Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) as Part of the Oncological Treatment: Survey about Patients' Attitude towards CAM in a University-Based Oncology Center in Germany.
BACKGROUND
To understand if and which patients would be open-minded to Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) use parallel to their oncological treatment. Moreover, we sought to determine which methods are most accepted and which are the primary motivators to use CAM.


METHODS
We developed and anonymously conducted a questionnaire for patients in the oncology center (TU Munich). Questions focus on different CAM methods, previous experiences, and willingness to apply or use CAM when offered in a university-based setting.


RESULTS
A total of 171 of 376 patients (37.4% women, 62.0% men, 0.6% unknown) participated. This corresponds to a return rate of 45%. Median age was 64 years (17-87 years). Of all participants, 15.2% used CAM during their oncological therapy; 32.7% have used it in the past. The majority (81.9%) was not using CAM during therapy; 55.5% have not used CAM in the past respectively. The analysis revealed a significant correlation between education and CAM use during therapy (r = 0.18; p = 0.02), and CAM use in the past (r = 0.17; p = 0.04). Of all patients using CAM during therapy, favored methods were food supplements (42.3%), vitamins/minerals (42.3%), massage (34.6%). Motivations are especially the reduction of side effect and stress, the positive effect of certain CAM-treatments on the immune system and tumor therapy. Results showed no difference between women and men. Most patients not having had any experience with CAM complain about the deficiency of information by their treating oncologist (31.4%) as well as missing treatment possibilities (54.3%).


CONCLUSIONS
Since many patients believe in study results demonstrating the efficacy of CAM, it stresses our task to develop innovative study protocols to investigate the outcomes of certain CAM on symptom reduction or other endpoints. Thus, prospective trials and innovative evidence-based treatment concepts to include CAM into high-end oncology is what patients demand and what a modern oncology center should offer.
Department of Radiation Oncology, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Ismaninger Straße 22, Munich, Germany.|Institute for Innovative Radiotherapy (iRT), Helmholtz Zentrum München, Ingolstädter Landstraße 1, Neuherberg, Germany.
Kerstin A
KA
Kessel
Department of Radiation Oncology, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Ismaninger Straße 22, Munich, Germany.
Sabrina
S
Lettner
Department of Radiation Oncology, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Ismaninger Straße 22, Munich, Germany.|Onkologisches Zentrum im RHCCC am Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Ismaninger Straße 22, Munich, Germany.
Carmen
C
Kessel
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Ismaninger Straße 22, Munich, Germany.
Henning
H
Bier
Department of Dermatology and Allergy Biederstein, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Biedersteiner Straße 29, Munich, Germany.
Tilo
T
Biedermann
Department of Surgery, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Ismaninger Straße 22, Munich, Germany.
Helmut
H
Friess
Roman-Herzog-Krebszentrum Comprehensive Cancer Center (RHCCC), Technical University of Munich (TUM), Trogerstraße 26, Munich, Germany.
Peter
P
Herrschbach
Department of Urology, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Ismaninger Straße 22, Munich, Germany.
Jürgen E
JE
Gschwend
Department of Neurosurgery, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Ismaninger Straße 22, Munich, Germany.
Bernhard
B
Meyer
3rd Department of Internal Medicine, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Ismaninger Straße 22, Munich, Germany.
Christian
C
Peschel
2nd Department of Internal Medicine, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Ismaninger Straße 22, Munich, Germany.
Roland
R
Schmid
Department of Nuclear Medicine, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Ismaninger Straße 22, Munich, Germany.
Markus
M
Schwaiger
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Ismaninger Straße 22, Munich, Germany.
Klaus-Dietrich
KD
Wolff
Department of Radiation Oncology, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Ismaninger Straße 22, Munich, Germany.|Institute for Innovative Radiotherapy (iRT), Helmholtz Zentrum München, Ingolstädter Landstraße 1, Neuherberg, Germany.|Onkologisches Zentrum im RHCCC am Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Ismaninger Straße 22, Munich, Germany.
Stephanie E
SE
Combs
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001294:Attitude to Health; D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000379:methods*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007388:Internal Medicine / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008405:Massage / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D016522:Oncology Service, Hospital; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014815:Vitamins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D055815:Young Adult
D014815:Vitamins