Homeopathy 2021; 110(03): 168-173
DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-1721065
Original Research Article

Use of Homeopathy in Integrative Oncology in Strasbourg, France: Multi-center Cross-Sectional Descriptive Study of Patients Undergoing Cancer Treatment

1   Saint-Vincent Hospital Group, Strasbourg, France
,
Adeline Legrand
2   Cabinet of General Medicine, Strasbourg, France
,
Ingrid Theunissen
3   Hôpital Delta, Chirec, Brussels, Belgium
› Author Affiliations
Funding None.

Abstract

Context The use of homeopathy in oncological supportive care seems to be progressing. The first French prevalence study, performed in 2005 in Strasbourg, showed that only 17% of the subjects were using it. What is the situation 12 years later?

Materials and Methods This is a descriptive study, using a questionnaire identical to that used in 2005, on 633 patients undergoing treatment in three anti-cancer centers in Strasbourg. The results of the “homeopathy” sub-group were extracted and studied.

Results Of the 535 patients included, 164 used homeopathy: that is 30.7%. The main purpose of its use was to reduce the side effects of cancer treatments (75%). Among the users, 82.6% were “somewhat” or “very” satisfied, against “quite” satisfied for 15.5%, and “not at all” satisfied for 1.9%. The homeopathic treatment was prescribed by a doctor in 75.6% of the cases; the general practitioner was kept informed in 87% of the cases and the oncologist in 82%. Fatigue, pain, nausea, anxiety, sadness and diarrhea were improved in 80% of the cases. However, alopecia, weight disorders and loss of libido were the least improved symptoms. The use of homeopathy was significantly associated with the female sex.

Conclusion With a prevalence of 30.7%, homeopathy is the most used complementary medicine in integrative oncology in Strasbourg. Over 12 years, we have witnessed an increase of 83% in its use in the same city. Almost all respondents declare themselves satisfied and tell their doctors more readily than in 2005.

Highlights

• With 30.7% of all respondents, homeopathy was the most used CIM in oncological supportive care.


• With an increase of 83% in 12 years, in the same town, the progression of the use of homeopathy in supportive cancer care is confirmed.


• A 97% satisfaction rate supports the figures found in other studies.


• Increasingly, the patients inform the doctor and oncologist of their using homeopathy treatment (87 and 82%, respectively).


• Fatigue, the most frequently mentioned (80%), was considered as the symptom most often improved by homeopathic supportive care treatment.


Note

The authors have full control of all primary data and agree to allow the journal to review these data if requested.


Supplementary Material



Publication History

Received: 24 May 2020

Accepted: 10 September 2020

Article published online:
04 March 2021

© 2021. Faculty of Homeopathy. This article is published by Thieme.

Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Rüdigerstraße 14, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany

 
  • References

  • 1 Frenkel M. Is there a role for homeopathy in cancer care? Questions and challenges. Curr Oncol Rep 2015; 17: 43
  • 2 Simon L, Prebay D, Beretz A. et al. [Complementary and alternative medicines taken by cancer patients]. Bull Cancer 2007; 94: 483-488
  • 3 Träger-Maury S, Tournigand C, Maindrault-Goebel F. et al. Utilisation de médecine complémentaire chez les patients atteints de cancer dans un service de cancérologie français. Bull Cancer 2007; 94: 1017-1025
  • 4 Rodrigues M. Utilisation des médecines alternatives et complémentaires par les patients en cancérologie: résultats de l'étude Mac-Aerio Eurocancer 2010. Paris: John Libbey Eurotext; 2010: 95-96
  • 5 Barthélémy L, Game Changers IPSOS. L'homéopathie plébiscitée par les français. Accessed March 26, 2019 at: https://www.ipsos.com/fr-fr/lhomeopathie-plebiscitee-par-les-francais
  • 6 Legrand A. Etude de la prévalence de l'utilisation des médecines complémentaires par les patients atteints de cancer. A partir de 535 questionnaires recueillis d'avril à juin 2017 à Strasbourg [Thèse de doctorat de médecine]. Strasbourg: Université de Strasbourg, Faculté de Médecine; 2018: 10
  • 7 Yde C, Viksveen P, Duckworth J. Reasons for use of and experiences with homeopathic treatment as an adjunct to usual cancer care: results of a small qualitative study. Homeopathy 2019; 108: 24-32
  • 8 SHISSO International homeopathic society of supportive care in oncology. Accessed May 24, 2020 at: https://www.shisso-info.com/en/
  • 9 Rossi E, Vita A, Baccetti S, Di Stefano M, Voller F, Zanobini A. Complementary and alternative medicine for cancer patients: results of the EPAAC survey on integrative oncology centres in Europe. Support Care Cancer 2015; 23: 1795-1806
  • 10 Rossi E, Di Stefano M, Picchi M. et al. Integration of homeopathy and complementary medicine in the Tuscan public health system and the experience of the homeopathic clinic of the Lucca Hospital. Homeopathy 2018; 107: 90-98
  • 11 Klein E, Beckmann MW, Bader W. et al. Gynecologic oncologists' attitudes and practices relating to integrative medicine: results of a nationwide AGO survey. Arch Gynecol Obstet 2017; 296: 295-301
  • 12 Muecke R, Paul M, Conrad C. et al; PRIO (Working Group Prevention and Integrative Oncology of the German Cancer Society). Complementary and alternative medicine in palliative care: a comparison of data from surveys among patients and professionals. Integr Cancer Ther 2016; 15: 10-16
  • 13 Bagot JL, Karp JC, Messerschmitt C. et al. Therapeutic recommendations of the International Homeopathic Society of Supportive Care in Oncology “(IHSSCO). La Revue d'Homéopathie 2017; 8: e47-e55
  • 14 Frass M, Friehs H, Thallinger C. et al. Influence of adjunctive classical homeopathy on global health status and subjective wellbeing in cancer patients—a pragmatic randomized controlled trial. Complement Ther Med 2015; 23: 309-317
  • 15 Ferreri R, Bernardini S, Cracolici F, Bechini F. Integrated oncology in an integrated medicine hospital in Pitigliano (Grosseto, Italy). OBM Integr Complementary Med 2019; 4: 18
  • 16 Bagot JL. Homeopathy: a complementary and interstitial medicine in severe pathologies. La Revue d'Homéopathie 2016; 7: e7-e11
  • 17 Kassab S, Cummings M, Berkovitz S, van Haselen R, Fisher P. Homeopathic medicines for adverse effects of cancer treatments. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2009; CD004845
  • 18 Dantas F, Rampes H. Do homeopathic medicines provoke adverse effects? A systematic review. Br Homeopath J 2000; 89: S35-S38
  • 19 Rossi EG, Bellandi T, Picchi M. et al. Patient safety in complementary medicine through the application of clinical risk management in the public health system. Medicines (Basel) 2017; 4: 93
  • 20 Sanford NN, Sher DJ, Ahn C, Aizer AA, Mahal BA. Prevalence and nondisclosure of complementary and alternative medicine use in patients with cancer and cancer survivors in the United States. JAMA Oncol 2019; 5: 735-737