Why do some cancer patients receiving chemotherapy choose to take complementary and alternative medicines and what are the risks

摘要: Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) cover a broad diverse group of treatments products that do not tend to be widely used by conventional healthcare professions. CAM is systemically absorbed the most likely interfere with concurrent chemotherapy potentially cause harm cancer patients. Patients receiving may consuming treat cancer, lessen side effects, for symptom management, or conditions unrelated their cancer. A small proportion patients decide use alone delay treatment. Cancer influenced in decision-making others: practitioners, family, friends, spouse even casual acquaintances met waiting rooms support groups. This influence range from encouraging supporting patient's decision through making decisions patient. When tested rigorous clinical trials, no have shown benefit beyond placebo. With exception ginger chemotherapy-induced nausea, there compelling evidence overriding risk take complementary medicines supportive care during There is, however, established mind-body therapies