Research Article

Investigation of the Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine by Patients Who Underwent Oncological Surgery

Volume: 18 Number: 3 July 25, 2025
TR EN

Investigation of the Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine by Patients Who Underwent Oncological Surgery

Abstract

Background: Cancer patients use Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) to cope with the side effects of cancer treatments, provide nutritional support, strengthen the immune system, and speed recovery. Objectives: This study aimed on the utilization of complementary and alternative medicine in post-oncological surgery patients. Methods: This descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted between April 1 and October 1, 2021, involving 322 patients who underwent surgical intervention due to a cancer diagnosis in the oncology unit of a university hospital in western Turkey. The data were collected using the "Patient Identification Form" and "Form for Determining the Use of CAM". Results: It was determined that approximately half of the patients who underwent oncological surgery utilized CAM, with 87.5 % of CAM users employing biological-based methods, 90.6 % utilizing mind-body interventions, and 78 % using both methods concurrently. Moreover, it was found that 3.1 % of patients experienced side effects related to the method they employed. Conclusion: Patients were found to frequently utilize CAM both prior to surgery and in the postoperative period. It was determined that patients were influenced by their experiences and aimed to strengthen their immunity, support treatment, and protect themselves from side effects when choosing CAM.It is recommended that healthcare professionals identify and document the reasons for patients' use of CAM and the methods they apply.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Surgical Diseases Nursing​​

Journal Section

Research Article

Early Pub Date

July 15, 2025

Publication Date

July 25, 2025

Submission Date

April 16, 2024

Acceptance Date

June 30, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 18 Number: 3

APA
Karacabay, K., Savci, A., Kabu Hergül, F., Cihan, E., & Yüksel Kuru, B. (2025). Investigation of the Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine by Patients Who Underwent Oncological Surgery. Etkili Hemşirelik Dergisi, 18(3), 465-477. https://doi.org/10.46483/jnef.1469224
AMA
1.Karacabay K, Savci A, Kabu Hergül F, Cihan E, Yüksel Kuru B. Investigation of the Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine by Patients Who Underwent Oncological Surgery. JNEF. 2025;18(3):465-477. doi:10.46483/jnef.1469224
Chicago
Karacabay, Kevser, Aysegul Savci, Filiz Kabu Hergül, Emel Cihan, and Burcu Yüksel Kuru. 2025. “Investigation of the Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine by Patients Who Underwent Oncological Surgery”. Etkili Hemşirelik Dergisi 18 (3): 465-77. https://doi.org/10.46483/jnef.1469224.
EndNote
Karacabay K, Savci A, Kabu Hergül F, Cihan E, Yüksel Kuru B (July 1, 2025) Investigation of the Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine by Patients Who Underwent Oncological Surgery. Etkili Hemşirelik Dergisi 18 3 465–477.
IEEE
[1]K. Karacabay, A. Savci, F. Kabu Hergül, E. Cihan, and B. Yüksel Kuru, “Investigation of the Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine by Patients Who Underwent Oncological Surgery”, JNEF, vol. 18, no. 3, pp. 465–477, July 2025, doi: 10.46483/jnef.1469224.
ISNAD
Karacabay, Kevser - Savci, Aysegul - Kabu Hergül, Filiz - Cihan, Emel - Yüksel Kuru, Burcu. “Investigation of the Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine by Patients Who Underwent Oncological Surgery”. Etkili Hemşirelik Dergisi 18/3 (July 1, 2025): 465-477. https://doi.org/10.46483/jnef.1469224.
JAMA
1.Karacabay K, Savci A, Kabu Hergül F, Cihan E, Yüksel Kuru B. Investigation of the Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine by Patients Who Underwent Oncological Surgery. JNEF. 2025;18:465–477.
MLA
Karacabay, Kevser, et al. “Investigation of the Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine by Patients Who Underwent Oncological Surgery”. Etkili Hemşirelik Dergisi, vol. 18, no. 3, July 2025, pp. 465-77, doi:10.46483/jnef.1469224.
Vancouver
1.Kevser Karacabay, Aysegul Savci, Filiz Kabu Hergül, Emel Cihan, Burcu Yüksel Kuru. Investigation of the Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine by Patients Who Underwent Oncological Surgery. JNEF. 2025 Jul. 1;18(3):465-77. doi:10.46483/jnef.1469224

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