An analysis of paper-based sources of information on complementary therapies

Assessing Existing Food Safety Resources with United Kingdom-Based Chemotherapy Patients and Family Caregivers for Future Learning Purposes

ABSTRACT

Because the incidence of foodborne infection is more prevalent among cancer patients and the domestic kitchen is a contributor to foodborne infection, appropriate domestic food safety practices are needed to safeguard this at-risk population. Although patients are aware of the increased risk of infection, previous self-reported data indicate potential food safety malpractices among patients and family caregivers, thus suggesting the need for targeted food safety information. However, existing United Kingdom resources provide inconsistent and insufficient food safety information. Involvement of intended end users in the cocreation of interventions increases potential effectiveness. Qualitative data were collated from in-depth interviews and a focus group with United Kingdom chemotherapy patients and family caregivers (n = 35) to determine perceptions and preferences for food safety information by evaluating existing food safety resources from international providers (n = 12). Although participants liked digital interventions (e.g., Web sites and videos), traditional paper-based leaflets were perceived as the most beneficial because they could be referred to on repeated occasions. Despite the drawbacks associated with some resources, combining approaches in a multiresource intervention was favored by patients and family caregivers. Ensuring patients are not overwhelmed with excessive information was important. Short, logical, engaging, educational, and entertaining information to evoke an interest in the topic was preferred. Utilization of graphics to supplement descriptive information may enhance comprehensibility. Interventions need to be appropriate for patients and caregivers, and delivery by trusted health care professionals may enhance the credibility of the message. Preferred approaches to facilitate targeted food safety communication were identified, and these findings can be utilized to cocreate targeted food safety interventions for chemotherapy patients and family caregivers.

HIGHLIGHTS

Complementary Methods in Cancer Treatment-Cure or Curse?

(1) Background: The prevalence of complementary and alternative methods (CAM) use among oncological patients has been rising constantly over the last few decades and a variety of both pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods have been developed. Many advertisements promise to relieve side effects of chemotherapy or even to cure the disease, thus encouraging patients to use CAM; (2) Methods: The objective of the study was to determine which patients' characteristics are associated with the use of complementary medicine during cancer treatment, their pattern of use, and if it has any association with its safety profile. This survey-based prospective multicenter study of 316 patients examined the use of complementary medicine among patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment in cancer centers in Poland between 2017 and 2019; (3) Results: The Chi2 analysis showed that patients' opinion regarding the safety of unconventional methods is related to the use of CAM (p = 0.00147). Moreover, patients' thinking that alternative medicine can replace traditional therapy was correlated with his/her education (p = 0.01198). Moreover, we performed univariate and multivariate analysis to determine factors associated with CAM use including sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. Finally, we conducted survival analysis of patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment with 42 months of follow-up time of our prospective study. Using Kaplan-Meier curves and log-rank analysis, we found no statistical difference in overall survival between the groups that used and did not use any form of CAM (p = 0.211); (4) Conclusions: CAM use is common among patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment and should be considered by medical teams as some agents may interact with chemotherapy drugs and affect their efficacy or cause adverse effects.

The use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine by cancer patients

The use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) among cancer patients is widespread and appears to be increasing. However, it is not clear whether patients use CAM as an 'alternative' to standard oncology care or as an adjunct to the conventional treatment they receive. This study reviews the role of CAM therapies in the management of cancer, from the view of both patients and health professionals and it highlights issues relating to the efficacy of CAM used by cancer patients. Most patients use CAM to 'complement' the conventional therapies of radiotherapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy and surgery. Health professionals in general have expressed positive views when CAM is used 'complementarily' and not as an 'Alternative'. Results so far published have shown that CAM can contribute to improving the quality of life of cancer patients and their general well-being.