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BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies
Published in: BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies 1/2002

Open Access 01-12-2002 | Research article

Use of complementary/alternative therapies by women with advanced-stage breast cancer

Authors: Joannie Shen, Ronald Andersen, Paul S Albert, Neil Wenger, John Glaspy, Melissa Cole, Paul Shekelle

Published in: BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies | Issue 1/2002

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Abstract

Background

This study sought to describe the pattern of complementary/alternative medicine (CAM) use among a group of patients with advanced breast cancer, to examine the main reasons for their CAM use, to identify patient's information sources and their communication pattern with their physicians.

Methods

Face-to-face structured interviews of patients with advanced-stage breast cancer at a comprehensive oncology center.

Results

Seventy three percent of patients used CAM; relaxation/meditative techniques and herbal medicine were the most common. The most commonly cited primary reason for CAM use was to boost the immune system, the second, to treat cancer; however these reasons varied depending on specific CAM therapy. Friends or family members and mass media were common primary information source's about CAM.

Conclusions

A high proportion of advanced-stage breast cancer patients used CAM. Discussion with doctors was high for ingested products. Mass media was a prominent source of patient information. Credible sources of CAM information for patients and physicians are needed.
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Metadata
Title
Use of complementary/alternative therapies by women with advanced-stage breast cancer
Authors
Joannie Shen
Ronald Andersen
Paul S Albert
Neil Wenger
John Glaspy
Melissa Cole
Paul Shekelle
Publication date
01-12-2002
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies / Issue 1/2002
Electronic ISSN: 2662-7671
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6882-2-8

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