Juul, Amalie

Background: Cancer continues to be the leading cause of death in Denmark as well as many other countries worldwide (Stadigt Færre Mister Livet, 2021). In 2020 362.715 people lived with or after cancer in Denmark (Kræft i Danmark, 2022). Some patients turn to complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) after receiving a diagnosis. However, prevalence rates found in studies in Scandinavia vary. This paper aims to investigate which patient characteristics are correlated to use of CAM and communication with healthcare professionals (HCP) about CAM and how these findings compare to existing literature. A gap was discovered in research about health literacy and CAM which is also investigated in this paper.Method: The data of this study is from the Danish Cancer Society’s National Cancer Patient Survey from 2017. The survey had 5389 respondents (response rate of 51,6%). Variables from the survey relating to CAM, HL and treatment were used in combination with demographic variables from national registers. All variables were analyzed using descriptive statistics and some were further analyzed by calculating odds ratios with a 95% CI using logistic regression models. Results: 1 in 5 newly diagnosed Danish cancer patients use CAM (21,93%). Women had an OR of 1,65 (95% CI: 1,33-2,02) for CAM use compared to men. Those aged 70-99 had an OR of 0,25 (95% CI: 0,19-0,32) for CAM use compared to those aged 30-49. Those with a medium long vocational education had an OR of 1,78 (95% CI: 1,42-2,24) compared to those with no education. Average number of CAM modalities used were 1,83 and the most commonly used CAM modalities were vitamins/minerals (n=455) and natural medicine and other dietary supplements (n=316). Most common reason for use was to increase the immune system/body’s ability to fight the cancer (n=487) and improve physical wellbeing (n=482). Adjusted ORs for HL and CAM use showed that only a few dimensions seem to be related to CAM use.10,02% of patients did not have their need for communication about CAM with HCP met. Lower HL scores in the dimensions engagement, navigation and finding information were associated with lower odds of having communication needs met (aORs between 0,34 and 0,62). Higher HL scores in the dimensions engagement, navigation and understanding information were associated with increased odds of having communication needs met (aORs between 1,87 and 2,65).Conclusion: Prevalence was found to be lower than in other Scandinavian studies. This may, however, be a result of different definitions of CAM. Predictors for use were being female, younger and having an education. Some dimensions of health literacy seem to have a relationship with CAM use. This must, however, be researched further. A clear tendency was found between lower HL scores and lower odds for having communication needs met as well as higher HL scores and higher odds for having communication needs met. This must also be researched further, especially how organizations and institutions may improve so patients with lower health literacy may also have their communication needs met.Background: Cancer continues to be the leading cause of death in Denmark as well as many other countries worldwide (Stadigt Færre Mister Livet, 2021). In 2020 362.715 people lived with or after cancer in Denmark (Kræft i Danmark, 2022). Some patients turn to complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) after receiving a diagnosis. However, prevalence rates found in studies in Scandinavia vary. This paper aims to investigate which patient characteristics are correlated to use of CAM and communication with healthcare professionals (HCP) about CAM and how these findings compare to existing literature. A gap was discovered in research about health literacy and CAM which is also investigated in this paper.Method: The data of this study is from the Danish Cancer Society’s National Cancer Patient Survey from 2017. The survey had 5389 respondents (response rate of 51,6%). Variables from the survey relating to CAM, HL and treatment were used in combination with demographic variables from national registers. All variables were analyzed using descriptive statistics and some were further analyzed by calculating odds ratios with a 95% CI using logistic regression models. Results: 1 in 5 newly diagnosed Danish cancer patients use CAM (21,93%). Women had an OR of 1,65 (95% CI: 1,33-2,02) for CAM use compared to men. Those aged 70-99 had an OR of 0,25 (95% CI: 0,19-0,32) for CAM use compared to those aged 30-49. Those with a medium long vocational education had an OR of 1,78 (95% CI: 1,42-2,24) compared to those with no education. Average number of CAM modalities used were 1,83 and the most commonly used CAM modalities were vitamins/minerals (n=455) and natural medicine and other dietary supplements (n=316). Most common reason for use was to increase the immune system/body’s ability to fight the cancer (n=487) and improve physical wellbeing (n=482). Adjusted ORs for HL and CAM use showed that only a few dimensions seem to be related to CAM use.10,02% of patients did not have their need for communication about CAM with HCP met. Lower HL scores in the dimensions engagement, navigation and finding information were associated with lower odds of having communication needs met (aORs between 0,34 and 0,62). Higher HL scores in the dimensions engagement, navigation and understanding information were associated with increased odds of having communication needs met (aORs between 1,87 and 2,65).Conclusion: Prevalence was found to be lower than in other Scandinavian studies. This may, however, be a result of different definitions of CAM. Predictors for use were being female, younger and having an education. Some dimensions of health literacy seem to have a relationship with CAM use. This must, however, be researched further. A clear tendency was found between lower HL scores and lower odds for having communication needs met as well as higher HL scores and higher odds for having communication needs met. This must also be researched further, especially how organizations and institutions may improve so patients with lower health literacy may also have their communication needs met

Roskilde Universitet

Alternative and complementary medicine use among Danish cancer patients: A cross-sectional study on patient characteristics, communication and health literacy

Alternative and complementary medicine use among Danish cancer patients: A cross-sectional study on patient characteristics, communication and health literacy

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Roskilde Universitet