title: Unconventional cancer therapy--survey of patients with gynaecological malignancy.
abstract: Although the benefits remain unproven, a considerable number of cancer patients use unconventional therapy, in many cases without the knowledge of the oncologist. At the oncological out-patient department of the women's clinic of the Justus-Liebig-University Giessen we conducted a survey of the various unconventional methods used. 38.8% (80/206) of the patients used unconventional therapies, mainly mistletoe extracts (50%), trace minerals (46%), megavitamins (39%), and enzymes (22%). The perceived etiology of cancer determined the choice for the various methods (p = 0.00074). Users of unconventional methods suffered significantly more from conventional therapy, had less faith in their doctors, and felt more nervous and emotionally unstable after the diagnosis of "cancer".
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Radiotherapy, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Münstedt
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kirsch
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Milch
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sachsse
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Vahrson
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005833:Genital Neoplasms, Female / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010348:Patient Care Team; D012803:Sick Role; D016896:Treatment Outcome