Use of Traditional and Complementary Medicines by Cancer Patients at a National Cancer Referral Facility in a Low‐Income Country

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to describe use of traditional and complementary medicines (T&CM) and associated factors among patients with cancer. Methods: We conducted a cross‐sectional study at the Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI) involving patients with selected solid tumours. Independent variables included age, sex, marital status, cancer site and stage. Main outcome variables were use and disclosure of use of T&CM. Results: The majority of participants were women (n = 352; 81.9%). Breast cancer (n = 312; 71.9%) was the predominant cancer type. 55.4% of participants (n = 240) self‐reported use of T&CM. Among them, 68.3% (140/205) reported using them to treat/cure cancer, 35.6% (72/202) for strengthening the immune system and 31.2% (63/202) for management of pain. Patients with advanced stage cancers were more likely to be users compared with those in stage one. The majority (81.9%, 195/238) of T&CM users did not disclose use to their healthcare professionals. The main reasons for nondisclosure included lack of inquiry by clinicians (79.6%, 117/147) and fear of disapproval and/or rebuke (11.6%, 17/147). Conclusion: Use of T&CM by patients with cancer under biomedical care is common but often undisclosed to the healthcare professionals.