PURPOSE: Complementary and alternative medicines (CAMS) are frequently used by patients with breast cancer and their use may be related to the presence of psychosocial distress. The objective of this study is to assess the presence of anxiety and depression in breast cancer patients who use CAM and assess how they perceive their risks of recurrence and dying from breast cancer compared to non-users. METHODS: Breast cancer patients attending ambulatory clinics at a single cancer center were approached by their oncologist. Participants completed a self-administered survey regarding CAM usage, beliefs associated with CAM, views of their risks of developing recurrent cancer, and of dying of breast cancer. The presence of anxiety and depression was scored using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Responses were scored and compared between CAM users and non-users. RESULTS: A total of 251 patients completed the survey. CAM usage was reported by 43% of patients. Individuals who used CAM were younger [53.1 versus 63.0 year (p < 0.001)], had higher education (p < 0.001), were more likely to have full time employment [25.7 versus 16.3% (p < 0.001)] and have private insurance for medications (76 versus 60%, p = 0.007) compared to non-users. CAM users perceived their risk of recurrence (p = 0.011) and death from breast cancer (p = 0.0001) as being significantly greater than non-users. There were no significant differences in anxiety or depression scores between CAM and non-users. CONCLUSION: CAM use is associated with an increased perception of breast cancer recurrence and of breast cancer-related death. There was no association between the presence of anxiety or depression and CAM use. Improved patient understanding of actual risks of recurrence and death are required such that women will be able to make more informed decisions about using CAMs.
PURPOSE: Complementary and alternative medicines (CAMS) are frequently used by patients with breast cancer and their use may be related to the presence of psychosocial distress. The objective of this study is to assess the presence of anxiety and depression in breast cancerpatients who use CAM and assess how they perceive their risks of recurrence and dying from breast cancer compared to non-users. METHODS:Breast cancerpatients attending ambulatory clinics at a single cancer center were approached by their oncologist. Participants completed a self-administered survey regarding CAM usage, beliefs associated with CAM, views of their risks of developing recurrent cancer, and of dying of breast cancer. The presence of anxiety and depression was scored using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Responses were scored and compared between CAM users and non-users. RESULTS: A total of 251 patients completed the survey. CAM usage was reported by 43% of patients. Individuals who used CAM were younger [53.1 versus 63.0 year (p < 0.001)], had higher education (p < 0.001), were more likely to have full time employment [25.7 versus 16.3% (p < 0.001)] and have private insurance for medications (76 versus 60%, p = 0.007) compared to non-users. CAM users perceived their risk of recurrence (p = 0.011) and death from breast cancer (p = 0.0001) as being significantly greater than non-users. There were no significant differences in anxiety or depression scores between CAM and non-users. CONCLUSION:CAM use is associated with an increased perception of breast cancer recurrence and of breast cancer-related death. There was no association between the presence of anxiety or depression and CAM use. Improved patient understanding of actual risks of recurrence and death are required such that women will be able to make more informed decisions about using CAMs.
Authors: Ana Camila Callado Alfano; Carlos Eduardo Paiva; Fernanda Capella Rugno; Raquel Haas da Silva; Bianca Sakamoto Ribeiro Paiva Journal: Support Care Cancer Date: 2013-12-17 Impact factor: 3.603
Authors: Andrea Saini; Alfredo Berruti; Serena Capogna; Manuela Negro; Erica Sguazzotti; Rocco Luigi Picci; Sara Campagna; Vincenzo Dongiovanni; Luigi Dogliotti; Pier Maria Furlan; Luca Ostacoli Journal: Qual Life Res Date: 2010-11-16 Impact factor: 4.147
Authors: Cynthia D Myers; Paul B Jacobsen; Yifan Huang; Marlene H Frost; Christi A Patten; James R Cerhan; Thomas A Sellers Journal: Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev Date: 2008-06-09 Impact factor: 4.254
Authors: Jun J Mao; Steve C Palmer; Joseph B Straton; Peter F Cronholm; Shimrit Keddem; Kathryn Knott; Marjorie A Bowman; Frances K Barg Journal: J Cancer Surviv Date: 2008-04-15 Impact factor: 4.442