Use of complementary and alternative medicine by oncology patients: challenges and opportunities

Abstract

The article by Jones and colleagues (1) recently published in Integrative Cancer Therapies reported on complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use by minority and medically underserved oncology patients at one hospital setting in Houston, Texas, USA. They find that cancer patients had very high awareness and interest in various CAM modalities as well as high prevalence of use of CAM. The authors conclude that while CAM use is common among the oncology patients they surveyed it, is not guided by providers and they highlight the importance of patient-provider discussions about CAM.