The prevalence and predictors of using herbal medicines among Iranian cancer patients

Background: and Purpose: Using of herbal medicines is common for cancer treatment. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence, reasons, and predicting factors for the use of herbal medicines by Iranian cancer patients. Materials and methods: We conducted this cross-sectional study on 315 cancer patients through face-to-face interview in Kerman, Southeast of Iran, 2017. Results: In total, 267 (84.1%) patients used at least one herbal medicine during chemotherapy courses, while only 42 (16.1%) patients discussed the use of herbal medicines with physicians. Living in urban regions (OR, 2.56; 95% CI, 1.30-5.05; P<0.0001) and the experience of constipation and diarrhea (OR, 2.11; 95% CI, 1.09-4.05; P=0.02) were determined as some predicting factors for the use of herbal medicines. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that as herbal medicines are common among cancer patients and their use is often overlooked, physicians should pay particular attention to herbal medicines during chemotherapy.