[Tumor patients and alternative medicine. Attempt at characterizing users of alternative treatment methods in oncology]

Abstract

161 oncological outpatients at Basel University hospital were anonymously questioned as to their motives for undergoing treatment methods which had not been proven efficacious. 71 patients stated that they were using unconventional remedies, principally diet and anthroposophical treatment. "Building up resistance" (87%) and "supplementary treatment" (69%) were the main reasons given. A lack of confidence in conventional medicine (6%) or failure of previous therapy (4%) was less important. In attempting to characterize users and non-users of unorthodox medical treatments in this group of patients significant differences were revealed in the patients' political and religious convictions, as well as their health consciousness. Users more often described themselves as "left-wing" or "ecologically-orientated", and more frequently experienced a strengthening of their religious faith through their illness. No differences could be determined as to age, sex, family status or attitude toward disease.