Scientific research has brought about enormous
national advancements in cancer management. Currently, Morocco provides
several therapeutic tools for cancer, among them chemotherapy, surgery and
radiotherapy. In Morocco, there is not enough
published data on the use of alternative medicine in pediatric oncology.
Owing to the increased interest and lack of data on this practice, we conducted this study. It aims to evaluate the
uptake, the types of therapies used, the factors influencing, the reasons for
this choice and the cost of AM used by patients. An investigation through a
questionnaire was carried out on thirty-four children following for cancer
within the pediatric hematology and
oncology department (PHO) of Marrakech. The survey was conducted over a period
of one month and a half between July 25 and September 5, 2022. Data were
collected through a questionnaire. From the medical files, we collected data
regarding type of cancer, date of admission to PHO department and the treatment
received. We asked about the type of AM used: herbs, honey, spiritual AM,
zamzam water (water from a “sacred” source in Mecca).Using
alternative therapies is a common practice in pediatric oncology with various
reasons, among them, the declining socioeconomic level, the diversity, the
cultural background, the psychological and the functional status of patients
and sometimes the dissatisfaction with conventional medicine.
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