The use of complementary medications by cancer patients attending an outpatient pain and symptom clinic

Complementary medications appear to be gaining popularity among cancer pati ents. When we surveyed 143 advanced cancer patients attending an outpatient pain and symptom clinic at a regional cancer centre as to their use of com plementary medications and nutritional supplements, we found 37% (53/143) t o be making use of complementary medications. Users tended to be younger (m ean age 53.3 years) and have a preference for purchase from health stores, with 61% of complementary medications being bought there. Health store staf f were the primary recommenders for both men and women and especially for t hose over 60 years of age. Of the 197 complementary medications purchased, 78 (39.6%) were herbs, 67 (32.5%) were vitamins, 13 (6.6%) were minerals, 2 1 (10.7%) were other medications including shark cartilage, and 21 (10.7%) could not be identified. Both anticancer effect and the promotion of well-b eing were prominent among the stated reasons for using these medications.