"It's natural so it shouldn't hurt me": Chemotherapy patients' perspectives, experiences, and sources of information of complementary and alternative medicines

Megan Crichton; Katelyn Strike; Elizabeth Isenring; Alexandra L McCarthy; Wolfgang Marx; Anna Lohning; Skye Marshall

doi:10.1016/j.ctcp.2021.101362

"It's natural so it shouldn't hurt me": Chemotherapy patients' perspectives, experiences, and sources of information of complementary and alternative medicines

Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2021 May:43:101362. doi: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2021.101362. Epub 2021 Mar 11.

Authors

Megan Crichton¹, Katelyn Strike², Elizabeth Isenring³, Alexandra L McCarthy⁴, Wolfgang Marx⁵, Anna Lohning², Skye Marshall⁶

Affiliations

¹ Bond University Nutrition and Dietetics Research Group, Faculty of Health Science & Medicine, Bond University, Robina, Queensland, Australia; Bond University, Building 5, Level 2, 14 University Drive, Robina, Queensland, 4226, Australia. Electronic address: mcrichto@bond.edu.au.
² Bond University Nutrition and Dietetics Research Group, Faculty of Health Science & Medicine, Bond University, Robina, Queensland, Australia.
³ Bond University Nutrition and Dietetics Research Group, Faculty of Health Science & Medicine, Bond University, Robina, Queensland, Australia; Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Woolloongabba, Queensland, Australia.
⁴ School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, University of Queensland and Mater Health Services, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
⁵ Bond University Nutrition and Dietetics Research Group, Faculty of Health Science & Medicine, Bond University, Robina, Queensland, Australia; Deakin University, Food and Mood Centre, IMPACT Strategic Research Centre, School of Medicine, Barwon Health, Geelong, Victoria, Australia.
⁶ Bond University Nutrition and Dietetics Research Group, Faculty of Health Science & Medicine, Bond University, Robina, Queensland, Australia; Nutrition Research Australia, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

PMID: 33740590
DOI: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2021.101362

Abstract

Background and purpose: Minimal evidence regarding the safety and efficacy of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use during chemotherapy is accompanied with a high prevalence of use and nondisclosure to health professionals. This study aimed to explore patients' perspectives, experiences, support needs, and sources of information regarding CAM use during chemotherapy.

Materials and methods: Semi-structured interviews with ten adult participants who recently completed chemotherapy treatment at a large hospital in Australia were transcribed verbatim. Three investigators thematically analysed the interviews.

Results: These participants receiving chemotherapy valued CAMs as a natural complement to chemotherapy to improve wellbeing, with their use most strongly influenced by past experiences rather than expert advice.

Conclusion: Health professionals would benefit from education on how to best inform patients of the potential risks, harms and lack of efficacy for CAM use during chemotherapy in a way that does not lead to patient non-disclosure of CAM use.

Keywords: Alternative therapies; Cancer; Chemotherapy; Complementary and alternative medicine; Complementary therapies.

MeSH terms

Adult
Australia
Complementary Therapies*
Health Personnel
Humans