title: The prevalence of usage of herbal medicines among cancer patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study the prevalence of the usage of herbal medicines among cancer patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study was carried out between October 1, 2009 and May 31, 2011, by using face-to-face interviews with cancer patients attending oncology departments (clinics and outpatient clinics, chemotherapy units). A special questionnaire was filled in during the interviews.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the patients 68.2% reported usage of herbal medicines, 66% stated that their usage of herbal medicines was based on the media and the Internet as a source and 64% stated that they received information about herbal medicines from relatives and friends. Only 24% of herbal medicines users had consulted or discussed their use with a physician.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In Turkey, especially among cancer patients, there is a high prevalence of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) usage and the most commonly used form of CAM is herbal medicines. This prevalence has also been found to be high in our research as well. Due to the probable side effects and potential drug interactions of herbal agents, all cancer patients should be asked about their use of herbal medicines.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology, Istanbul Bakirkoy Dr. Sadi Konuk Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tuna
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Dizdar
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Calis
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D041743:Herb-Drug Interactions; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014421:Turkey; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D028321:Plant Preparations