Complementary and Alternative Medicine Used by Pediatric Patients With Cancer in Western Turkey

Purpose/Objectives: To determine the extent of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use, the types of therapies employed, and the reasons for choosing those therapies.

Design: Descriptive type, cross-sectional.

Setting: Pediatric oncology department in western Turkey.

Sample: 112 children receiving or completing treatment for cancer.

Methods: Parents of 112 children completed a questionnaire regarding CAM use. Analyses included examining correlations between CAM use and demographic variables.

Main Research Variables: CAM use and demographic variables.

Findings: 77% of the patients used one or more type of CAM, with herb use being the most common.

Conclusions: About 75% of parents used CAM for their children. However, about 25% sought discussion with the physician about the CAM they were using.

Implications for Nursing: Nurses should approach their patients without prejudice, gather information about the various CAM techniques, and share this knowledge with their patients.