Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #108735

Laura J. Peterson, BA, Stress and Immunity Cancer Projects, The Ohio State University, 167 Townshend Hall, 1885 Neil Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, 614-292-6874, peterson.266@osu.edu, Sharla M. Di Gregorio, PhD, Department of Psychology, Denison University, 404D Knapp Hall, Granville, Ohio, OH 43023, and Barbara L. Andersen, PhD, Department of Psychology, The Ohio State University, 202 Townshend Hall, 1885 Neil Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210.

Previous studies have examined predictors of complementary alternative medicine (CAM) use among the general population (Wyatt, 1999). Studies report that CAM incidence among breast cancer survivors is higher than population rates (Jacobson, et al, 2000). This study examined different domains of CAM use and their relationship between demographic variables. Participants were 53 women diagnosed with Stage II and III breast cancer five years following cancer diagnosis. The sample was Caucasian (92%), 49 years of age (SD=9.79), 15 years of education (SD=2.56) and household income $71,000 (Range=$6K-$450K). They received conventional treatments: surgery (100%), radiation (54%), adjuvant chemotherapy (80%), and hormonal therapy (74%). Eighty-five percent of the survivors reported using one or more of five CAM domains designated by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM, 2000). These included biologically based practices (e.g. megavitamins, herbal; 64% of patients), mind-body medicine (e.g. relaxation, meditation; 64%), body-based practices (e.g. chiropractic, massage; 24%), whole medical systems (e.g. acupuncture; 8%) and energy medicine (e.g. reiki, magnetic; 5%). The most common modalities across domains included: megavitamins (60%), relaxation (42%), and spiritual healing (42%). Demographic factors were related to CAM usage. Body- based practices were positively related to higher income (p=.034), age (p=.018) and education (p=.003). Mind-body techniques and whole medical systems were also correlated with higher levels of education (p=.002, p=.038). The majority of breast cancer survivors are using forms of CAM. Awareness of patterns of use among breast cancer survivors is important for integrating CAM with conventional treatments during survivorship.

Learning Objectives:

• • List the CAM modalities most frequently used by breast cancer patients
• • Identify the complementary alternative medicine categories designated by NCCAM
• • Discuss demographic factors associated with complementary or alternative medicine use of breast cancer survivors

Keywords: Alternative Medicine/Therapies, Breast Cancer

Related Web page: and.psy.ohio-state.edu

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.