Naturheilverfahren ergänzen schulmedizinische Krebsbehandlung : neue Fachrichtung Komplementäre Onkologie am Klinikum der Goethe-Universität

Als erstes Onkologisches Spitzenzentrum in Deutschland baut die Uniklinik der Goethe-Universität die Komplementäre Onkologie aus. Am Universitären Centrum für Tumorerkrankungen (UCT) werden naturheilkundliche Therapieformen ergänzend zur Schulmedizin angeboten

Survey on the Necessity, Sensibility, and Timing of Psycho-Oncological Counseling and the Willingness to Discuss Various Topics During the Inpatient Stay in the Case of Breast Cancer

After the diagnosis of cancer patients require a lot of information because the disease affects all aspects of life. Some important issues regarding optimal counseling remain to be determined. This includes the time-related relevance of various topics and questions regarding who and when to consult on the topics. We analyzed the answers of 155 women with non-metastatic breast cancer undergoing primary surgery, primary chemotherapy, and having completed adjuvant treatment regarding the above-mentioned issues. We found that counseling must consider the treatment situation. Breast cancer patients in the follow-up phase reported that they preferred being counseled by female consultants. Our results largely support a counseling concept which puts the breast care nurse at the center of interest rather than psychologists and social service workers. A breast care nurse centered counseling system for women with non-metastatic breast cancer appears to meet patients’ needs best

Komplementäre und alternative Methoden in der Palliativversorgung

Die Idee zu diesem Buch kam von Patienten. Immer wieder wird um Rat gesucht, wenn Unsicherheit und Verzweiflung größer werden. Das Gewirr der Möglichkeiten führt oft zum "Griff nach dem Strohhalm". Es gibt eine Unzahl von wissenschaftlichen und populären Informationen zur Komplementären und Alternativen Behandlung. In der Vielfalt liegt ein Risiko, erschlagen von der Informationsflut steht der Betroffene ratlos da und weiß nicht, was gut für ihn sein könnte. Die Herausgeber haben Experten und Praktiker gebeten, ihr Wissen und ihre Erfahrungen zusammen zu fassen und für Patienten und Angehörige wichtige Informationen zusammen zu stellen. Gleichzeitig sollte aber die Darstellung möglichst sachlich, kurz, gut verständlich und einigermaßen einheitlich sein. Wir hoffen, mit diesem Spagat unseren Lesern und dem Thema gerecht geworden zu sein

Attitude of cancer patients from online self-help groups towards physical activity

Purpose!#!Physical activity (PA) is important for cancer patients during and after therapy with respect to reducing side effects and improving quality of life. The aim of the study was to examine how physically active German cancer patients are and to identify predictors for PA. In addition, patients were asked about their attitude towards PA.!##!Methods!#!A questionnaire was passed on to members of self-help groups. Multiple regression analyses were run to examine possible predictors such as self-efficacy, patient activation, gender, previous PA, therapy status, and age for PA.!##!Results!#!62% of the participants followed the official recommendations by the American Cancer Society for weekly aerobic activity. Multiple regression analyses could confirm age as a predictor for total PA. Higher self-efficacy and patient activation were associated with lower disease burden and a more positive attitude towards PA.!##!Conclusion!#!This study contributes to the minor knowledge about PA among cancer patients. The examined group showed that there is potential for improvement regarding PA, although the majority had a positive attitude towards PA. Because of the small sample size existing of online self-help group members, results should be taken with caution

Traits of cancer patients and CAM usage

Background!#!The use of Complementary Alternative Medicine (CAM) Methods is increasing and therefore gaining importance also in conventional western medicine. Identifying personal traits to make out by whom and why CAM is used can help physicians in successful physician-patient interaction, and thus improve patient's compliance and trust towards their physician.!##!Patients and methods!#!A questionnaire was passed on to cancer patients in an ambulant clinical and a rehabilitation setting. Multiple regression analyses were run to examine possible predictors for CAM use, such as gender, age, level of education, spirituality, attentiveness, self-efficacy and resilience. To differentiate within CAM users, two dependent variables were created: 'holistic and mind-body methods', such as Yoga, meditation or Homeopathy and 'material based methods', such as food supplements or vitamins.!##!Results!#!Higher level of education, younger age and religion-independent attentiveness were significant predictors for the use of 'material based methods'. Female gender, higher education and religious spirituality were detected as significant predictors for 'holistic and mind-body methods'.!##!Conclusion!#!This study is among the first to take a more detailed look at how numerous personal traits are associated with the use of CAM methods and differentiate between the applied methods. Our finding should be considered by conventional health care providers and could be integrated into a holistic assessment, to offer information about complementary medicine and meeting patients' needs