Abstract
Purpose
To explore the use of CAM (Complementary/Alternative Medicine) in a population of cancer patients undergoing antineoplastic therapy, and to compare differences in sociodemographics, quality of life, and psychological features between CAM users and non-users.
Methods
The study population was consecutive cancer patients undergoing antineoplastic treatment in three Piedmont cancer centers. Data were collected from anonymous questionnaires investigating CAM use or not, and what type if used, and sociodemographics, and through validated psychometric instruments to assess psychological features: Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and the Mini Mental Adjustment to Cancer Scale.
Results
Of the 288 evaluable patients, 52 (18.1%) reported using one or more types of CAM; the most often cited were herbs, special diets and body-based practices, such as plantar reflexology, chiropractic application, and massage. On quality of life assessment, CAM users scored lower than CAM non-users for physical wellbeing (P = 0.006); no significant differences emerged for anxiety and depression and coping styles.
Conclusions
CAM use is less prevalent in northern Italy than in most other European countries. CAM users were found to have a lower quality of life than CAM non-users.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM). (2010) What is complementary and alternative medicine? Accessed August 30, 2010, from http://nccam.nih.gov/health/whatiscam/.
Italian Study Group for the Di Bella Multitherapy Trials. (1999). Evaluation of an unconventional cancer treatment (the Di Bella multitherapy): results of phase II trials in Italy. BMJ, 318(7178), 224–228.
Wikipedia. Il cancro è un fungo. Accessed August 30, 2010, from http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki.
Traversa, G., Maggini, M., Menniti-Ippolito, F., Bruzzi, P., Chiarotti, F., Greco, D., et al. (1999). The unconventional Di Bella cancer treatment. Cancer, 86(10), 1903–1911.
Ernst, E., & Cassileth, B. R. (1998). The prevalence of complementary/alternative medicine in cancer: a systematic review. Cancer, 83(4), 777–782.
Salmenpera, L. (2000). The use of complementary therapies among breast and prostate cancer patients in Finland. European Journal of Cancer Care, 11(1), 44–50.
Yates, J. S., Mustian, K. M., Morrow, G. R., Gillies, L. J., Padmanaban, D., Atkins, J. N., et al. (2005). Prevalence of complementary and alternative medicine use in cancer patients during treatment. Supportive Care in Cancer, 13(10), 806–811.
Molassiotis, A., Fernadez-Ortega, P., Pud, D., Ozden, G., Scott, J. A., Panteli, V., et al. (2005). Use of complementary and alternative medicine in cancer patients: a European survey. Annals of Oncology, 16(4), 655–663.
Johannessen, H., von Bornemann Hjelmborg, J., Pasquarelli, E., Fiorentini, G., Di Costanzos, F., & Miccinesi, G. (2008). Prevalence in the use of complementary medicine among cancer patients in Tuscany, Italy. Tumori, 94(3), 406–410.
Carver, C. S., Pozo, C., Harris, S. D., Noriega, V., Scheier, M. F., Robinson, D. S., et al. (1993). How coping mediated the effect of optimism on distress: a study of women with early stage breast cancer. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 65(2), 375–390.
Seligman, L. (1996). Promoting a Fighting Spirit: Psychotherapy for cancer patients survivors and their families. California: Jossey-Bass.
Wyatt, G. K., Friedman, L. L., Given, C. W., Given, B. A., & Beckrow, K. C. (1999). Complementary therapy use among older cancer patients. Cancer Practice, 7(3), 136–144.
Davidson, R., Geoghegan, L., McLaughlin, L., & Woodward, R. (2005). Psychological characteristics of cancer patients who use complementary therapies. Psychooncology, 14(3), 187–195.
Cella, D. F., Tulsky, D. S., Gray, G., Sarafian, B., Linn, E., Bonomi, A., et al. (1993). The functional assessment of cancer therapy scale: development and validation of the general measure. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 11(3), 570–579.
Zigmond, A. S., & Snaith, R. P. (1983). The hospital anxiety and depression scale. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, 67(6), 361–370.
Grassi, L., Buda, P., Cavana, L., Annunziata, M. A., Torta, R., & Varetto, A. (2005). Styles of coping with cancer: the Italian version of the mini-mental adjustment to cancer (Mini-MAC) scale. Psychooncology, 14(2), 115–124.
Er, O., Mistik, S., Ozkan, M., Ozturk, A., & Altinbas, M. (2008). Factors related to complementary/alternative medicine use among cancer patients in central Anatolia. Tumori, 94(6), 833–837.
Shih, V., Chiang, J. Y., & Chan, A. (2009). Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) usage in Singaporean adult cancer patients. Annals of Oncology, 20(4), 752–757.
Yang, C., Chien, L. Y., & Tai, C. J. (2008). Use of complementary and alternative medicine among patients with cancer receiving outpatient chemotherapy in Taiwan. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 14(4), 413–416.
Träger-Maury, S., Tournigand, C., Maindrault-Goebel, F., Afchain, P., de Gramont, A., Garcia-Larnicol, M. L., et al. (2007). Use of complementary medicine by cancer patients in a French oncology department. Bull Cancer, 94(11), 1017–1025.
Kristoffersen, A. E., Fønnebø, V., & Norheim, A. J. (2008). Use of complementary and alternative medicine among patients: classification criteria determine levels of use. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 14(8), 911–919.
Rakovitch, E., Pignol, J. P., Chartier, C., Ezer, M., Verma, S., Dranitsaris, G., et al. (2005). Complementary and alternative medicine use is associated with an increased perception of breast cancer risk and death. Breast Cancer Research and Treatment, 90(2), 139–148.
Chow, W. H., Chang, P., Lee, S. C., Wong, A., Shen, H. M., & Verkooijen, H. M. (2010). Complementary and alternative medicine among Singapore cancer patients. Annals of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore, 39(2), 129–135.
Oh, B., Butow, P., Mullan, B., Clarke, S., Tattersall, M., Boyer, M., et al. (2010). Patient-doctor communication: use of complementary and alternative medicine by adult patients with cancer. Journal of the Society for Integrative Oncology, 8(2), 56–64.
Richardson, M. A., Sanders, T., Palmer, J. L., Greisinger, A., & Singletary, S. E. (2000). Complementary/alternative medicine use in a comprehensive cancer center and the implications for oncology. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 18(13), 2505–2514.
McCune, J. S., Hatfield, A. J., Blackburn, A. A., Leith, P. O., Livingston, R. B., & Ellis, G. K. (2004). Potential of chemotherapy-herb interactions in adult cancer patients. Supportive Care in Cancer, 12(6), 454–462.
Lee, A. H., Ingraham, S. E., Kopp, M., Foraida, M. I., & Jazieh, A. R. (2006). The incidence of potential interactions between dietary supplements and prescription medications in cancer patients at a veterans administration hospital. American Journal of Clinical Oncology, 29(2), 178–182.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Saini, A., Berruti, A., Capogna, S. et al. Prevalence of complementary/alternative medicines (CAMs) in a cancer population in northern Italy receiving antineoplastic treatments and relationship with quality of life and psychometric features. Qual Life Res 20, 683–690 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-010-9795-1
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-010-9795-1