Background: A growing interest in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is observed in treatment of patients with cancer. The use of CAM often leads to delay or resignation from anticancer treatment.
Aim: Estimation of the extent of application of CAM methods among children and adolescents treated for cancer, as well as analysis of factors contributing to this decision.
Material and methods: A survey based on a questionnaire was performed among 100 patients treated for cancer, including 47 girls and 53 boys, aged 5 months to 25 years (median 9.4 years). The questionnaire was filled-in by patients aged over 16, or by parents.
Results: It was found that at least 43% children with cancer were treated with at least one CAM method. The most often used methods were: spiritualism, herbal medicine, bioenergotherapy or diet (46.5%, 42%, 37% and 28% of CAM users, respectively). Odds ratio of the use of CAM methods was 23-fold higher (p<0.0001) in families with earlier own experience. The use of CAM was independent of place of residence, parents' education, social status or the number of children. Although the phase of therapy had no impact, there was a trend towards less frequent use of CAM during maintenance therapy. The most frequent source of information on CAM methods for parents were friends (69%) and mass-media. Most of CAM user parents believed in its effectiveness.
Conclusions: The use of CAM methods by families of children with cancer is common. The most popular methods of CAM are herbal medicine and preparations. There is a need for research on safety and an educational programme for patients on the problems of inefficacy of CAM methods.