The study aimed to estimate the prevalence of unconventional
therapy use among children with
cancer in Saskatchewan, including identification of the most commonly used
therapies, and to describe families' expectations and experiences in doing so. Researchers used a cross-sectional survey design with semi-structured telephone interviews to suit the descriptive and exploratory inquiry and the population focus. The personal telephone interviews occurred during the fall and winter of 1996 to 1997, with the parents coming from a wide range of geographic areas in the province of Saskatchewan. Parents of all children who were aged 14 years or younger when diagnosed with
cancer during 1994 and 1995 in Saskatchewan and still living at the time of the study were identified through the provincial
cancer registry with the assistance of the Saskatchewan
Cancer Agency. Of the 44 families participating (92% of those eligible), 36% reported using unconventional
therapy for their child's
cancer; another 21% considered it. Reasons included complementing medical treatment, coping with side effects; making the child stronger; and stopping the
cancer. Experiences were generally positive. Reasons for not using unconventional
therapies included the child doing well and parents placing confidence in the medical system. Parents identified a need for better quality information about unconventional
therapies. Unconventional
therapies play a substantial complementary role in
cancer care for children. Families need support to identify safe and potentially helpful
therapies when they choose that route. This requires: more research about
therapies' effectiveness; more accessible, quality information; and more training for health professionals in understanding and discussing unconventional
therapies. There is considerable research showing that use of unconventional
therapies, also known as complementary or
alternative therapies, is high among adult
cancer patients. Although it is likely reasonable to assume this may also be true for children, there is almost no research on children's use of unconventional
therapies for
cancer. Knowing the extent of children's use of unconventional
therapies and whether those experiences have been beneficial or harmful is essential for parents and health professionals making quality care decisions for children.