ArticlePloS one2023
Utilization of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) by women with breast cancer or gynecological cancer.
Article in PloS one, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. It carries an expression of concern. Cited by 19 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
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Who cites it
19 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
- Mistletoe Extracts during the Oncological Perioperative Period: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Human Randomized Controlled Trials.Current oncology (Toronto, Ont.) · 2023Pooled it
- Unveiling a sustainable approach to cancer treatment: the antitumor activity of amygdalin and cell-free supernatant of Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus.Folia microbiologica · 2026Article
- The financial burden resulting from complementary and alternative medicine in oncology care.BMC complementary medicine and therapies · 2026Article
- Differences in Self-purchased Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use and Patient-reported Satisfaction between Female-specific and Non-female-specific Cancer Patients.Journal of cancer prevention · 2026Article
- In Vitro Anti-Glioblastoma Activity of a Novel Pt(IV)-Ganoderic Acid A Conjugate.International journal of molecular sciences · 2026Article
- Evidence-Based Perspectives on Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Cancer Treatment: Current Advances and Clinical Relevance.Journal of multidisciplinary healthcare · 2026Review
- Polyphenol-enriched fraction ofFrontiers in pharmacology · 2026Article
- Complementary and Alternative Therapy Use Among Cancer Patients in Qassim: Patterns, Predictors, and Patient Perspectives.Cancer management and research · 2026Article
- Integrative multidisciplinary oncological approach in cancer patients receiving oncological treatments: a case series.Frontiers in pharmacology · 2026Article
- Investigation of Cytotoxic, Antioxidant, Apoptotic/Necrotic Activity ofLife (Basel, Switzerland) · 2025Article
- Ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plants used in management of breast cancers in Qatar.Heliyon · 2025Article
- Expression of Concern: Utilization of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) by women with breast cancer or gynecological cancer.PloS one · 2025Article
- Personal Use and Attitude toward Integrative Medicine and Nursing among Employees at a German University Hospital: Results of a Cross-Sectional Study.Complementary medicine research · 2025Article
- Oncology researchers' and clinicians' perceptions of complementary, alternative, and integrative medicine: an international, cross-sectional survey.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2024Article
- Article
- Homeopathy as Praxis: Integration of Homeopathy as Supportive Care into Daily Life in Early Breast Cancer Patients.Integrative cancer therapiesArticle
- A Survey on the Prescribing Orientation Towards Complementary Therapies Among Oncologists in Italy: Symptoms and Unmet Patient Needs.In vivo (Athens, Greece)Article
- Effect of Laser Auriculotherapy on Managing Neuropsychological Symptom Clusters in Patients With Gastrointestinal Neoplasms: Protocol for a Randomized Clinical Trial.Global advances in integrative medicine and healthArticle
- Adherence of Patients With Breast Carcinoma and Gynecologic Genital Carcinoma in the Use of Integrative Therapy Recommendations.Integrative cancer therapiesArticle
Corrections and comments
- Expression of concern
Authors and funding
4 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundComplementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) has become increasingly popular among cancer patients. The prevalence of CAM use differs worldwide and depends on different sociodemographic and medical characteristics. Findings on predictors for CAM use and its benefits for quality of Life (QoL) have been inconclusive in recent studies.
objectiveThe aim of the study was to determine the prevalence and methods of CAM use in breast cancer (BC) and gynecological cancer (GC) patients, to compare CAM users vs. non-CAM users regarding their sociodemographic and medical characteristics, and to investigate the relationship between CAM use and QoL.
methodsIn a sub-analysis from a multicenter, cross-sectional study in Germany, we examined 1,214 female cancer patients (897 with BC and 317 with GC). We obtained data from self-reports via standardized questionnaires and measured QoL with the EORTC QLQ-C30.
resultsIn total, 565 of the 1,214 patients (46.5%) used some form of CAM. Its use was higher in BC than in GC patients (48.6% vs. 40.7%). In both cancer groups, the users evaluated CAM as being helpful (BC: 60.8%, GC: 59.6%) The most frequently used CAM methods were vitamins/minerals/micronutrients, homeopathy, and mistletoe therapy. CAM users are younger, more highly educated, and financially better off than non-CAM users. They are also characterized by having been diagnosed with cancer a longer time ago, being at more advanced stages of the disease, and experiencing higher distress levels. CAM use is significantly associated with a lower global health status/ QoL in GC patients. Predictors for CAM use are: high level of vocational education, middle or high monthly income, time span since diagnosis of more than 12 months, the status of currently ongoing chemotherapy or hormone therapy treatment, and distress.
conclusionOur data support the findings of previous studies and highlight the need to develop a consistent CAM definition with respect to comparability and evaluation of CAM services. More longitudinal studies are desirable to establish viable associations between CAM use and relevant outcomes such as QoL or disease management.
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