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Use of complementary and alternative medicine by patients with breast cancer: observations from a health-care survey

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Abstract

Goals of the work

The aim of this study was to assess the period prevalence and identify predictors of the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) among women with breast cancer.

Patients and methods

In a cross-sectional study, 263 women participating in a quality of life survey reported on CAM use. Differences between CAM users and nonusers were evaluated using logistic regression.

Results

About 3 years after diagnosis the period prevalence of CAM use among women with breast cancer was 36%. Younger women reported usage of CAM more often than older women. Associations between remote disease, pain and psychosocial variables were found. Involvement in self-help groups and active participation in leisure activities were associated with CAM use; this may indicate differences in the patients’ ability to cope with the disease. Most patients were informed of CAM by a physician.

Conclusions

Involvement in self-help groups and leisure activities were associated with CAM use, indicating differences in the patients’ ability to cope. Further research is necessary to evaluate the safety of CAM and to determine the value of CAM in health care.

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported by grants from the German Ministry of Health (FB2-43332-70/1). We thank all patients who participated in the survey. We are grateful to our documentation team and thank S. Berg, I. Köhler, B. Osten and K. Polte. The authors also thank S. Schmidt for her helpful comments on the earlier version of this paper.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Comprehensive Cancer Center/Field Study Breast Cancer, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Bachstr. 18, 07740, Jena, Germany

    G. Nagel & D. Katenkamp

  2. Institute for Medical Statistics, Computer Sciences und Documentation, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Bachstr. 18, 07740, Jena, Germany

    H. Hoyer

  3. Division Clinical Epidemiology, German Cancer Research Center, Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany

    G. Nagel

Authors
  1. G. Nagel
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  2. H. Hoyer
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  3. D. Katenkamp
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Correspondence to G. Nagel.

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Nagel, G., Hoyer, H. & Katenkamp, D. Use of complementary and alternative medicine by patients with breast cancer: observations from a health-care survey. Support Care Cancer 12, 789–796 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-004-0675-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-004-0675-5

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