title: Online survey of cancer patients on complementary and alternative medicine.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is often used by cancer patients, yet, communication with the oncologist is poor. The objective of our study was to gather information on patients' usage of CAM, source of information, and aims, in order to derive strategies to improve the communication between physicians and patients on this topic.
  
  
  METHODS
  An online survey was conducted by linking a standardized questionnaire to the largest internet portal for cancer patients in Germany. The questionnaire addresses CAM usage, disclosure to physicians, source of information, objectives for using CAM, and perceived reasons for cancer.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 170 participants, 77% were currently using CAM. Disclosure to a physician was rather high with 63% having informed their oncologist. Asked whether the oncologist took time to discuss CAM, 74% answered 'no'. Most frequently used are biologically based therapies, relaxation techniques, prayer, and meditation. Most patients want to reduce side effects, boost their immune system, and get active. Almost half the participants had positive experiences with some type of CAM before they fell ill.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Understanding patients' concepts of the etiology of cancer and accepting their goals for using CAM may help oncologists communicate with their patients and guide them to a safe use of CAM.
authors.affiliation: Working Group Integrative Oncology, Dr. Senckenberg Chronomedical Institute, J. W. Goethe University, Frankfurt/M., Germany.
authors.forename: Jutta
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Huebner
authors.forename: Franz J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Prott
authors.forename: Oliver
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Micke
authors.forename: Ralf
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Muecke
authors.forename: Bianca
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Senf
authors.forename: Gabriele
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Dennert
authors.forename: Karsten
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Muenstedt
mesh_terms: D001294:Attitude to Health; D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D009862:Online Systems; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010358:Patient Participation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D057240:Patient Preference / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D015995:Prevalence