

Journal

Nowotwory. Journal of Oncology

Issue

Vol 71, No 5 (2021)

Article type

Research paper (original)

Pages

274-281

Published online

2021-09-01

Page views

6471

Article views/downloads

534

DOI

10.5603/NJO.a2021.0051

Bibliographic record

Nowotwory. Journal of Oncology 2021;71(5):274-281.

Keywords

cancer
complementary and alternative medicine
CAM
questionnaire
patients

Authors

Mirosława Puskulluoglu
Barbara Uchańska
Krzysztof A. Tomaszewski
Aneta L. Zygulska
Paulina Zielińska
Aleksandra Grela-Wojewoda

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