|
| Prevalence of CAM use | (%) |
|
| Used CAM in the previous year | |
| No | 107 (71) |
| Yes | 43 (29) |
| Used CAM since diagnosis | |
| No | 88 (59) |
| Yes | 62 (41) |
| CAM related characteristics among CAM users | |
| Alternative or complementary to conventional treatment | |
| Complementary | 56 (90) |
| Alternative | 6 (10) |
| Asked doctor about CAM used | |
| No | 36 (58) |
| Yes | 26 (42) |
| Doctor’s reaction to CAM use | |
| Neutral | 9 (35) |
| Encouraging | 12 (46) |
| Discouraging | 5 (19) |
| Reasons for not disclosing CAM use to doctors | |
| Not important, does not affect health | 9 (47) |
| Though important, I did not have the chance/time | 6 (32) |
| Doctors does not believe in it | 2 (11) |
| Doctors does not have the expertise | 1 (5) |
| Doctor will be angry | 1 (5) |
| CAM choice | |
| Friends | 30 (48) |
| Media | 25 (40) |
| Personal choice | 12 (19) |
| Family beliefs | 8 (13) |
| Health food shop | 2 (3) |
| Alternative medicine therapist | 2 (3) |
| Health practitioner | 1 (2) |
| Religious beliefs | 1 (2) |
| Frequency of CAM use | |
| Only one time | 7 (11) |
| Once per month | 3 (5) |
| Regular (at least twice a week for a minimum of one month) | 46 (74) |
| Other | 6 (10) |
| CAM provider | |
| Purchased from local store/pharmacy | 44 (76) |
| Naturopath | 8 (14) |
| Practitioner of traditional medicine | 2 (3) |
| Homeopath | 2 (3) |
| Massage therapist | 1 (2) |
| Secret dealer (cannabis/marijuana) | 1 (2) |
| Estimated cost of CAM use per month | |
| <10$ | 16 (29) |
| 10–50$ | 16 (29) |
| >50$ | 23 (42) |
| Reasons for CAM use | |
| To improve general health and ensure long term survival | 35 (57) |
| To manage cancer complications/progression | 32 (52) |
| Belief in advantages of CAM | 27 (44) |
| To help in relaxation and feeling better psychologically | 25 (40) |
| More natural practice | 25 (40) |
| To reduce side effects of conventional therapy | 24 (39) |
| To feel more in control over health | 20 (32) |
| Curiosity | 10 (16) |
| To provide energy | 9 (15) |
| Family tradition/culture | 9 (15) |
| Religious | 4 (7) |
| How do you assess the usefulness of CAM? | |
| Not at all | 14 (23) |
| Some | 9 (15) |
| A lot, very satisfied | 17 (27) |
| Can’t tell | 22 (36) |
| Side effects from CAM | |
| No | 55 (92) |
| Yes | 2 (3) |
| Undecided | 3 (5) |
| Would you use CAM again? | |
| No | 9 (15) |
| Yes | 47 (78) |
| Undecided | 4 (8) |
| Would you recommend CAM use to other lung cancer patients? | |
| No | 13 (21) |
| Yes | 40 (65) |
| Undecided | 9 (15) |
|
