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

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to assess the additional use of alternative (complementary) therapies in patients with breast cancer who were receiving conventional treatment and to compare patients using alternative therapies with patients receiving only conventional treatment with special reference 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 Coping 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 questionnaire on alternative therapies. Nearly half the patients (47%, n = 55) reported that they had used alternative therapies in addition to conventional treatment. The methods applied most frequently were nutrition-related measures (special drinks, vitamin preparations and whole-foods - each applied by about 50% of users), mistletoe preparations (49%), trace elements (47%), and homeopathy (31%). Compared with patients receiving only conventional treatment, the users of alternative therapy were younger and better educated. Users developed a more active style of illness coping than nonusers and showed more religious involvement. Patients using a large number of alternative therapies (>3) tended to adopt a more depressive coping style than those using only a small number (< or =3). For a substantial proportion of cancer patients alternative therapies apparently fulfil an important psychological need. However, a subgroup of patients using many alternative therapies seem to have considerable adjustment problems. In dealing with cancer patients the treatment team should be aware of both these groups.

Relief of Symptoms, Side Effects, and Psychological Distress Through Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Women With Breast Cancer

“…Alferi et al (2001) found that women who used psychotherapy, which they classifi ed as a CAM therapy, also reported more distress, depression, and sexual disturbances than those who did not use psychotherapy. Moschen et al (2001) found that patients who used a larger number of CAM therapies had a more depressive coping style and that those using many CAM therapies appeared to be struggling with adjustment problems. Healthcare professionals should be aware that women may be using stress-reducing types of CAM (e.g., art therapy, yoga, support group, prayer or spiritual healing, humor or laughter therapy, music therapy, guided imagery, refl exology, therapeutic touch, counseling) in an attempt to self-treat for stress, depression, or distress.…”

“…In that study, psychotherapy was identifi ed as a CAM therapy. In a comparison study of 55 patients with breast cancer who reported using alternative therapies compared to 62 nonusers, Moschen et al (2001) found that patients who used a larger number of CAM therapies adopted a more depressive coping style and that those using many CAM therapies appeared to have adjustment problems.…”

Dietary attitudes and changes as well as use of supplements and complementary therapies by Australian and Finnish women following the diagnosis of breast cancer

“…In less than 10 y, the sales of food supplements have more than doubled in the USA, although their safety and efficacy remain largely unknown (Moschen et al, 2001). Newman and co-workers reported that 80% of breast cancer patients used nutritional supplements, the most common being vitamins E and C and multivitamins and mineral supplements (Newman et al, 1998).…”

“…The prevalence of CAM use among cancer patients ranges from 7 to 64% of patients sampled in 26 studies worldwide (Moschen et al, 2001). The range and availability of complementary therapies is larger in Melbourne than in Turku, and so was the use of them among Australian patients.…”

“…It is important to obtain all necessary information on alternative approaches and their potential effects and interference with the approach taken by the physician and the care team. Interventions that promote patients' beliefs in diet and health associations can encourage healthful dietary change (Moschen et al, 2001), and help to avoid potentially harmful preparations and procedures recommended through, for example advertising and commercial sources. Intervention studies are encouraged to counteract the negative effects related to treatment and disease, since certain dietary components may be more beneficial than others (Marshall, 1999;Rock et al, 2001).…”