A French survey on the resort of oral alternative complementary medicines used in children with cancer (Article)
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a Institute of Paediatric Hematology and Oncology (IHOP), Pharmacy Department, 1, place Joseph-Renaut, Lyon, France
b Institute of Paediatric Hematology and Oncology (IHOP), Oncology Department, Lyon,
b Institute of Paediatric Hematology and Oncology (IHOP), Oncology Department, Lyon,
Abstract
Introduction: The use of oral complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is widespread among cancer patients, but considerably less known in pediatric cancer patients. Our survey was conducted in a pediatric onco-hematology unit to study the frequency and the circumstances of CAM use. Methods: This study included 50 children treated for malignant diseases. A questionnaire was used to collect support general data on the child as well as information on the CAM use. One of the child's parents was interviewed. Results: Most of parents (48%) used one or more CAM for their child in the context of cancer. The most used type of CAM was homeopathy, dietary supplements and aromatherapy. The most frequent goal for CAM use was to limit the side effects of conventional treatment (75% of parents). For 87.5% of users, the CAM was effective. Physicians were not aware of this use for 33.3% of users, in spite of the fact that the family physician was the main source of information for this use. Most of parents (48%) needed more information about the CAM and they bought CAM in a pharmacy. Conclusions: The use of oral CAM in this survey was common. For most parents, this use was effective and appreciated because they generated fewer side effects than conventional treatments. However, doctors were not systematically informed of this use. This is problematic because some CAM such as herbal supplements could potentially cause interactions with cancer treatments. More information about CAM is necessary in pediatric onco-hematology. © 2015 Société Française du Cancer.
Author keywords
Cancer; Children; Complementary medicines; Oral alternative
Indexed keywords
EMTREE medical terms: alternative medicine; aromatherapy; Article; cancer therapy; child; childhood cancer; clinical article; diet supplementation; general practitioner; health education; homeopathy; human; oral alternative complementary medicine; parent; adolescent; alternative medicine; female; France; infant; interpersonal communication; male; Neoplasms; oral drug administration; preschool child; prospective study; questionnaire; statistics and numerical data; utilization
MeSH: Administration, Oral; Adolescent; Aromatherapy; Child; Child, Preschool; Complementary Therapies; Disclosure; Female; France; Homeopathy; Humans; Infant; Male; Neoplasms; Parents; Prospective Studies; Surveys and Questionnaires
Medline is the source for the MeSH terms of this document.
Medline is the source for the MeSH terms of this document.
ISSN: 00074551 CODEN: BUCABSource Type: Journal Original language: French
Publisher: John Libbey Eurotext
