A survey of cancer patients across 14 European countries revealed that 35.9% used complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), with herbal remedies being the most common. CAM use varied widely by country, ranging from 14.8% to 73.1%. Patients used CAM to improve physical and emotional well-being, though benefits were not always linked to their initial reasons. Herbal medicine use increased significantly after diagnosis. Younger, female, and more educated patients were more likely to use CAM. Sources of information included friends, family, and media, while healthcare professionals played a minor role. Side effects were reported by 4.4% of patients, mostly temporary. CAM use was associated with younger age, female gender, higher education, and previous standard treatment. Despite limited evidence of effectiveness, patients often used CAM to complement conventional treatments. The study highlights the need for healthcare professionals to educate patients about CAM and integrate it into healthcare systems. CAM use varied by country and was influenced by cultural, economic, and availability factors. The study underscores the importance of further research and regulation of CAM therapies in Europe.A survey of cancer patients across 14 European countries revealed that 35.9% used complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), with herbal remedies being the most common. CAM use varied widely by country, ranging from 14.8% to 73.1%. Patients used CAM to improve physical and emotional well-being, though benefits were not always linked to their initial reasons. Herbal medicine use increased significantly after diagnosis. Younger, female, and more educated patients were more likely to use CAM. Sources of information included friends, family, and media, while healthcare professionals played a minor role. Side effects were reported by 4.4% of patients, mostly temporary. CAM use was associated with younger age, female gender, higher education, and previous standard treatment. Despite limited evidence of effectiveness, patients often used CAM to complement conventional treatments. The study highlights the need for healthcare professionals to educate patients about CAM and integrate it into healthcare systems. CAM use varied by country and was influenced by cultural, economic, and availability factors. The study underscores the importance of further research and regulation of CAM therapies in Europe.