Traditional and Complementary Medicine Use Among Indigenous Cancer Patients in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United States: A Systematic Review

Alana Gall; Stuart Leske; Jon Adams; Veronica Matthews; Kate Anderson; Sheleigh Lawler; Gail Garvey

doi:10.1177/1534735418775821

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Traditional and Complementary Medicine Use Among Indigenous Cancer Patients in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United States: A Systematic Review

Journal article

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Traditional and Complementary Medicine Use Among Indigenous Cancer Patients in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United States: A Systematic Review

Alana Gall, Stuart Leske, Jon Adams, Veronica Matthews, Kate Anderson, Sheleigh Lawler and Gail Garvey

Integrative cancer therapies, Vol.17(3), pp.568-581

09/2018

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1534735418775821

PMID: 29779402

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Abstract

Integrative & Complementary Medicine

Life Sciences & Biomedicine

Oncology

Science & Technology

Traditional medicine

complementary therapies

cancer

neoplasms

cancer care facilities

Indigenous population

Oceanic Ancestry Group

American Native Continental Ancestry Group

Background: Cancer ‘patients’ are increasingly using traditional indigenous and complementary medicines (T&CM) alongside conventional medical treatments to both cure and cope with their cancer diagnoses. To date T&CM use among Indigenous cancer patients from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United States has not been systematically reviewed. Methods: We systematically searched bibliographic databases to identify original research published between January 2000 and October 2017 regarding T&CM use by Indigenous cancer patients in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United States. Data from records meeting eligibility criteria were extracted and appraised for quality by 2 independent reviewers. Results: Twenty-one journal articles from 18 studies across all 4 countries met our inclusion criteria. T&CM use ranged from 19% to 57.7% (differing across countries). T&CM was mostly used concurrently with conventional cancer treatments to meet their spiritual, emotional, social, and cultural needs; however, bush, traditional, and herbal medicines were used in a minority of cases as an alternative. Conclusions: Our findings highlight the importance of T&CM use to Indigenous cancer patients across these 4 countries; we identified multiple perceived spiritual, emotional and cultural benefits to its use. The patient’s perception of their health professional’s attitudes toward T&CM in some cases hindered or encouraged the patient’s disclosure. Additional research is required to further explore the use and disclosure of T&CM among Indigenous cancer patients to help inform and ensure effective, safe, coordinated care for Indigenous cancer patients that relies on shared open decision making and communication across patients, communities, and providers.

Details

Title: Traditional and Complementary Medicine Use Among Indigenous Cancer Patients in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United States: A Systematic Review
Creators: Alana Gall - Charles Darwin University
Stuart Leske - Charles Darwin University
Jon Adams - University of Technology Sydney
Veronica Matthews - University of Sydney
Kate Anderson - Charles Darwin University
Sheleigh Lawler - University of Queensland
Gail Garvey - Charles Darwin University
Publication Details: Integrative cancer therapies, Vol.17(3), pp.568-581
Publisher: Sage
Number of pages: 14
Grant note: 1105399 / NHMRC Early Career Fellowship; National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) of Australia Cancer Council WA; Cancer Council Western Australia SRP 13-01 / Strategic Research Partnership to improve Cancer control for Indigenous Australians (STREP Ca-CIndA through Cancer Council NSW) FT140100195 / ARC Professorial Future Fellowship; Australian Research Council 1041111 / Centre of Research Excellence in Discovering Indigenous Strategies to improve Cancer Outcomes Via Engagement, Research Translation and Training (DISCOVER-TT CRE - National Health and Medical Research Council)
Identifiers: 991013072491802368
Academic Unit: National Centre for Naturopathic Medicine
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article

Traditional and Complementary Medicine Use Among Indigenous Cancer Patients in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United States: A Systematic Review

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