WHY ARE CANCER-PATIENTS USING NON-PROVEN COMPLEMENTARY THERAPIES - A CROSS-SECTIONAL MULTICENTER STUDY IN NORWAY

This study addressed the use of alternative medicine, here called non- proven therapies (NPTs), among hospitalised Norwegian cancer patients. A total of 126 (20%) of the assessable 630 patients were users of NPT s. Approximately 43% of all patients and more than 60% of the users of NPTs stated that they would like NPTs to be an option in hospitals be longing to the National Health Service. Most users of NPTs (82%) consu lted traditional medicine first, while 15% started treatment with NPTs simultaneously. Users of NPTs reported to have received less hope of a cure (30%) from their physicians than non-users (50%). Users mostly learned about NPTs from friends and relatives. Most users believed tha t NPTs might give them strength and relieve their symptoms. Very few p atients believed in a cure (10%). Nearly 40% were uncertain of any eff ect of the NPTs or felt there had been no effect. 4 patients reported adverse effects. 15 patients had been treated abroad, most of them in Denmark. Expenses incurred through use of NPTs were mostly moderate, b ut some patients used large sums of money. Patients' opinions on wheth er or not the treatment had been expensive were closely linked to thei r anticipation of the effect of the treatment. (C) 1997 Elsevier Scien ce Ltd.