title: The Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine by Korean Breast Cancer Women: Is It Associated with Severity of Symptoms?
abstract: Background. Use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) among patients with breast cancer could be associated with severity of the cancer symptoms experienced, but there is little evidence to prove this. This study tried to investigate any difference in the severity of breast cancer symptoms between CAM users and nonusers. Methods. The study followed cross-sectional design using structured survey questionnaire. Survey participants were recruited from four different healthcare settings in Seoul, South Korea. The survey instrument comprised 39 items including questions on demographics, use of CAM, and six main symptoms associated with breast cancer and cancer treatment. Results. Out of 288 participants, 67% stated using one or more modalities of CAM. Age, education, and time duration since diagnosis of cancer were significantly associated with use of CAM. About 90% of the CAM users experienced side effects of cancer treatment. CAM users reported more severe anxiety and skin/hair changes than nonusers. Conclusions. CAM was used by those breast cancer patients who experience more severe symptoms to alleviate the conditions associated with breast cancer and cancer treatment. Our findings revealed motivation behind the CAM use, which has profound implications for clinicians to recognize patient-perceived needs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hanyang University, College of Medicine, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul 04763, Republic of Korea; Institute of Health Services Management, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul 04763, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jung Hye
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Hwang
authors.affiliation: Institute of Health Services Management, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul 04763, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Woon-Yong
authors.initials: WY
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Institute of Health Services Management, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul 04763, Republic of Korea; Department of Global Health and Department of Preventive Medicine, Hanyang University, College of Medicine, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul 04763, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Mansoor
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ahmed
authors.affiliation: Institute of Health Services Management, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul 04763, Republic of Korea; Department of Global Health and Department of Preventive Medicine, Hanyang University, College of Medicine, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul 04763, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Soojeung
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.affiliation: Institute of Health Services Management, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul 04763, Republic of Korea; Department of Global Health and Department of Preventive Medicine, Hanyang University, College of Medicine, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul 04763, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jiwoo
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Institute of Health Services Management, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul 04763, Republic of Korea; Department of Global Health and Department of Preventive Medicine, Hanyang University, College of Medicine, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul 04763, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Dong Woon
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Han