Alternative therapies used by women with breast cancer in four ethnic populations

Background: Interest in alternative therapies is growing rapidly in the Uni ted States. We studied the types and prevalence of conventional and alterna tive therapies used by women in four ethnic groups (Latino, white, black, a nd Chinese) diagnosed with breast cancer from 1990 through 1992 in San Fran cisco, CA, and explored factors influencing the choices of their therapies. Methods: Subjects (n = 379) completed a 30-minute telephone interview in t heir preferred language. Logistic regression models assessed factors associ ated with the use of alternative therapies after a diagnosis of breast canc er, Results: About one half of the women used at least one type of alternat ive therapy, and about one third used two types; most therapies were used f or a duration of less than 6 months, Both the alternative therapies used an d factors influencing the choice of therapy varied by ethnicity. Blacks mos t often used spiritual healing (36%), Chinese most often used herbal remedi es (22%), and Latino women most often used dietary therapies (30%) and spir itual healing (26%), Among whites, 35% used dietary methods and 21% used ph ysical methods, such as massage and acupuncture. In general, women who had a higher educational level or income, were of younger age, had private insu rance, and exercised or attended support groups were more likely to use alt ernative therapies. About half of the women using alternative therapies rep orted discussing this use with their physicians, More than 90% of the subje cts found the therapies helpful and would recommend them to their friends, Conclusions: Given the high prevalence of alternative therapies used in San Francisco by the four ethnic groups and the relatively poor communication between patients and doctors, physicians who treat patients with breast can cer should initiate dialogues on this topic to better understand patients' choices with regard to treatment options.