Researchers in South Korea surveyed 420 older cancer patients to learn about their use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM)—treatments used alongside or instead of standard medical care. They found that 6 out of 10 patients used some form of CAM, with walking and special diets being the most popular choices. Most people tried these approaches hoping to boost their immune system, and they usually learned about them from family members. The study shows that married men, those with prostate cancer, and patients who had surgery were more likely to use CAM. Doctors caring for cancer survivors should talk with patients about these treatments to make sure they’re safe and helpful.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: How many older cancer patients in South Korea use alternative or complementary treatments, what types they use, why they use them, and which patients are most likely to try them.
  • Who participated: 420 cancer patients aged 65 and older who were visiting cancer clinics at a large hospital in Seoul, South Korea. These were people who had already been diagnosed with cancer and were receiving ongoing care.
  • Key finding: About 60% of older cancer patients used some form of complementary or alternative medicine. The most common approaches were exercise like fast walking (used by about half the patients) and dietary changes (used by about 43%). Most people tried these treatments because they wanted to strengthen their immune system.
  • What it means for you: If you’re an older cancer patient or know someone who is, it’s helpful to know that many people try additional treatments beyond standard medical care. However, it’s important to talk with your doctor about any treatments you’re considering to make sure they won’t interfere with your cancer care or medications. This research suggests doctors should routinely ask patients about these practices.

The Research Details

Researchers conducted a ‘snapshot’ study, meaning they surveyed a group of people at one point in time rather than following them over months or years. They asked 420 older cancer patients at a hospital in Seoul to fill out detailed questionnaires about whether they used complementary or alternative treatments, what types they used, why they chose them, and where they learned about them. The researchers then used statistical methods to figure out which types of patients were most likely to use these treatments by comparing factors like age, marital status, cancer type, and whether they had surgery.

This type of study is useful for understanding how common something is in a population and identifying patterns, but it can’t prove that one thing causes another. It’s like taking a photograph of a moment in time rather than making a movie that shows how things change.

Understanding how many cancer patients use alternative treatments and why they choose them helps doctors provide better care. If doctors know their patients are using these approaches, they can discuss whether they’re safe, whether they might interfere with cancer treatment, and how to combine them safely with standard medical care. This is especially important for older patients who may be taking multiple medications.

This study has some strengths: it surveyed a reasonable number of people (420), used structured questionnaires to collect consistent information, and used appropriate statistical methods to analyze the data. However, there are limitations to consider: the study only included patients from one hospital in Seoul, so the results may not represent all older cancer patients in Korea or other countries. The study was published on a preprint server (Research Square) rather than in a peer-reviewed journal, meaning it hasn’t gone through the full review process that published studies undergo. Additionally, the study relied on patients’ memories and self-reporting, which can sometimes be inaccurate.

What the Results Show

The study found that 60% of the 420 older cancer patients surveyed reported using some form of complementary or alternative medicine. This is a notably high percentage, suggesting that alternative treatments are quite common among this population.

The most frequently used treatments were simple and accessible: fast walking or other exercise was used by 49.4% of patients (nearly half), and dietary interventions like special foods or supplements were used by 42.9%. These were far more common than other approaches like herbal medicine, acupuncture, or meditation.

When asked why they used these treatments, the most common reason was to boost their immune system (61.6% of CAM users). Other reasons included managing side effects, improving overall health, and treating specific symptoms. Interestingly, family members and relatives were the main source of information about these treatments (42.1%), rather than doctors or medical professionals.

The study identified three groups of patients most likely to use CAM: married patients (2.5 times more likely than unmarried patients), those with prostate cancer (2.1 times more likely than other cancer types), and patients who had undergone surgery (1.6 times more likely than those who hadn’t had surgery).

The research also noted that patients learned about CAM treatments primarily through informal channels—family members and relatives were the main source of information. This suggests that personal recommendations within families play a significant role in whether older cancer patients try these approaches. The study didn’t find strong associations with other factors like age, gender, or education level, though married status was a notable predictor.

Previous research in other countries has shown that CAM use among cancer patients ranges from 30% to 80%, depending on the country and population studied. The 60% rate found in this Korean study falls in the middle of that range, suggesting that alternative medicine use among older cancer patients is a global phenomenon, not unique to Korea. However, the specific types of CAM used vary by culture—this study found that exercise and diet were most popular, which differs from some Western countries where herbal supplements are more common.

Several important limitations should be considered when interpreting these results. First, the study only included patients from one hospital in Seoul, so the findings may not represent all older cancer patients in Korea or other regions. Second, the study was cross-sectional, meaning it captured a single moment in time and cannot show whether CAM use changed over time or what effects it had on health outcomes. Third, the study relied on patients’ self-reporting through questionnaires, which means some patients might have forgotten about treatments they used or been reluctant to mention them. Fourth, the study didn’t collect detailed information about the quality, safety, or effectiveness of the CAM treatments used. Finally, the study hasn’t been peer-reviewed yet, as it was published on a preprint server rather than in a traditional medical journal.

The Bottom Line

Based on this research, here are evidence-based recommendations: (1) If you’re an older cancer patient, talk openly with your doctor about any complementary or alternative treatments you’re using or considering—this is important to ensure they won’t interfere with your cancer care. (2) Exercise like walking and healthy dietary changes appear to be safe and commonly used approaches, but discuss them with your medical team first. (3) Be cautious about treatments recommended primarily by family members without medical evidence—while family support is valuable, medical professionals should evaluate safety and effectiveness. (4) Doctors should routinely ask patients about CAM use during cancer survivorship care. Confidence level: Moderate—this is based on observational data showing what patients do, not proof that these treatments are beneficial.

This research is most relevant to: older cancer patients (65+) and their families, cancer doctors and oncology nurses, and healthcare providers caring for cancer survivors. It’s particularly relevant for married men and those with prostate cancer, who the study found were more likely to use CAM. However, the findings may not apply equally to younger cancer patients, those in different countries or healthcare systems, or people with other types of cancer. People considering CAM should not use this study as proof that these treatments work—it only shows how common they are.

The study doesn’t provide information about how long it takes to see benefits from CAM use. For exercise and diet changes, research generally suggests that health improvements may take weeks to months to become noticeable. However, this study didn’t measure actual health outcomes, so we don’t know if the CAM treatments patients used actually improved their health, quality of life, or cancer outcomes. More research is needed to answer these important questions.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track weekly exercise minutes (target: 150 minutes of moderate activity like brisk walking) and log any dietary changes or supplements being used, noting the reason for each and any effects noticed. This creates a clear record to discuss with your doctor.
  • Start with one simple, safe change like adding a 20-30 minute walk three times per week, or making one dietary modification (like adding more vegetables). Document this in the app and discuss it with your oncology team before starting. Gradually add other changes only after getting medical approval.
  • Use the app to maintain a long-term log of CAM use, including what was tried, when, why, and any effects on energy, symptoms, or side effects. Review this log with your doctor at each visit to ensure all treatments are safe and working together effectively with your cancer care plan.

This research describes what older cancer patients in one Korean hospital reported using, but it does not prove that complementary or alternative treatments are safe or effective for cancer care. Before starting any new treatment, supplement, or significant dietary change, you must discuss it with your oncologist or cancer care team. Some CAM treatments can interfere with cancer medications or standard treatments. This information is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. If you have cancer or are a cancer survivor, work with your healthcare team to make informed decisions about all aspects of your care.