title: Complementary and alternative medicine in radiation oncology : Survey of patients' attitudes.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) are gaining in importance, but objective data are mostly missing. However, in previous trials, methods such as acupuncture showed significant advantages compared to standard therapies. Thus, the aim was to evaluate most frequently used methods, their significance and the general acceptance amongst cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy (RT).
  
  
  METHODS
  A questionnaire of 18 questions based on the categorical classification released by the National Centre for Complementary and Integrative Health was developed. From April to September 2015, all patients undergoing RT at the Department of Radiation Oncology, Technical University of Munich, completed the survey. Changes in attitude towards CAM were evaluated using the questionnaire after RT during the first follow-up visit (n = 31).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 634 patients, 333 answered the questionnaire (52.5%). Of all participants, 26.4% used CAM parallel to RT. Before RT, a total of 39.3% had already used complementary medicine. The most frequently applied methods during therapy were vitamins/minerals, food supplements, physiotherapy/manual medicine, and homeopathy. The majority (71.5%) did not use any complementary treatment, mostly stating that CAM was not offered to them (73.5%). The most common reasons for use were to improve the immune system (48%), to reduce side effects (43.8%), and to not miss an opportunity (37.8%). Treatment integrated into the individual therapy concept, e.g. regular acupuncture, would be used by 63.7% of RT patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In comparison to other studies, usage of CAM parallel to RT in our department is considered to be low. Acceptance amongst patients is present, as treatment integrated into the individual oncology therapy would be used by about two-third of patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, Technische Universität München (TUM), Ismaninger Straße 22, 81675, München, Germany.
authors.forename: Sabrina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lettner
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, Technische Universität München (TUM), Ismaninger Straße 22, 81675, München, Germany. Kerstin.Kessel@tum.de.|Institute of Innovative Radiotherapy (iRT), Helmholtz Zentrum München, Ingolstädter Landstraße 1, Neuherberg, Germany. Kerstin.Kessel@tum.de.
authors.forename: Kerstin A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Kessel
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, Technische Universität München (TUM), Ismaninger Straße 22, 81675, München, Germany.|Institute of Innovative Radiotherapy (iRT), Helmholtz Zentrum München, Ingolstädter Landstraße 1, Neuherberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Stephanie E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Combs
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001294:Attitude to Health; D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D057220:Health Literacy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010361:Patients / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015995:Prevalence; D018787:Radiation Oncology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017678:Sex Distribution; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014600:Utilization Review
keywords: Cancer; Holistic medicine; Immune system; Radiotherapy; Side effects