Perspectives and Attitudes of Dutch Healthcare Professionals Regarding the Integration of Complementary Medicine in Oncology.

Introduction: Almost half of all patients with cancer use complementary medicine (CM) alongside conventional cancer treatment. Further integration of CM into clinical practice could enhance communication and ensure improved coordination between complementary medicine and conventional care. This study assessed the perspectives of healthcare professionals on the current status of integration of CM in oncology, as well as their attitudes and beliefs toward CM.

How is complementary medicine discussed in oncology? Observing real-life communication between clinicians and patients with advanced cancer.

Objective: This study aims to examine the structure of communication about complementary medicine (CM) between patients with cancer and clinicians during oncology consultations.

Methods: Previously, consultations between 29 clinicians and 80 patients with advanced cancer were recorded in six hospitals in the Netherlands. The present study considers a secondary analysis.

Towards an open and effective dialogue on complementary medicine in oncology: protocol of patient participatory study 'COMMON'.

Introduction: Approximately half of patients with cancer use some form of complementary medicine alongside conventional cancer treatment. The topic of complementary medicine often remains undiscussed in consultations between patients with cancer and their healthcare providers. This results in increased risks for adverse or interaction effects and decreased access to the benefits of evidence-based complementary medicine for patients with cancer.

Lipegfilgrastim for prophylaxis of chemotherapy-induced neutropenia in Dutch patients.

Background: Chemotherapy (CT)-induced neutropenia and febrile neutropenia (FN) can lead to changes in the treatment plan, potentially worsening the cancer outcome. This study evaluated the effect of the glycopegylated granulocyte-colony stimulating factor lipegfilgrastim, used as primary (PP) or secondary prophylaxis (SP), on treatment modifications in adult patients receiving cytotoxic CT with or without biological/targeted therapy (BT) for solid and haematological tumours.

Methods: This phase 4, prospective, observational study was conducted in eight centres in the Netherlands, in 2015-2017.

Body composition is associated with risk of toxicity-induced modifications of treatment in women with stage I-IIIB breast cancer receiving chemotherapy.

Purpose: Initial dose of chemotherapy is planned based on body surface area, which does not take body composition into account. We studied the association between fat mass (kg and relative to total body weight) as well as lean mass (kg and relative to total body weight) and toxicity-induced modifications of treatment in breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy.

Methods: In an observational study among 172 breast cancer patients (stage I-IIIB) in the Netherlands, we assessed body composition using dual-energy X-ray scans.