THE USE OF COMPLEMENTARY THERAPIES BY BREAST-CANCER PATIENTS ATTENDING CONVENTIONAL TREATMENT

The aim of this study was to measure the proportion and characteristic s of complementary therapy (CT) users among female breast cancer patie nts receiving conventional treatment. 473 women who had received surgi cal intervention for breast cancer in the year of diagnosis were sent a questionnaire for completion, and 242 responded. CT had been used by 16.5% after cancer diagnosis, only 8.7% before. The most commonly use d CTs were homeopathy, manual healing method, herbalism and acupunctur e. The main reason for using CTs was physical distress. Only a minorit y was searching for psychological support. 24 users were satisfied wit h these treatments, and two-thirds would suggest them. Users were sign ificantly younger, more educated, and previous users of CTs than non-u sers. Adjusting each variable for the effect of the others, only previ ous use had an independent effect on increasing the probability of bei ng users after cancer diagnosis. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All ri ghts reserved.