The Use Of Complementary Medicines Among Cancer Patients In France The Increasing Role Of Asian Medicines

Résumé En

CAM encompasses approaches, practices and health products that are not usually considered to be part of conventional medicine. They are called complementary when they are used to supplement conventional medicine, or alternative when they are used instead of conventional medicine.The World Health Organisation lists 400 such therapies. CAM favour an approach that is as natural as possible, holistic, personalised and respectful of the body. They allow patients to have more control over their treatment, to do their part and to regain power over their care.Cancer patients turn to CAM to alleviate the side-effects of biomedical treatment, boost their immune defences, cope better with chemotherapy and improve their physical and emotional well-being. The attitude of listening, the long consultation time and the impression that the problem is being taken care of as a whole are very important factors in legitimising the use of MACs.In France, studies have shown that 37% to 87% of cancer patients use CAM. Cancer is also a trigger for taking CAM. The type of cancer can influence the use of CAM. Patients with breast cancer were more likely to use CAM than those with other cancers. However, patients with pancreatic, liver, bone or brain cancer were significantly more likely to use CAM. These 4 cancers are characterised by a poor prognosis and rapid physical decline, and patients sometimes have little hope of conventional chemotherapy treatment.Cancer patients have no hesitation in asserting that some CAM are complete systems that treat cancer patients as whole human beings and not just as passive patients.In France, this approach is becoming increasingly popular: acupuncture, osteopathy, chiropractic and homeopathy are even being legalised. Asian medicines are beginning to play an increasingly important role in holistic systems. Our presentation will set out the latest figures.