Final results from CAMEO-PRO study: complementary and alternative medicine in oncology. physicians inform oncological patients

Background: The role of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) in oncology is heavily debated. It is estimated that about half of cancer patients use at least one form of CAM in their life but there is a strong unwillingness of patients in talking about CAM with their oncologist. Primary aim of this study was to inform patients about CAM, focusing on their supposed benefits, toxicities and interactions with conventional therapeutic agents. The study also explored patient’s perception about CAM and ascertained the level of CAM its use among cancer patients of an Italian academic hospital. Methods: From April 2016 to April 2017, the observational pilot trial “CAMEO-PRO” prospectively enrolled 239 cancer patients that were invited to attend a tutorial about CAM at the Department of oncology, University Hospital of Udine, Italy. Before and after the informative session, patients were asked to fill a questionnaire reporting their knowledge and opinion about CAM. Results: Overall, 163 (70%) women and 70 (30%) men were enrolled. Median age was 61 years. At study entry, 168 (72%) patients declared they had never been interested to this topic previously; 24 patients (11%) revealed the use of a type of alternative therapy and 58 (28%) revealed the use of complementary therapy. In total, 139 (55.2%) patients attended the informative session. Table 1 shows the percentage of response and the opinion’s change about CAM before and after the tutorial. All patients that participate to the session reported that the session was moderately (16%) or very (83%) helpful.Table: T6Strongly disagree %Slightly agree %Moderately agree %Strongly agree %PbeforeafterbeforeafterbeforeafterbeforeafterI clearly know the difference between alternative and complementary medicine24.15.327.64.433.925.814.264.2<.0001Alternative medicine is a valid alternative to conventional medicine34.567.241.626.520.355.33.50.9<.0001Even if alternative medicine does not work, it does not do damage25.963.335.725.929.48.08.92.7<.0001Alternative medicine can be dangerous10.23.417.65.651.825.620.465.7<.0001Use of alternative medicine can hinder a correct therapeutic path10.61.825.74.438.936.324.857.5<.0001I would do or I do use CAM28.852.927.919.228.818.314.49.62.003 Open table in a new tab Conclusions: Informative sessions seem to have an impact on patients’ perceptions and opinions about CAM.