title: The impact of acculturation on the use of traditional Chinese medicine in newly diagnosed Chinese cancer patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study assessed the impact of acculturation on the prevalence of traditional Chinese medicine and other complementary and alternative medicine (TCM/CAM) use in newly diagnosed Chinese cancer patients. The individual determinants of TCM/CAM use among patients were also investigated.
  
  
  METHODS
  A consecutive sample of Chinese cancer patients treated at the British Columbia Cancer Agency was surveyed at admission using a 15-item questionnaire. Items included TCM/CAM use, sociodemographics, as well as medical and cultural factors. Data were analyzed using bivariate methods including Pearson's X (2) test and Student's t test. As well, multiple logistic regression was used to obtain the final causal model.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 230 respondents, 57% completed the survey in Chinese and 94% were immigrants. The average age was 59. Participants had a mean disease duration of approximately 2 months and 79% had already received at least one conventional treatment. Overall, TCM/CAM was used by 47% of respondents. Herbal remedies, vitamins/minerals, and prayer were the most commonly used therapies. Multivariable analysis showed that prior TCM/CAM use (p < 0.001), having received conventional treatment(s) (p = 0.029), and being less acculturated (p = 0.028) were associated with TCM/CAM use.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Prevalence and type of use were found to vary as a function of the degree of acculturation. Health care practitioners would be well advised to discuss TCM/CAM use with their patients, especially those who are less acculturated to Western society, since they are the most likely users of TCM/CAM.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Western Ontario, Kresge Building, Room K201, London, Ontario N6A 5C1, Canada. mark.ferro@schulich.uwo.ca
authors.forename: Mark Anthony
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Ferro
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Leis
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Doll
authors.forename: Lyren
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chiu
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.forename: Maria-Cristina
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Barroetavena
mesh_terms: D000069:Acculturation; D000368:Aged; D001955:British Columbia; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004641:Emigration and Immigration; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008516:Medicine, Chinese Traditional / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires