Use of non-conventional medicines by cancer patients
Keywords:
non-conventional medicines, drug interaction, cancer therapiesAbstract
Background: The number of cancer patients undergoing anticancer treatment who concomitantly take non-conventional medicines is increasing. Among cancer patients the use of non-conventional medicines, often in the form of self-medication, is intended to counteract the side-effects of cancer treatment, alleviate symptoms or strengthen the immune system. Aim of the work: The present study aimed to evaluate how widespread the practice is and to identify the possible interactions between non-conventional medicines and cancer therapies. Methods: This research was an observational prospective study of about 10 weeks. One hundred and forty-three patients undergoing cancer treatment in our day hospital were interviewed about their use of non-conventional medicines. Results: 35.7% (51/143) of patients reported taking vitamin or mineral supplements, 22.4% (32/143) take medicinal herbs and 4.9% (7/143) homeopathic remedies. 75% (24/ 32) using medicinal herbs were <64 years old and 78.1% of such patients (25/32) had a higher level of education. These data are in accord with the results from a survey carried out on cancer patients (n=1498) at a hospital in Coventry, UK, where the prevalence of medicinal herb use was 19.7% (95% CI: 17.4–22.1; n= 223). Conclusion: A significant number of cancer patients undergoing treatment with anticancer drugs also make use of non-conventional medicines, medicinal herbs being the most commonly used. Clinicians and patients should thus be educated as to the proper use of medicinal herbs to minimise the risk of related interactions.
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