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Differences in use of complementary and alternative medicine between children and adolescents with cancer in Germany: A population based survey
Author(s) -
Gottschling Sven,
Meyer Sascha,
Längler Alfred,
Scharifi Gilbert,
Ebinger Friedrich,
Gronwald Benjamin
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
pediatric blood and cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.116
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1545-5017
pISSN - 1545-5009
DOI - 10.1002/pbc.24769
Subject(s) - medicine , homeopathy , massage , alternative medicine , family medicine , acupuncture , population , cancer , limiting , integrative medicine , adverse effect , environmental health , pathology , mechanical engineering , engineering
Abstract Background Use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in children with cancer is common and probably increasing. However, data concerning differences between children and adolescents focusing on prevalence, reasons for use/non‐use, costs, adverse effects, and socio‐demographic factors are lacking. Procedure A population‐based survey over a 1 year period with 497 participants was conducted. Results Of the 457 respondents (92%) 322 were children and 135 adolescents (>16 years of age) with malignancies. 31% reported CAM use from the time when being diagnosed, compared to an overall lifetime prevalence rate of 41% before cancer diagnosis. Among CAM users the most prevalent therapies were homeopathy, massage, anthroposophic medicine, acupuncture, and Bach flowers. The main reasons for use were to reduce therapy‐related side effects, to strengthen the immune system, to achieve physical stabilization and to increase healing chances. Socio‐demographic factors associated with CAM use were higher parental education and higher family income. A majority of CAM users (97%) would recommend CAM use. Most users (78%) informed a physician about CAM use. Side effects were rarely reported (5%), minor and self‐limiting. Conclusions The high prevalence rates seem to represent the parental or patients needs for additional treatment perceived as successful and devoid of side‐effects. Clinical care and the physician–patient relation would profit from an enhanced understanding of CAM and a greater candidness towards the parental needs. Safety and efficacy – especially of CAM with high prevalence rates – should be studied in rigorous basic and clinical research. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2014;61:488–492. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.