Patients’ information on side effects of cancer treatment and usage of complementary and alternative medicine – A cross-sectional study

Many cancer patients use complementary and alternative methods (CAM) to reduce side effects of cancer treatment. The aim of our study was to evaluate the impact of information patients receive on side effects on choice to use CAM. Patients of a cancer center undergoing outpatient treatment were assessed using a structured questionnaire. From 150 cancer patients taking part, 102 (68.0 %) reported side effects. 138 patients (92.0 %) reported to have been informed on potential side effects before start of treatment and only 79 patients (52.7 %) received any supportive treatment. Only 95 and 97 patients (63.3 and 64.7 % resp.) reported having received information of prevention of side effects and 130 patients (86.7 %) reported using additional or complementary methods and 75 (50.1 %) used at least one CAM method. Females and patients with higher education were more likely to use CAM. Neither information on side effects nor on methods to prevent or treat side effects was associated with a reduction in the likelihood of using CAM. Information on dealing with side effects is lacking for many patients and should be addressed in a more structured process. However, this lack of information does not seem to be a driver of usage of complementary methods. • There is a great need for CAM. • More than a third reported not having received information on opportunities to reduce or treat side effects. • There was no association between CAM usage and rate of side effects. • Improving discussion of side effects and structured patient reported assessment are mandatory.