Use of herbs or vitamin/mineral supplements by patients with cancer in Kayseri, Turkey.
This cross-sectional study was performed to determine the consumption rate, duration, and methods of herb or vitamin/mineral use by patients with cancer and to evaluate the effects of alternative therapies in Kayseri, Turkey. A face-to-face interviews was conducted with 203 patients. Results showed that 32% and 18.2% of the patients used herbs or vitamin/mineral supplements, respectively. Nettle was the most commonly used herb, and iron and vitamin C were the most commonly used supplements. There was a significant difference between herb or vitamin/mineral users and nonusers with regard to educational levels. In conclusion, patients with cancer highly tended to use herb or vitamin/mineral supplements.
Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, University of Erciyes, Kayseri, Turkey. inanc@erciyes.edu.tr
Neriman
N
Inanç
Habibe
H
Sahin
Betül
B
Ciçek
Sultan
S
Taşc
D015992:Body Mass Index; D002173:Cancer Care Facilities; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006786:Hospitals, Urban; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008903:Minerals / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D018673:Nutrition Policy; D009751:Nutritional Requirements; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014421:Turkey; D014815:Vitamins / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D008903:Minerals; D014815:Vitamins