title: Complementary and alternative medicine use among patients with thoracic malignancies.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use has been increasing among cancer patients. This study characterizes the use of CAM among patients with thoracic malignancies.
  
  
  METHODS
  This cross sectional study was conducted at a National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center among adult patients diagnosed with thoracic malignancies. The primary outcome was a self-reported use of CAM, defined as the use of any type of CAM beyond routine vitamin/mineral supplementation alone. A logistic regression model was developed to explore predictors of CAM use.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 108 patients completed a standardized survey (59% response rate). Overall, 42% of respondents reported the use of at least one type of CAM. Users and non-users of CAM did not differ based upon demographics, diagnosis, staging, smoking status, quality of life, or perceived understanding of cancer diagnosis. In the multivariate analysis, patients who reported feeling fearful about their future were four times more likely to be CAM users when compared to those who did not specify this emotion (odds ratio=4.18; 95% CI=1.23-14.12; p=0.02). Commonly cited reasons for CAM use were to support one's self, boost immunity, and for improvements in emotional and/or spiritual well-being.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Prevalence of CAM use among cancer patients in this study was similar to the general US population. Feeling fearful about the future was associated with CAM use. Results suggest that patients may be turning to CAM as a therapeutic adjunct to actively cope with emotional distress surrounding the cancer experience.
authors.affiliation: Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY, USA, rsbismar@buffalo.edu.
authors.forename: Rashmi S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Bismark
authors.forename: Hongbin
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Grace K
authors.initials: GK
authors.lastname: Dy
authors.forename: Elizabeth A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Gage-Bouchard
authors.forename: Martin C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Mahoney
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D016017:Odds Ratio; D057566:Self Report; D013899:Thoracic Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D014481:United States