Use of herbs or vitamin/mineral supplements by patients with cancer in Kayseri, Turkey

Inanc N., Sahin H., Cicek B., Tasci S.

CANCER NURSING, vol.29, no.1, pp.17-20, 2006 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 29 Issue: 1
  • Publication Date: 2006
  • Doi Number: 10.1097/00002820-200601000-00003
  • Journal Name: CANCER NURSING
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.17-20
  • Keywords: cancer, herbs, vitamin/mineral supplements, ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE, COMPLEMENTARY/ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE, UNITED-STATES, PREVALENCE, THERAPY
  • Erciyes University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

This cross-sectional study was performed to determine the consumption rate, duration, and methods of herb or vitamin/mineral use by patients with cancer and to evaluate the effects of alternative therapies in Kayseri, Turkey. A face-to-face interviews was conducted with 203 patients. Results showed that 32% and 18.2% of the patients used herbs or vitamin/mineral supplements, respectively. Nettle was the most commonly used herb, and iron and vitamin C were the most commonly used supplements. There was a significant difference between herb or vitamin/mineral users and nonusers with regard to educational levels. In conclusion, patients with cancer highly tended to use herb or vitamin/mineral supplements.