Faculty Collaboration Database

Use of complementary and alternative medicine among women with gynecologic cancers. Gynecol Oncol 2002 Mar;84(3):363-7

Date

02/22/2002

Pubmed ID

11855870

DOI

10.1006/gyno.2001.6515

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-0036193595 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   103 Citations

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and types of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) usage by women with gynecologic cancer in an outpatient midwestern university practice.

METHODS: Any patient with a gynecologic cancer seen in the outpatient clinic of the gynecologic oncology division at Washington University over a 3-month period was eligible, excluding those patients with a new cancer diagnosis. Subjects completed a questionnaire anonymously. Two by two comparisons were made using the Fisher exact test and P was considered significant at P < 0.05.

RESULTS: Nearly half (49.6%) of 113 respondents had used CAM since being diagnosed with cancer. Characteristics significantly associated with CAM use include annual income greater than $30,000, cancer site of origin other than the cervix, and use of CAM prior to cancer diagnosis. Users with annual incomes greater than $30,000 were significantly more likely to use CAM in the "other" category that included acupuncture, reflexology, and electromagnetic therapy. Fewer than 25% of CAM users received information regarding CAM from a physician, nurse, or practitioner of CAM. Women used CAM in hopes of achieving a wide range of potential benefits including both improved well-being and anti-cancer effects. The most common actual benefit these women perceived was an improvement in psychosocial well-being, including increased hope or optimism.

CONCLUSIONS: American patients with gynecologic cancer frequently use CAM in addition to standard medical therapy. Oncologists caring for women with gynecologic cancer should initiate a dialogue about usage of CAM, discussing the potential adverse effects of CAM and the patient's therapeutic goals.

Author List

Swisher EM, Cohn DE, Goff BA, Parham J, Herzog TJ, Rader JS, Mutch DG

Author

Janet Sue Rader MD Chair, Professor in the Obstetrics and Gynecology department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Adult
Aged
Complementary Therapies
Female
Genital Neoplasms, Female
Hospitals, University
Humans
Middle Aged
Outpatients
Surveys and Questionnaires