Table 2.
Summary of key patient narratives
| Reason(s) for using CAM | |
| Curative or therapeutic effects | 212 (85) |
| Pain or symptom relief, stress reduction | 137 (55) |
| Dissatisfaction with current or past medical treatment options | 105 (42) |
| Spiritual/emotional well-being | 63 (25) |
| Very limited/no viable medical options left | 45 (18) |
| Religious beliefs | 28 (11) |
| Does not want to go through the negative side-effects of chemo/radiation, but still wants some treatment | 10 (4) |
| Financial reasons | 11 (4) |
| Already experienced negative side-effects of chemotherapy/radiation, cannot tolerate it anymore | 7 (2) |
| Cultural beliefs | 4 (2) |
| Fear that conventional cancer therapy alone will not be enough/won’t work | 3 (1) |
| Other/unknown | 13 (5) |
| Belief that CAM is more effective than CCT | |
| Yes | 85 (34) |
| No | 100 (40) |
| Unknown | 65 (26) |
| Intent to travel out of state for CAM treatment | |
| Yes | 87 (35) |
| No | 78 (32) |
| Unknown | 82 (33) |
| Has the patient tried CCT yet? | |
| Yes | 156 (62) |
| No | 87 (35) |
| Unknown | 7 (3) |
| Reasons for declining CCT | |
| Want to try to fight off cancer using CAM first | 57 (66) |
| Too “toxic” or “poisonous” to the body | 39 (45) |
| Cancer is too advanced already; treatment either futile or too aggressive | 25 (29) |
| Will plan on undergoing conventional cancer treatment eventually | 17 (20) |
| Financial barriers/obstacles | 9 (10) |
| Negative personal experiences previously, either with self or another loved one, in regards to using chemo/radiation | 7(8) |
| Mistrust in the medical system | 5 (6) |
| Just want to enjoy the remaining years with high QOL | 4 (5) |