Jm. Liu et al., CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY OF USE OF ALTERNATIVE MEDICINES IN CHINESE CANCER-PATIENTS, Japanese Journal of Clinical Oncology, 27(1), 1997, pp. 37-41
The aim of this study was to ascertain the prevalence of alternative m
edicine consumption in Chinese cancer patients on active conventional
treatment, A cross sectional survey of 100 consecutive advanced cancer
patients admitted to a cancer clinical trial referral unit were perso
nally interviewed by their assigned oncology research nurse using a sp
ecially designed questionnaire, The results showed that 64% of our pat
ients used indigenous Chinese medication, In all age groups except the
over-70s (P = 0.043), >50% took such medication, more female (76%) th
an male (57.6%) patients (P = 0.323), Patients of all educational leve
ls (P = 0.062) and religious backgrounds (P = 0.08) consumed alternati
ve medicines, Duration of alternative medication consumption was less
than three months in 50% of patients, with costs between US$40 and 200
0/month for 70% of patients, Reasons cited for alternative medication
consumption was hope that it might be of some benefit to their well be
ing or disease control, and maybe even result in a miracle cure. Sourc
es of advice on medication were mostly from strangers (by word of mout
h), family, friends, the media, and infrequently from qualified profes
sional Chinese doctors, Reasons for discontinuing such treatment were
mostly given as lack of positive effect, In conclusion, Chinese cancer
patients, willingly, rampantly and non-selectively seek out and consu
me alternative medications, with almost total ignorance of the medicat
ion consumed, oblivious to any potential side effects, and with little
subjective benefit.