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. 2021 Apr-Jun;12(2):359-364.
doi: 10.1016/j.jaim.2021.04.011. Epub 2021 May 18.

Prevalence of the use of traditional complementary and alternative medicine amongst cancer patients in a tertiary care center in Kerala, India

Kolathu Sarada  1 , Rammanohar Puthiyedath  2 , Arun Philip  1 , Greeshma C Ravindran  3 , Keechilat Pavithran  4
Affiliations

Prevalence of the use of traditional complementary and alternative medicine amongst cancer patients in a tertiary care center in Kerala, India

Kolathu Sarada et al. J Ayurveda Integr Med. 2021 Apr-Jun.

Abstract

Background: Unmet needs of cancer patients prompt them to seek care from Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicine (TCAM) practitioners.

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of TCAM use in a multi-specialty tertiary cancer center in South India.

Materials and methods: A cross-sectional survey of cancer patients who used TCAM during the study period. The patients were recruited based on covenience sampling method.

Result: 320 cancer patients were approached, out of which 279 (87.2%) patients responded, and the prevalence of TCAM use was 34.4%. Home remedies (36%) figure prominently, with family advice (40%) being the primary influence for the TCAM use. The key expectation was an improvement in the quality of life (49%). TCAM use was pronounced during the chemotherapy phase (50%). Most patients (76%) using TCAM reported satisfaction with the treatment. Majority of the patients did not disclose concomitant use of TCAM to their treating physicians (71%).

Conclusion: TCAM use by cancer patients is prevalent in Kerala. The study results point towards a need for large scale surveys, implementation of pharmacovigilance, patient education and research to identify and integrate TCAM interventions in cancer care that are safe and have beneficial effects.

Keywords: Cancer; Drug interactions; Integrative oncology; Pharmacovigilance; Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest None.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Types of cancer in the study population.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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