China’s cancer patients’ perceptions, attitudes and participation in clinical trials of complementary and alternative medicine: A multi-center cross-sectional study

Abstract Introduction Complementary and alternative medicine is quite popular among oncologists and cancer patients, nevertheless many clinical trials of complementary and alternative medicine (CTCAM) are not registered. This study was designed to investigate the perceptions of cancer patients toward CTCAM in China and their attitudes to participating in such trials. Methods A multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted from June to December 2016. Cancer inpatients over the age of 18 years and with a clear disease diagnosis were recruited from the integrative oncology departments of five general hospitals in Shanghai, China. After obtaining informed consent and having had the definitions of CTCAM, CAM and CT explained by their oncologist, each participant completed a questionnaire in a face to face interviews under the guidance of the oncologist. Results A total of 662 cancer patients participated in this study. Half (49.8%) self-reported they understood the meaning of clinical trials (CTs), 14 cancer patients (2.1%) had participated in CTs before, but none had participated in CTCAM. Of cancer patients who knew about CTs, most showed conditional attitude towards participating in CTCAM. To participate in CTCAM, most wanted to get better treatment (78.8%). Potential risks during the trials (55.8%) and patients’ unwillingness to be treated as test subjects (37.3%) were the main reasons why the patients refused to participate. Their main issues were about the purpose and effects of the treatment (90.3%), their privacy (81.8%), and potential risks and adverse effects (81.8%). Predictive factors associated with “cancer patients knowing about CTs” included age (≤59 years, P  = 0.006), ECOG-PS score (≤2, P P Conclusions In China, cancer patients do not appear to have a good knowledge of understanding about taking part in CTs. However, many cancer patients showed great interest in participating in CTCAM.