Many children with cancer use alternative medicine in their treatment, according to a recent research review.
For the review, investigators looked at 28 studies with a total of 3,526 participants (all of whom were children). In 20 of those studies, the researchers found that prevalence of complementary/alternative medicine use ranged anywhere from 6 to 91 percent.
Herbal remedies were found to be the most popular modality in the reviewed studies, followed by therapeutic nutrition and faith-healing. Commonly reported reasons for alternative medicine use included the relief of symptoms, as well as support of ongoing use of conventional cancer treatment (such as chemotherapy).
Given the widespread use of complementary and alternative medicine among pediatric cancer patients, the study's authors urge pediatricians to foster open communication with patients and their parents.
Past research suggests that certain types of alternative medicine may be of some benefit to children with cancer. For instance, in a report published last fall, researchers found that the herb milk thistle may help fight liver inflammation in pediatric cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.
