台灣大腸直腸癌病人使用輔助另類醫療之現況分析

Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine among People with Colorectal Cancer in Taiwan

Research into Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) use by people with colorectal cancer (CRC) is limited. This study explored CAM use among patients who CRC for followup treatment. Special attention was paid to patients' changing patterns of CAM use before and after diagnosis with CRC, their experience of CAM use, and their management of CAM use with conventional medicines. A retrospective survey cross-sectional survey (n=486) in Taiwan during 2006~2013 (86.6% response rate). CRC patients reported extensive use of CAM with medicines. The CAM use was 7.2% before and 32.7% after diagnosis with CRC with Chinese herbal medicines being the most commonly used CAM before and after diagnosis (p=0.001). However, CAM was recommended by healthcare professionals remained low (4.3%), and treat cancer or its symptoms was common (52.9%). Awareness of the widespread use of CAM by people with CRC is crucial for healthcare professionals. CAM use after CRC diagnosis is common, healthcare professionals may provide information about CAM and treat cancer or its symptoms. These findings may be used by clinicians and researchers to inform their decisions regarding which CAM to address clinical practice and research.