A significant number of older Americans with cancer are flocking to alternative treatments, new research shows. According to a comprehensive review of medications taken by senior
oncology patients, as many as 26 percent are using alternative or
complementary therapies.
The study, published in the Journal of Geriatric Oncology, also
indicates in many cases patients aren’t telling their doctors about the
non-conventional medicines they may be taking, in part because
mainstream physicians tend to take a dim view of such therapies.
That can cause problems because some alternative treatments contain
active ingredients that can react chemically and biologically with other
therapies. "Currently, few oncologists are aware of the alternative medicines their
patients take," said Ginah Nightingale, an assistant professor with the
Jefferson College of Pharmacy at Thomas Jefferson University. "Patients often fail to disclose the [alternative medicines] they take
because they think they are safe, natural, nontoxic, and not relevant to
their cancer care, because they think their doctor will disapprove, or
because the doctor doesn't specifically ask."
The researchers said it’s critical for patients to detail their
treatments to their doctors, and for physicians to be aware so many of
their patients are using them.
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