Use of Alternative and Complementary Medicines by Cancer Patients at the Yaoundé General Hospital, Cameroon
Utilisation des Médecines Alternatives et Complémentaires par les Patients Cancéreux à l'Hôpital Général de Yaoundé, Cameroun
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/hra.v3i3.6476Keywords:
alternative and complementary medicine, breast cancer, CA 15-3, Yaoundé General Hospital, OncologyAbstract
ABSTRACT
Introduction. In Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), breast cancer has a prevalence of 54.5% and patients face difficulties in accessing healthcare facilities and medications. This study evaluated the prevalence, types, factors associated with complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use among breast cancer patients. Materials and methods. This prospective cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in the Oncology department of the Yaoundé General Hospital. A semi-structured survey was administered to breast cancer patients to collect sociodemographic, clinical, and therapeutic information, along with data on CAM use. Recent CA 15-3 data were extracted from patients' medical records and compared with measurements obtained during the study. Results. One hundred and forty-eight patients were recruited, with an average age of 47.7 ± 10.73 years; the age range of 44 to 54 years (35.81%) was the most represented. Invasive ductal carcinoma (62.16%) was the predominant histological type, chemotherapy was the most common treatment (58.09%), and adverse effects were reported by 68.91% (102/148) of participants. The prevalence of CAM use was 61.48% (91/148), represented by medicinal plants such as Hibiscus sabdariffa (12.03%), Annona muricata (9.77%), and Gnetum africanum (9.4%). CAM use was correlated with professional status (p=0.04), chemotherapy (p=0.03), and the occurrence of adverse effects (p=0.0002). A non-significant decrease of CA 15-3 level was observed. Conclusion. More than half of the participants used CAM, primarily based on medicinal plants. The combination of CAM and conventional medicine could improve the quality of life for patients with breast cancer.
RÉSUMÉ
Introduction. En Afrique sub-saharienne la prévalence du cancer du sein est de 54,5%, et les patientes ont des difficultés à accéder aux soins de santé. Ce travail a évalué la prévalence, les types, les facteurs associés à l’utilisation des médecines alternatives et complémentaires (MAC). Méthodes. Cette étude descriptive transversale prospective a été menée au service d’Oncologie de l’Hôpital Général de Yaoundé. Elle a concerné les patientes atteintes du cancer du sein dont les informations sociodémographiques, cliniques, thérapeutiques et celles liées à l’utilisation de la MAC ont été collectées. Les données récentes du CA 15-3 des participantes ont été extraites des dossiers médicaux, et mesurées expérimentalement pendant l’étude. Résultats. Cent quarante-huit patientes ont été recrutées dont l’âge moyen était de 47,7 ± 10,73 ans, l’intervalle de 44 à 54 (35,81%) était le plus représenté. Le carcinome canalaire infiltrant (62,16%) était le type histologique majoritaire, la chimiothérapie le traitement le plus utilisé (58,09%) et les effets indésirables ont concerné 68,91% (102/148) participantes. La prévalence d’utilisation de la MAC était de 61,48% (91/148) avec Hibiscus sabdariffa (12,03%), Annona muricata (9,77%) et Gnetum africanum (9,4%). L’utilisation de la MAC était corrélée au statut professionnel (p=0.04), à la chimiothérapie (p=0.03) et la survenue d’effets indésirables (p=0.0002). Une diminution non-significative du CA 15-3 a été observée. Conclusion. Plus de la moitié des patientes utilisent la MAC à l’Hôpital Général de Yaoundé, principalement à base de plantes médicinales. L’association de la MAC et la médecine conventionnelle est une piste à explorer pouvant améliorer la qualité de vie des patientes.
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