Survey of the use of complementary and alternative medicine among Turkish cancer patients.
OBJECTIVE
To measure the frequency of use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) among patients with malignancy undergoing or following conventional treatment, to determine demographic characteristics associated with the use of CAM, and to find out how benefits, if any, were perceived by patients.


METHODS
A 35-item survey questionnaire administered to 305 return patients with malignancy.


METHODS
Clinical wards of the Oncology and Haematology departments of Gülhane Military Medical Academy, Ankara, Turkey.


METHODS
Questionnaire-based measures of demographics, motives, expectations and effects of using CAM, and types and reported perceived benefits of CAM practised on patients with malignancy.


RESULTS
The majority of return patients (n = 186, 61.0%) used at least one CAM practice; and birthplace, educational status, and family type were significant factors in such behaviour.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with malignancy born in villages, having less education and living in large families were more likely to use folk medicine. More than half of those using CAM (n = 99, 53.2%) reported as benefits the feelings of either strengthening of the body, being in good psychological condition, or the disappearance of several symptoms.
Ceylan
S
S
Department of Public Health, Gülhane Military Medical Academy, Ankara, Turkey. sceylan_2000@yahoo.com
Hamzaoğlu
O
O
Kömürcü
S
S
Beyan
C
C
Yalçin
A
A
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011336:Probability; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014421:Turkey