Application of alternative medicine in gastrointestinal cancer patients

Bacground/Aim. Alternative medicine is a set of therapeutic procedures which are no part of official practice. At present, the use of alternative medicine among cancer patients is significant and the purpose of this study was to get more information on the methods and products of alternative medi...

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Main Authors: Nikolić Ivan, Smiljenić Dragana, Kukić Biljana, Bogdanović Bogdan, Petrović Tomislav, Ivković-Kapicl Tatjana, Kozarski Dejan, Đan Igor
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Serbia, University of Defence, Belgrade 2012-01-01
Series:Vojnosanitetski Pregled
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.doiserbia.nb.rs/img/doi/0042-8450/2012/0042-84501211947N.pdf
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author Nikolić Ivan
Smiljenić Dragana
Kukić Biljana
Bogdanović Bogdan
Petrović Tomislav
Ivković-Kapicl Tatjana
Kozarski Dejan
Đan Igor
author_facet Nikolić Ivan
Smiljenić Dragana
Kukić Biljana
Bogdanović Bogdan
Petrović Tomislav
Ivković-Kapicl Tatjana
Kozarski Dejan
Đan Igor
author_sort Nikolić Ivan
collection DOAJ
description Bacground/Aim. Alternative medicine is a set of therapeutic procedures which are no part of official practice. At present, the use of alternative medicine among cancer patients is significant and the purpose of this study was to get more information on the methods and products of alternative medicine. Thus, the aim of the study was to determine the frequency of the use of alternative medicine among gastrointestinal cancer patients. Methods. The research was conducted using an anonymous questionnaire in writing. We included 205 patients with the diagnosis of gastrointestinal malignancy in the study but the questionnaire was fulfilled by 193 patients and the presented data were based on their answers. The questions were about the sociodemographic characteristics of the patients, the reasons for their use of alternative medicine, and their information sources about alternative medicine. We divided existing alternative therapies into 6 categories: herbal therapy, special diets, psychotherapy, body-mind therapy, spiritual therapy, and other supplements. Results. A total of 48 (24.9%) patients did not use any type of alternative therapy; 145 (75.1%) patients used at least one product and 124 (64.25%) patients used herbal preparations (beetroot juice was consumed by 110 [56.99%] patients); 136 (70.5%) patients were informed about alternative therapies by other patients.; 145 (75.1% ) used alternative medicine to increase the chances for cure; 88 (45.6%) of interviewed patients would like to participate in future research in this field. Conclusion. The use of alternative medicine is evidently significant among cancer patients. Further research should be conducted in order to find out interactions of these products with other drugs and potential advantages and disadvantages of this form of treatment.
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spelling doaj-art-adcde363848d4ae78dfeb76bc6ea2fa22025-08-20T01:59:53ZengMinistry of Defence of the Republic of Serbia, University of Defence, BelgradeVojnosanitetski Pregled0042-84502012-01-01691194795010.2298/VSP1211947NApplication of alternative medicine in gastrointestinal cancer patientsNikolić IvanSmiljenić DraganaKukić BiljanaBogdanović BogdanPetrović TomislavIvković-Kapicl TatjanaKozarski DejanĐan IgorBacground/Aim. Alternative medicine is a set of therapeutic procedures which are no part of official practice. At present, the use of alternative medicine among cancer patients is significant and the purpose of this study was to get more information on the methods and products of alternative medicine. Thus, the aim of the study was to determine the frequency of the use of alternative medicine among gastrointestinal cancer patients. Methods. The research was conducted using an anonymous questionnaire in writing. We included 205 patients with the diagnosis of gastrointestinal malignancy in the study but the questionnaire was fulfilled by 193 patients and the presented data were based on their answers. The questions were about the sociodemographic characteristics of the patients, the reasons for their use of alternative medicine, and their information sources about alternative medicine. We divided existing alternative therapies into 6 categories: herbal therapy, special diets, psychotherapy, body-mind therapy, spiritual therapy, and other supplements. Results. A total of 48 (24.9%) patients did not use any type of alternative therapy; 145 (75.1%) patients used at least one product and 124 (64.25%) patients used herbal preparations (beetroot juice was consumed by 110 [56.99%] patients); 136 (70.5%) patients were informed about alternative therapies by other patients.; 145 (75.1% ) used alternative medicine to increase the chances for cure; 88 (45.6%) of interviewed patients would like to participate in future research in this field. Conclusion. The use of alternative medicine is evidently significant among cancer patients. Further research should be conducted in order to find out interactions of these products with other drugs and potential advantages and disadvantages of this form of treatment.http://www.doiserbia.nb.rs/img/doi/0042-8450/2012/0042-84501211947N.pdfneoplasmsgastrointestinal neoplasmscomplementary therapies
spellingShingle Nikolić Ivan
Smiljenić Dragana
Kukić Biljana
Bogdanović Bogdan
Petrović Tomislav
Ivković-Kapicl Tatjana
Kozarski Dejan
Đan Igor
Application of alternative medicine in gastrointestinal cancer patients
Vojnosanitetski Pregled
neoplasms
gastrointestinal neoplasms
complementary therapies
title Application of alternative medicine in gastrointestinal cancer patients
title_full Application of alternative medicine in gastrointestinal cancer patients
title_fullStr Application of alternative medicine in gastrointestinal cancer patients
title_full_unstemmed Application of alternative medicine in gastrointestinal cancer patients
title_short Application of alternative medicine in gastrointestinal cancer patients
title_sort application of alternative medicine in gastrointestinal cancer patients
topic neoplasms
gastrointestinal neoplasms
complementary therapies
url http://www.doiserbia.nb.rs/img/doi/0042-8450/2012/0042-84501211947N.pdf
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