Perceptions of New Zealand adults about complementary and alternative therapies for cancer treatment.
OBJECTIVE
To study perceptions regarding complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) treatments for cancer among adult New Zealanders.


METHODS
An anonymous telephone questionnaire that included questions to explore perceptions about CAM and cancer treatment was administered to a randomly selected sample of New Zealanders, 20 years and older.


RESULTS
A total of 438 New Zealand adults participated in the survey, out of 689 eligible contacts (68% participation). Less than one-third (28%) agreed with the statement alternative therapy for cancer has an equal or better chance of curing cancer as medical treatment, 34% disagreed, and 38% said they did not know. Most (63%) felt that complementary therapies could be beneficial to people who were also receiving conventional cancer treatment, although only 36% could name one or more such therapies. One-third (32%) said that alternative therapies could be used instead of conventional cancer treatments, but only 16% of the sample could name any alternative therapies. The CAM therapies named most often were nutrition (vitamin and mineral supplements, herbs, and diets) and psychosocial therapies (including positive thinking, spiritual therapies, and relaxation).


CONCLUSIONS
There seems to be little consensus about the efficacy of CAM therapies for cancer. New Zealanders may lack information about CAM, or may be withholding judgment because of contradictory messages.
Trevena
Judy
J
Department of Psychological Medicine, Dunedin School of Medicine, Dunedin. judy.trevena@stonebow.otago.ac.nz
Reeder
Anthony
A
D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D009520:New Zealand / Q000453:epidemiology; D016017:Odds Ratio; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome