A survey of unproven cancer remedies and their users in an outpatient clinic for cancer therapy in Finland

A group of 61 male and 90 female non-selected Finnish cancer patients were interviewed forthe use of unproven cancer remedies. About 50 remedies were known to these patients and 23 of these were actually in use. The most popular remedy was extract of birch ash, but health beverages, with or without ascorbic acid and iodine, butterbur and beetroot were also commonly used.

55.6% of the females and 29.5% of the males had used unproven cancer remedies and 38.9% and 37.7%respectively had confidence in such remedies. Those with a higher educational level more often had confidence in these remedies than did those with only a basic education, but the actual use of the remedies was similar in both groups. The most common argument behind their use was that the remedy was health-restoring, and confidence was grounded in reports of its beneficial results. The majority of users had learned the remedy from their friends and relatives and used it in conjunction with cancer therapy or afterwards. Only a few had felt any positive effects on their cancer, however. The majority of patients had not discussed such remedies with the medical staff.