1 in 3 cancer patients report using alternative therapies

A third of cancer patients have used alternative therapies such as herbal supplements and acupuncture, a new study finds. Researchers looked at data from a 2012 national health survey, and here’s what else they found:

• Type of therapy: About 36% of those who used these therapies said they used herbal supplements, while 1 in 4 said that they went to a chiropractor or osteopath for help.
• Disclosure to physicians: Some 30% said that they did not let their physician know about it, mostly because they weren’t asked.
• Takeaway: The study only looked at broad trends in patients who used alternative therapies, and the authors say that more research is needed to know how using such therapies affects the health and quality of life of cancer patients.