Frequency of use and characteristics of complementary and alternative treatment methods by children oncology patients

Abstract

Background/aim: The use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) has been increasing in recent years. The aim of this study was to investigate the use of CAM and the sociodemographic characteristics of pediatric patients. Materials and methods: This cross - sectional study was completed with 139 patients newly diagnosed with or followed-up with cancer diagnosis in the pediatric oncology outpatient clinic of Ankara University Faculty of Medicine. Results: All of the patients stated that they prayed for the recovery of the disease. It was found that 26.6% of the patients used at least one CAM method. The most commonly used CAM methods were honey (59.5%), bee pollen/royal jelly (56.8%) and grape molasses (45.9%), 37.8% of the patients consulted to a muslim preacher for prayer assistance. 62% of the patients using CAM stated that they did not inform their doctor on this issue. Conclusion: Patients should be informed and warned that CAM methods should never prevent the medical treatment and should not be used instead of medical treatment, that they should share it with their doctors when they want to use any method.

Keywords

• Children
• cancer
• complementary medicine
• alternative medicine

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