%0 Journal Article %T Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use among Cancer Patients at the End of Life: Korean National Study %J Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention %I West Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention (WAOCP), APOCP's West Asia Chapter. %Z 1513-7368 %D 2012 %\ 04/01/2012 %V 13 %N 4 %P 1419-1424 %! Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use among Cancer Patients at the End of Life: Korean National Study %K complementary and alternative medicine %K end of life %K Korean cancer patients %R %X Objectives: To investigate in depth the use of complementary and alternative medicines (CAMs) bycancer patients at the end-of-life (EOL) and how they communicate with physicians about them. Designand location: In 17 hospitals in Korea between January and December 2004 we identified 4,042 familiesof cancer patients. Results: The prevalence of CAM use among cancer patients at the EOL was 37.0%,and 93.1% had used pharmacologic types of agents. The most frequent motive for CAM use was therecommendation of friends or a close relative (53.4%) or a physician (1.6%). Only 42.5% discussed CAMuse with their physicians. Satisfaction with CAMS was recalled for 37.1% . The most common reason givenfor that satisfaction was improvement of emotional or physical well-being, while ineffectiveness was themost common reason given for dissatisfaction. The average cost of CAM during the last month of life was$US 900. CAM use was associated with longer disease periods, primary cancers other than liver, biliary,and pancreatic, and need of support from physicians or religion. Conclusions: CAM use among cancerpatients at the EOL was common, not discussed with physicians, and associated with expectation of cure.Expectations were generally unmet while the treatments were a financial burden. Further studies evaluatingthe effects of CAM at the EOL and factors that enhance communication with the physician are needed. %U https://journal.waocp.org/article_26350_16875bda247fc44524e60d20675ced65.pdf