Use of alternative/complementary therapy in breast cancer patients - a psychological perspective

The objectives of this study were to assess the additional use of alternati ve (complementary) therapies in patients with breast cancer who were receiv ing conventional treatment and to compare patients using alternative therap ies with patients receiving only conventional treatment with special refere nce to psychological adaptation, causal attribution and quality of life. A sample of 117 female out-patients with a diagnosis of breast cancer filled in the following assessment instruments: FQCI (Freiburg Questionnaire for C oping with Illness), PUK (Causal Attribution Questionnaire), EORTC QLQ-C30 (European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire), POMS (Profile of Mood States), and a self-developed questi onnaire on alternative therapies. Nearly half the patients (47%, n = 55) re ported that they had used alternative therapies in addition to conventional treatment. The methods applied most frequently were nutrition-related meas ures (special drinks, vitamin preparations and whole-foods - each applied b y about 50% of users), mistletoe preparations (49%), trace elements (47%), and homeopathy (31%). Compared with patients receiving only conventional tr eatment, the users of alternative therapy were younger and better educated. Users developed a more active style of illness coping than nonusers and sh owed more religious involvement. Patients using a large number of alternati ve therapies (>3) tended to adopt a more depressive coping style than those using only a small number (less than or equal to3). For a substantial prop ortion of cancer patients alternative therapies apparently fulfil an import ant psychological need. However, a subgroup of patients using many alternat ive therapies seem to have considerable adjustment problems. In dealing wit h cancer patients the treatment team should be aware of both these groups.