Expectations about alternative therapies and women with gynecological cancer

Lesson From Comparison of CAM Use by Women With Female-Specific Cancers to Others: It's Time to Focus on Interaction Risks With CAM Therapies

There has been no examination as to whether the prevalence of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use, as well as personal factors associated with CAM use and predictive of CAM use for women with female-specific cancers, is similar to those in other diagnostic groups. The purpose of this review is to compare CAM use and personal factors associated with and predictive of CAM use by women with female-specific cancers to samples of other diagnostic groups. If it is the case that CAM use is similar across various types of samples, then it may be unnecessary to continue to study detailed CAM use by those in separate diagnostic groups and instead focus energies on the examination of CAM therapies that may have risks for interaction with conventional therapies, such as biologically based therapies. The researcher concludes that we are now in an era in which we need to use our restricted time, human resources, and finances to examine biologically based CAM use that may carry high risks for interactions or toxicities for specific groups under examination, rather than examine global CAM use, unless the situation warrants such all-inclusive study.

Complementary and alternative modalities used by women with female-specific cancers

The purposes of this study were to describe the personal factors of women with female-specific cancers and the prevalence and types of complementary and alternative modalities (CAM) used by these women. The study also tested 2 hypotheses regarding personal factors and CAM use. Using a cross-sectional, retrospective, explanatory secondary analysis of the 2002 National Health Interview Survey data set, estimations were made with an initial sample of 725 women with female-specific cancers, using a framework on the basis of Pender's Health Promotion Model. Results of the study include that personal factors associated with those who used CAM include presence of pain and depression/anxiety. Those women having 2 or more types of female-specific cancers were associated with the use of alternative medical systems. The findings provide information for nurses about patients with female-specific cancers who use CAM for health promotion.

Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Gynaecologic Oncology

OBJECTIVES

To explore complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use among gynaecologic oncology patients in Nova Scotia.

METHODS

Over a 3-month period, 163 patients were asked to fill out a questionnaire concerning CAM. Those entering the study provided demographic information such as age, address, and employment status, as well as medical information and details of their use of alternative therapies.

RESULTS

A total of 152 patients were entered into the study, giving a response rate of 93.3%. Of these, 116 had used at least one type of CAM, classifying them as users (76.3%). Women who considered themselves "more religious" were more likely to be CAM users (P = 0.001). There were no significant differences found between users and nonusers with respect to other patient characteristics reported. Patients with cervical cancer were less likely to use CAM than participants with another primary gynaecological malignancy (P = 0.040). The most frequent CAM therapy practised was spirituality/prayer (52.6%). Most women used CAM to improve their physical well-being, and 53.3% of the women were interested in receiving more information on CAM.

CONCLUSION

A significant number of women undergoing conventional treatment for gynaecologic cancer in Halifax, Nova Scotia, also use CAM. Women are using CAM for numerous reasons and believe they are benefiting from CAM in many ways. Physicians need to be aware of this high usage rate and should explore their patients' attitudes to and opinions about CAM.

A comparison of complementary and alternative medicine use by gynecology and gynecologic oncology patients

Our objective was to describe and compare the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in gynecology and gynecological oncology patients. Five hundred and twenty-nine gynecology and gynecological oncology patients completed a questionnaire regarding CAM use. Overall, 56.3% of gynecology and gynecological oncology patients reported current use of CAM. Therapies used included nutritional supplements (20%), prayer as medical therapy (17%), exercise as medical therapy (12%), megavitamins (10%), and green tea (10%). While 69.5% believed CAM to be beneficial, only 31.6% discussed these therapies with their physician. The women spent a mean of $656.22 on CAM (range $0-$7,000), with 31.7% receiving some insurance reimbursement. Gynecologic oncology patients (n = 161) used CAM significantly more than gynecology patients (n = 368) (66% vs. 52%, 95% CI = 0.046-0.230, P = 0.004). Gynecological oncology patients also spent more for CAM, with a mean expenditure of $711 versus $622 by gynecology patients. Within the gynecological oncology patient group, there were 69 patients currently receiving modern medical treatments for cancer; among these patients, 58% reported using CAM; of these, 39.3% communicated their use of CAM to their physician. Patients in this group spent an average of $1,178 on CAM during their illness, with only 6.3% receiving insurance reimbursement. Benefits from CAM were perceived by 54.5% in this group. We concluded that cancer patients have a higher usage rate and expenditure for CAM, particularly while they are receiving medical therapy, and are more likely to discuss the use of alternative therapies with their physicians. CAM was perceived as helpful by patients despite the lack of scientific data about its effect.