Use of traditional and complementary medicine by cancer patients seen at the Senkatana oncology clinic, Maseru, Lesotho

Abstract

Abstract Background The use of traditional and complementary medicine by cancer patients remains common in several countries especially in the Sub-Saharan Africa. However, the reasons for use are complex and change with time and space, they may vary from therapy to therapy, and they are different from one individual to another. The use of TCM has been associated with active coping behaviour and a way through which patients take control of their own health. However, cancer patients do not disclose their use of TCM to the attending healthcare professionals and therefore the effects of these medicines on the patients may not be ascertained. Methods A cross-sectional, quantitative study was conducted at Senkatana Oncology clinic in May to June 2023. Cancer patients were interviewed using structured questionnaires about their use of TCM. A structured questionnaire administered was adopted from the validated questionnaire used in another African country; Nigeria. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the data. Results All interviewed patients (n = 50, 100%) reported to be using TCM. Respondents consisted of 24 females (48%) and 26 males (52%) in the age range 14 to 82 years old. The majority of the study population was in the age group 35–44 years old. The most prevalent cancer among participating males was prostate cancer and among females was cervical cancer. Breast cancer prevalence was the same among interviewed males and females. Biological products use was the most prominent with the highest average percentage usage (14.7%). Among these products herbal drugs and special diet/ nutritional therapies & supplements both consisted of 42% usage among study participants. The majority of patients (66%, n = 33) indicated that they just wanted to try everything that could help. Patients (n = 47, 94%) further reported that they had been using complementary medicine during the same period as they were using conventional treatment so that both may work to help each other. Conclusions It is concluded that all interviewed cancer patients use TCM. Patients indicated that one of the reasons for using TCM was that they wanted to try everything that could help in their cancer care. Patients did not inform their oncologist of their concurrent use of TCM because they had been advised not to use other medicines besides what they are given at the clinic.