|
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) |
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