Patients with terminal cancer who use alternative therapies: their beliefs and practices

Abstract

This paper examines the extent to which patients who have been diagnosed as having terminal cancer choose to use non-medical therapies. In particular it is concerned with the illness behaviour of patients who are receiving conventional cytotoxic drug and radiation treatments, who also decide to use a wide range of 'alternative' medications and therapies. The paper discusses the findings of a study of 152 patients with metastatic cancer that examined the extent to which they used alternative cancer therapies, as well as the beliefs and attitudes they have about their cancer, its treatment, and the practitioners providing that treatment. Four groups of users of alternative therapies, who differ according to their commitment to and the type of therapies they use, were identified. Results of logistic regression analyses indicate that those using alternative therapies were different in range of social attitudes. These differences were primarily their greater reported 'will to live' and desire for control over treatment decisions, and the differing beliefs they hold about their disease.

An investigation of the health beliefs and motivations of complementary medicine clients

“…It has been argued that locus of control is not a motivational variable that shows desire or effort for control (Shapiro, 1996). In addition, the desire for control over one's own choices (Deci & Ryan, 1985), which has been found to be associated with the decision to use CM (Truant & Bottorff, 1999;Yates et al, 1993), may be different from an expectancy for control over outcomes (Burger, 1985;Burger & Cooper, 1979).…”

Prevalence and parental perceptions of complementary and alternative medicine use by children with cancer in a multi‐ethnic Southeast Asian population

“…A selection of original question about CAM therapy use developed and validated by Yates et al [3] was also included in the modified questionnaire used by Boon et al We divided the questionnaire into three sections with a total of 58 questions: (1) patient and family demographics and clinical characteristics; (2) use of CAM therapies; (3) parental beliefs about conventional treatments and CAM therapies. For this study, CAM users were defined as those who reported using at least one form of CAM.…”

Beliefs and practices of patients with advanced cancer: implications for communication

“…The details of this prospective cross-sectional study have been published elsewhere (Yates et al, 1993;Beadle et al, 2004) and its intent was to capture the immediate views of patients about their attitudes and beliefs following a diagnosis of advanced cancer. In summary, eligible patients had locally advanced or metastatic cancer, measurable or evaluable disease, ambulatory status (performance status ECOG 0 -3), an estimated survival between 3 months and 2 years, and a time interval since last outpatient review of less than 3 months.…”

“…Details of therapies and the practitioners who prescribed alternatives to conventional medical treatments are described elsewhere (Yates et al, 1993) in a larger sample of patients. Therapies included vitamins and tonics, methods of meditation and relaxation, special diets, faith healing, herbal remedies, and methods of detoxification and immune stimulation.…”

“…In advanced cancer, there is growing evidence that some patients have unrealistic expectations of treatments of minimal (Slevin et al, 1990) or unproven efficacy (Bagenal et al, 1990;Daugherty et al, 1995;Miller et al, 1998), including a belief that their cancer is curable (Slevin et al, 1990;Yates et al, 1993;Butow et al, 1999;Richardson et al, 2000). In a secondary analysis of data that evaluated the beliefs and attitudes of patients about their diagnosis, prognosis, satisfaction with and use of treatments in advanced cancer, we showed that positive illusory responses, characterised by a belief in curability, a strong will to live and a committed use of alternatives to conventional medical treatments were associated with better quality of life (Beadle et al, 2004).…”