Use of complementary and alternative medicine by patients with breast cancer: observations from a health-care survey.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to assess the period prevalence and identify predictors of the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) among women with breast cancer.


METHODS
In a cross-sectional study, 263 women participating in a quality of life survey reported on CAM use. Differences between CAM users and nonusers were evaluated using logistic regression.


RESULTS
About 3 years after diagnosis the period prevalence of CAM use among women with breast cancer was 36%. Younger women reported usage of CAM more often than older women. Associations between remote disease, pain and psychosocial variables were found. Involvement in self-help groups and active participation in leisure activities were associated with CAM use; this may indicate differences in the patients' ability to cope with the disease. Most patients were informed of CAM by a physician.


CONCLUSIONS
Involvement in self-help groups and leisure activities were associated with CAM use, indicating differences in the patients' ability to cope. Further research is necessary to evaluate the safety of CAM and to determine the value of CAM in health care.
Nagel
G
G
Comprehensive Cancer Center/Field Study Breast Cancer, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, 07740 Jena, Germany. g.nagel@dkfz.de
Hoyer
H
H
Katenkamp
D
D
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D015995:Prevalence; D011336:Probability; D011788:Quality of Life; D018570:Risk Assessment; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome