title: Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use Among Overweight and Obese Cancer Survivors in the United States.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of the study was to determine the prevalence of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use among US cancer survivors; examine whether use varies by underweight/normal weight, overweight, and obese body mass index status; determine reasons for use; and document disclosure rates of CAM use to medical professionals.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data for 1785 cancer survivors were obtained from the 2007 National Health Interview Survey and CAM supplement. The prevalence and associations of CAM use in the previous 12 months were compared among underweight/normal weight, overweight, and obese adult cancer survivors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nearly 90% of cancer survivors used at least one type of CAM therapy in the 12 months preceding the survey. Those who were overweight, but not obese, were more likely to use a CAM modality compared to normal/underweight respondents. Over two thirds (71%) reported using CAM therapy for general health and wellness and 39.3% used CAM because a health care provider recommended it. Disclosure rates of CAM use to conventional medical professionals varied widely by CAM modality.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  An overwhelming majority of US cancer survivors use CAM for a variety of reasons. Overweight cancer survivors may be more likely to use CAM than those who are underweight, normal weight, or obese. Cancer survivors should be screened by medical providers for the use of CAM therapies; furthermore, prospective clinical research evaluating the efficacy and safety of biologically based CAM therapies, often used by cancer survivors, is important and necessary for the well-being of this population.
authors.affiliation: Office of Cancer Complementary and Alternative Medicine, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA.
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ojukwu
authors.affiliation: University of West Florida, Pensacola, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Justice
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mbizo
authors.affiliation: Process of Care Research Branch, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA.
authors.forename: Bryan
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Leyva
authors.affiliation: Office of Cancer Complementary and Alternative Medicine, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA Kelly Services Incorporated, Rockville, MD, USA Olakuo@mail.nih.gov.
authors.forename: Oluwadamilola
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Olaku
authors.affiliation: Office of Cancer Complementary and Alternative Medicine, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA.
authors.forename: Farah
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Zia
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D030881:Disclosure / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000534:rehabilitation; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology*; D050177:Overweight / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D017741:Survivors / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: alternative; cancer; complementary; medicine; obese; overweight; survivors