The use of traditional, complementary and integrative medicine in Chinese adolescent and young adult patients with cancer: A multicenter cross-sectional study

• Published in: European journal of oncology nursing : the official journal of European Oncology Nursing Society 2023-10, Vol.66, p.102377-102377, Article 102377
• Main Authors: Lam, Chun Sing, Ma, Chung Tin, Li, Michael Can Heng, Wong, Cho Lee, Loong, Herbert Ho-Fung, Leung, Alex Wing Kwan, Li, Chi Kong, Koon, Ho Kee, Cheung, Yin Ting
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent and young adult; Cancer; Chinese; Complementary medicine; Integrative medicine; Traditional medicine
• ISSN: 1462-3889; 1532-2122
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ejon.2023.102377

Adolescent and young adult (AYA) patients with cancer often experience unique physical and psychosocial complications. They may turn to traditional, complementary and integrative medicines (TCIM) to address these concerns. To examine the pattern of TCIM use among AYA patients with cancer and explored their preferences regarding TCIM education. Between August 2021 and December 2022, 246 patients diagnosed with cancer between 15 and 39 years old were recruited from hospitals in Hong Kong. They completed a structured questionnaire on TCIM use, symptom burden, psychological status and preference on education content. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify predictors of TCIM use, adjusting for age and sex. Overall, 60.2% reported TCIM use, most commonly vitamins (24.0%) and Chinese herbal medicine (22.0%). The most common reasons for using TCIM were to improve general health (70.9%) and manage chronic symptoms (33.1%). Among patients on active treatment, TCIM users tend to report higher anxiety symptoms (aOR = 1.13, 95% CI = 1.02–1.27). TCIM users who were post-treatment were more likely to have chronic comorbidities (aOR = 3.54, 95% CI = 1.29–11.5). AYA patients indicated that they would like TCIM information to address specific needs, particularly fatigue (53.7%) and psychological problems (54.1%). The use of TCIM is common among AYA patients with cancer, especially among patients with high symptom burdens. A tailored education programme should be provided based on patients’ preferences and needs. Healthcare professionals including oncologists and oncology nurses should communicate with AYA patients about TCIM use and address their needs by making evidence-based referrals/recommendations based on treatment status and symptom burden. •There is growing interest in the use of TCIM among AYA patients with cancer.•Two-thirds of AYA cancer patients reported TCIM use, especially vitamins and Chinese herbs.•Among patients on active treatment, TCIM users tend to report higher anxiety symptoms.•TCIM users who were post-treatment were more likely to have chronic comorbidities.•AYA patients would like TCIM information to address fatigue and psychological problems.