Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Cancer Patients and the Causes of Tendency to Use Such Treatments in Isfahan, Iran

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The current study aimed to, first, investigate the frequency of cancer patients who receive complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), separated by the type of the disease, and second, to study their incentives and causes of use. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Following a cross-sectional design, cancer cases referred to referral centers of cancer in Isfahan province were studied. Data were collected using a researcher-developed checklist that included type of the disease, complementary medicine, and causes of a tendency to use CAM. RESULTS: A total of 256 patients were studied. One hundred and sixty-three patients (63.7%) had a history of receiving CAM. Sixty-five percent of the patients were satisfied with their CAM treatment. Patients with breast cancer had the highest prevalence of CAM use (72.2%), which was more than other types of cancers (P = 0.046). There was no significant association between the frequency of CAM use and the patient characteristics such as age, level of education, marital status, and gender (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: It is evident that the majority of patients with cancer are using CAM modulates and are satisfied with it. They want to try every possible way to cure. Physicians should consider the likelihood that their patient is taking CAM and adopt appropriate strategies to address the issue.