use of complementary and alternative medicine among iranian cancer patients: a prospective cross-sectional analysis of prevalence, patterns, and drug interactions

Background :cancer patients often turn to complementary and alternative medicine (cam) to manage treatment side effects, slow disease progression, prevent metastasis, or seek full recovery. the cam includes a range of therapies, notably medicinal herbs. objectives :this study investigated the prevalence and patterns of cam use among cancer patients, with a focus on herbal remedies and potential drug-herb interactions. methods :a descriptive-analytical prospective cross-sectional study was conducted in 2019 at omid hospital in isfahan, iran, involving 400 patients diagnosed with malignancy. data were collected using a standardized checklist covering demographic details (age, sex, marital status, education, occupation, income) and cam usage. drug-herb interactions were assessed by cross-referencing patient responses with pharmacological databases and literature. logistic regression analyzed predictors of cam use. results :of the 400 participants (216 men, 186 women), 75.75% had non-metastatic cancer, and 52.25% had been in treatment for 1 - 3 years. mental cam methods were common, with prayer and spiritual healing used by 47% of patients, followed by psychotherapy (8.5%). herbal usage at cancer onset showed mentha (30%), salix aegyptiaca (23.5%), and licorice (22%) as the most consumed plants. overall, 78.5% of patients reported using some form of cam. multivariate analysis identified younger age, male gender, lower education, metastatic disease, and longer treatment duration as significant predictors of cam use, particularly herbal and ritual-based practices. common drug-herb interactions included increased bleeding risk, altered drug metabolism, and cardiovascular effects. conclusions :the study highlights the widespread use of herbal remedies among cancer patients, often without medical supervision. this raises concerns about potential drug-herb interactions, especially given the low rate of disclosure to healthcare providers. findings underscore the need for open communication between patients and clinicians regarding cam use and recommend routine screening for herbal product consumption in oncology care.