Patients' perceptions of Complementary and Alternative Medicine in head and neck cancer: A qualitative, pilot study with clinical implications

PurposeTo describe head and neck cancer (HNC) patients' perceptions of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) and their attitudes towards a discussion regarding CAM.MethodsWe interviewed a convenience sample of HNC patients, using a structured interview tool.ResultsThe participants' perceptions of CAM can be grouped into three categories: positive; open-minded: needing more input; and negative. Almost all of the 14 participants (93%) report that they would be comfortable having a CAM discussion with their physician, although only 43% of the participants had such a conversation.ConclusionsParticipants' willingness to discuss CAM suggests that HNC patients might be open to learning about their options for participating in needed CAM-related research. The reported lack of CAM discussions, despite participants expressed comfort with them, and potential harms of interactions between CAM and conventional therapy, support our recommendation that physicians routinely initiate discussion with HNC patients regarding CAM usage.