Poster Presentation Clinical Oncology Society of Australia Annual Scientific Meeting 2022

Exploring pattern of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) use over cancer patients’ course of treatment (#346)

Ellen Jones 1 , Lisa Nissen 2 , Carol Windsor 3 , Kathryn Steadman 4 , Alexandra McCarthy 5
  1. Redcliffe Hospital, Redcliffe, QLD, Australia
  2. Faculty of Health, School of Clinical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
  3. Faculty of Health, School of Nursing, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
  4. School of Pharmacy, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
  5. School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia

Aim

Exploring the pattern of cancer patients’ CAM use over their course of anti-cancer treatment.  

Method

A prospective mixed-methods study was conducted from 1st January 2018 to 31st December 2019, capturing patients’ medication use (conventional and CAM) over the course of their anti-cancer treatment irrespective of CAM preferences and treatment intents (curative or palliative). Patients’ intention to use CAM was collected through a structured questionnaire and semi-structured interviews encompassing factors that may influence CAM use (e.g. demographics, attitudes / beliefs about CAM, self-perceived QOL/health status, and patient preferences about CAM). Patient interviews were repeated every three-months where applicable over the patients’ respective treatment courses. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the quantitative data collected. Data collected from patient interviews were transcribed and analyzed via thematic analysis.

Results

Initially, 122 patients were recruited with the number reducing over consecutive surveys (1 to 4), due to treatment completion or interruptions (e.g. radiation / surgery). Although CAM use was unpredictable, it was found that CAM behaviors between the curative and palliative cohorts were comparable and consistent, either as users or non-users, with the intentions for use being for health optimization. Some decisions related to CAM use were made through collaborations with doctors and pharmacists according to clinical needs and appropriateness. Additionally, patients identified as CAM users displayed a commitment to integrating CAM with treatment where possible. Yet, non-CAM users could also share similarities with the users.

Conclusion

CAM use or non-use is clearly an individual decision. However, regular medication reviews during treatment and building rapport with patients are key to establishing trust, which also facilitates effective communication and better patient care where integration of CAM with anti-cancer treatment is necessary.