Potentially Dangerous Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) Use by Ovarian Cancer Patients | Abstract

Potentially Dangerous Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) Use by Ovarian Cancer Patients

Abstract

Objective: 

The use of complementary or alternative medicine (CAM) has increased greatly over the last decade. Although many CAM activities are unlikely to increase a patient's risk for adverse events with conventional treatment for cancer, this is not necessarily true of ingestible CAM treatments such as herbal remedies, teas, and other supplements. This study surveyed women with ovarian cancer in order to evaluate the use of herbs and supplements that might place them at increased risk at the time of their surgery for ovarian cancer.  

Methods: 

A total of 219 women with ovarian cancer, who had received care from one of two participating oncology practices, were surveyed. 

Results: 

Of the women who reported having had surgery to treat their ovarian cancer (n=209), 65 (31%) reporting using one or more herbs or supplements that have been hypothesized to increase their risk for adverse outcomes. In almost all cases the risks associated with these substances were elevated risks for excessive bleeding.  

Conclusions: 

The use of herbs and supplements that might increase risks associated with excessive bleeding during gynecologic cancer surgery is common. Further research is needed to better understand the risks associated with use of herbs and supplements among women approaching surgery

. (J GYNECOL SURG 28:1)

open access: BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine | Abstract | Consumers' experiences and values in conventional and alternative medicine paradigms: a problem detection study (PDS)

BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine | Abstract | Consumers' experiences and values in conventional and alternative medicine paradigms: a problem detection study (PDS)

"Of 300 questionnaires distributed (Brisbane, Australia), 83 consumers responded."

"A 28% response (83 of 300 questionnaires distributed) was obtained for the consumer participants. More females (58) than males (25) responded. The majority of the consumers were middle-aged (47% aged 35–54 years, n = 47; 21 consumers were 34 or under and 15
were older than 55)."  (Blogger's Note: null search results for 'cancer')

Conclusions

This PDS (problem detection study)  has emphasized the perceived importance of open communication between consumers, CAM and conventional providers, and has exposed areas where CAM consumers perceive that issues exist across the CAM and conventional medicine paradigms. There is a lot of information which is perceived as not being shared at present and there are issues of discomfort and distrust which require resolution to develop concordant relationships in healthcare. Further research should be based on optimisation of information sharing, spanning both conventional and CAM fields of healthcare, due to both the relevance of concordance principles within CAM modalities and the widespread use of CAM by consumers.

Complementary and alternative medicine — Mayo Clinic?