A Current Assessment of the Use of Complementary Medicine in German Cancer Patients: The CONKO 022 Investigation.

Abstract

Introduction: Approximately 50% of cancer patients use practices of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). However, some of these methods may interact with oncological medication. Despite the generally increasing use of CAM in recent years, its prevalence has been studied insufficiently among cancer patients in Germany. Thus, this study aimed to assess the recent use of CAM among cancer patients, evaluate communication on CAM between patients and healthcare providers, and present an overview of the most frequently used practices.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a standardized questionnaire including 19 CAM methods as well as sociodemographic and clinical parameters. Also, aspects of communication and quality of life were assessed. Patients were surveyed between September 2022 and June 2023, involving various entities such as breast cancer, lymphoma, and gastrointestinal malignancies. Data analysis was conducted using the Kruskal-Wallis test and one-factor ANOVA.

Results: In total, 154 patients (65.5% female) were included. 88.3% of patients reported use of CAM practices either before receiving their oncological diagnosis or after or both. Out of all patients, 62.3% of patients stated to have begun using at least one CAM practice post-diagnosis. 36.6% of all patients reported to have received information on potential drug interactions by their attending physician, while 60.8% informed their physician about their use of CAM. The most frequently used CAM methods were dietary supplements, massage therapy, and yoga. Overall, female patients reported use of CAM significantly more often than males.

Conclusion: Use of CAM methods appears to be common in this sample of cancer patients. To mitigate risks associated with potential drug interactions, enhanced communication and education between patients and healthcare providers is essential. Integrating a standardized questionnaire on CAM methods into routine oncological care may improve patient safety and treatment outcomes.