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USE OF COMPLEMENTARY/ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE (CAM) BY CANCER PATIENTS AT A UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL

Ahlam Sallam, Arwa Alnaseeb, Hajar AlOtaibi, Maryam Bawazir, Nada Bin Daud and Abdulkareem Almomen

Background and purpose: Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies are commonly used by cancer patients around the world. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to explore the extent of CAM therapies use by cancer patients, discover patients’ motives, sources, and beliefs regarding the benefits of CAM therapies, and determine patient awareness of possible adverse effects. Materials and methods: A comprehensive, validated questionnaire in Arabic was explained and given to patients who provided their consent to participate. All patients attended King Saud University-Medical City Oncology Center. Results: Among the patients, 136 responded to the questionnaire and 97 (71.3%) reported using some form of CAM therapies. The most frequently used CAM therapies were Zamzam water (Holy water from Makkah), honey, olive oil, black seeds, dates, and camel milk (with/without camel urine). Many patients were unaware of any adverse effects of CAM therapies. Statistical analyses showed that there were no significant differences between users and non-users in terms of gender, age, nationality, marital status, or educational level (p<.05). Conclusion: Many cancer patients use various forms of CAM therapies because they believe that CAM therapies may be beneficial and are harmless. Key Words: Complementary and alternative medicine, cancer, neoplasm, Saudi Arabia.

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