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Attitudes and use of alternative therapies in UK prostate cancer patients—isn't it time we were in the know?

Prostate Cancer and Prostatic Diseases volume 4, pages 235–241 (2001)Cite this article

Abstract

With increasing media interest in prostate cancer and the availability of data to patients from support groups and the Internet, the knowledge and use of alternative therapies by patients is becoming more common. The purpose of our study was to quantify patient awareness and use of alternative therapies for the prevention and treatment of prostate cancer in the UK. In May 2000, we performed a survey of men attending our urology outpatient clinic for prostate cancer evaluation or follow-up. All men diagnosed with and those at high risk (abnormal prostate specific antigen) for prostate cancer were eligible for the study. Each eligible patient was then sent an anonymous 25-item questionnaire to explore their knowledge and use of various alternative therapies for prostate cancer. Out of 195 patients who were sent the questionnaire, 168 responded, for a response rate of 86%. One hundred and sixty-four were analysed. Eight-two out of 164 (50%) were aware of alternative therapies for prevention/treatment of prostate cancer, the most common were tomatoes/tomato-based products and low-fat diet. There were 27 (16.5%) respondents taking alternative therapies for their prostate. Private patients were more aware (60.4% private vs 46.2% NHS) of complimentary therapies and were more likely to take them (27.9% private vs 12.4% NHS) than National Health Service patients. The majority of patients (60%) had not informed their GP or urologist. Fifteen therapies and 12 medication sources were recorded. Asked if doctors should discuss non-prescribed therapies, even if there is no proven benefit, 62% said ‘yes’ while 29% said ‘no’. Alternative therapy use for prostate cancer is likely to increase. If we don't ask patients specifically whether they are taking them, patients are unlikely to tell us. Urologists and clinical oncologists treating men with prostate cancer need to be aware of alternative therapies and have some understanding of any benefit or harm, not only to be able to answer patient's questions and offer advice, but also to consider interactions with other treatments.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Urology, Churchill Hospital, Oxford, UK

    PJ Cheetham, KJ Le Monnier & SF Brewster

Authors
  1. PJ Cheetham
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  2. KJ Le Monnier
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  3. SF Brewster
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Appendix 1

Appendix 1

Questionnaire on patient awareness and use of alternative therapies for prevention or treatment of prostate cancer

Thank you for agreeing to complete this questionnaire. The information given will be processed in a confidential and anonymous fashion. Your comments are very much appreciated.

  1. 1

    What problem are you consulting a urologist about? (Circle one) A prostate cancer B abnormal PSA (prostate specific antigen blood test) C not sure why

  2. 2

    What is your age? (Circle one) A less than 40 B 41–50 C 51–60 D 61–70 E 71–80 F over 80

  3. 3

    What is your race? (Circle one) A White Caucasian B European C African - Caribbean D Asian E Far Eastern F Other, please specify ………

  4. 4

    What is your occupation? ………

  5. 5

    Do you have a higher degree? (Please circle) Yes/No

  6. 6

    Were you seen as an NHS or private patient? (Please circle) A NHS B Private

  7. 7

    Are you aware that there are alternative therapies that, according to some reports, are for prevention and treatment of prostate cancer? (Circle one) A Yes B No

  8. 8

    If you answered yes to Question 7, where did you learn about these alternative therapies? (Circle as many as appropriate) A newspaper B magazine C mens health magazine D the Internet E another person/friend/relative F GP G hospital doctor H other source—please specify ………

  9. 9

    Have you heard about the association of any of the following in the prevention of prostate cancer? (Circle as many as you know) A low-fat diet B vitamin D C vitamin E D tomatoes or tomato based foods E garlic F selenium G brazil nuts H plant extracts I meditation J acupuncture K soya products, eg tofu, or Prevacan biscuit bar L zinc M Saw Palmetto N PCSPES

  10. 10

    Have you ever been asked by a doctor in the urology clinic whether or not you take non-prescribed/alternative medication related for your prostate? A Yes B No

  11. 11

    Have you ever thought about taking non-prescribed/alternative medication for the prevention of prostate cancer? (Circle one) A Yes B No

  12. 12

    Have you ever taken any medication not prescribed by a doctor for your prostate? A If you answered ‘No’ to this question, please go straight to Question 23 B If you answered ‘Yes’ to this question, please continue with Question 13

  13. 13

    Please state below what non-prescribed/alternative medicines you are taking/have taken, for your prostate ……… ………

  14. 14

    Please state where you purchased your non-prescribed medication from A UK chemist B UK health food shop C supplied by post in response to UK newspaper/magazine advertisement D supplied by post in response to Internet advertisement E other, please specify ………

  15. 15

    How long did you take it for? A less than one month B 3–6 months C 6–12 months D 1–2 y E more than 2 y F other, please specify ………

  16. 16

    Did you tell your GP that you were taking non-prescribed/alternative medication? A Yes B No

  17. 17

    If you answered ‘No’ for Question 16, please indicate why you did not tell your GP? A GP did not ask B thought GP would not be interested C thought GP would not approve D other reason, please specify ………

  18. 18

    Did you tell the urology doctor that you were taking non-prescribed medication? A Yes B No

  19. 19

    If you answered ‘No’ to Question 18, please indicate why you did not tell your urology doctor. (Circle one) A Dr did not ask B thought Dr. would not be interested C thought Dr. would not approve D other reason, please specify ………

  20. 20

     If possible, please give an estimate of cost of your non-prescribed/alternative medication, per month (Circle one) A less than £5 B £5–10 C £10–15 D £15–20 E more than £20 F really don't know cost

  21. 21

    Did you try other medicines because you were dissatisfied with what doctors had prescribed? A Yes please specify reason why ……… B No

  22. 22

    Do you feel that you have had some benefit from your non-prescribed therapy? A Yes B No C Don't know

  23. 23

    What medication are you taking for your prostate? A None B Only medicine prescribed by a doctor C Only alternative non-prescribed therapies D Both B and C

  24. 24

    Has a doctor ever recommended non-prescription/alternative medicine to you for the prevention or treatment of prostate cancer? A Yes B No

  25. 25

    Do you think doctors should discuss non-prescribed ‘alternative’ medicines with patients, even if there is no proven benefit for their use in humans? A Yes

This is the end of the Questionnaire. Thank you again for your time.

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Cheetham, P., Le Monnier, K. & Brewster, S. Attitudes and use of alternative therapies in UK prostate cancer patients—isn't it time we were in the know?. Prostate Cancer Prostatic Dis 4, 235–241 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.pcan.4500536

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