Does perceived control predict Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) use among patients with lung cancer? A cross-sectional survey.
OBJECTIVE
Scant literature exists on the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) among patients with lung cancer. Preliminary data indicates that perceived control is an important factor leading patients to CAM. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between perceived control and CAM use in patients with lung cancer.


METHODS
We performed a cross-sectional survey in patients with lung cancer under active treatment and follow-up at the oncology clinic of an academic medical center. Self-reported CAM use was the primary outcome. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to determine the relationship between perceived control and CAM use, controlling for other factors.


RESULTS
Among 296 participants, 54.4 % were female, 83.5 % were Caucasian, 57.6 % were ≤65 years old, 52.4 % were in stage IV, and 86.4 % had non-small cell lung cancer; 50.9 % of patients had used CAM, most commonly vitamins (31.5 %), herbs (19.3 %), relaxation techniques (16 %), and special diets (15.7 %). In multivariate analysis, CAM use was associated with having greater perceived control over the cause of cancer (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 2.27, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.35-3.80), age ≤ 65 (AOR 1.64, 95 % CI 1.01-2.67), higher education (AOR 2.17, 95 % CI 1.29-3.64), and never having smoked tobacco (AOR 2.39, 95 % CI 1.25-4.54). Nearly 60 % of patients who used CAM were receiving active treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
Over half of lung cancer patients have used CAM since diagnosis. Greater perceived control over the cause of cancer was associated with CAM use. Given the high prevalence of CAM, it is essential that oncologists caring for patients with lung cancer discuss its use.
Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
Joshua
J
Bauml
Corey J
CJ
Langer
Tracey
T
Evans
Sheila N
SN
Garland
Krupali
K
Desai
Jun J
JJ
Mao
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010465:Perception; D011336:Probability; D012064:Relaxation Therapy / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D020377:Self Efficacy; D057566:Self Report