Abstract P6-05-23: Lifestyle interventions and complementary care use among oncology patients: a survey in a large teaching hospital population
Authors: Honkoop Aafke , Bakker Janita , Noorda Eva 
Published: March 2023

Introduction After a cancer diagnosis and treatment patients often experience chronic symptoms such as fatigue, mental problems, decreased quality of life, sexual problems, hot flashes, nausea and postoperative pain. The unmet needs of patients managing these symptoms, improve the demand for Integrative Medicine (IM), which is lifestyle and evidence based complementary care. The prevalence of IM use varies in the Netherlands, according to published data. Aim The first aim of the study was to evaluate the prevalence and associates of the use of IM by patients after a cancer diagnosis. The second aim was to gain insight into the need for guidance of cancer patients in a large Dutch teaching hospital. Methods A cross-sectional design with data collected through a structured, self-reporting questionnaire. This was created by combining a validated questionnaire to evaluate IM use in the Netherlands and a questionnaire on IM use developed by The Dutch Breast Cancer Association. Cancer patients diagnosed with breast cancer, colon cancer, prostate cancer or testicular cancer were invited to fill out the questionnaire. They were all and treated in the period of 2018-2019. Patients were included one to three years after completing treatment. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis were used to analyze the results. Results 1850 patients received the questionnaire and 1028 patients responded to the survey (56%). 29.4% used complementary care such as self-care products (8.3%), physician-assisted self-care (9%) or self-help techniques (10.5%). 40.3% made one or more lifestyle changes during or after cancer treatment regarding food (33.8%), exercise (56.1%), relaxation (40.9%), social factors (35.6%), life purpose (23.7%) and sleep (37.8%). Associates of complementary care use were breast cancer, gender (women) and age. The information about IM was mostly obtained by patients through the hospital or internet. Patients reported a preferred way to receive information by treating physician (53.9%), specialized nurse (59.2%), primary care physician (25.1%) or hospital brochure (26.3%). 82.3% of the patients, including patients who did not use IM at all, placed great value on receiving reliable information from their doctors or nurses about IM. Conclusion Up to two thirds of the oncology patients are using a form of IM. Internet is one of the most important information source. For safety reasons and to meet the demand of most oncology patients for reliable information, it’s important to provide all oncology patients with evidence-based information regarding lifestyle and evidence based complementary care. The majority of patients place great value on receiving this information from their doctor of nurse.

Citation Format: Aafke Honkoop, Janita Bakker, Eva Noorda. Lifestyle interventions and complementary care use among oncology patients: a survey in a large teaching hospital population [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2022 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2022 Dec 6-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(5 Suppl):Abstract nr P6-05-23.