T Risberg1, E Wist, R M Bremnes. 1. Institute of Community Medicine, University Hospital of Tromsø, Norway.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to investigate patients' attitudes to and use of nonproven therapies (NPTs) in view of their opinions about causes of cancer. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A comparative questionnaire-based study was given to patients with non-malignant disease (n = 305) seen in general practice and cancer patients (n = 252) seen at the Department of Oncology, University Hospital of Tromsø. RESULTS: Among non-cancer patients significantly more NPT-positive than NPT-negative patients considered the environment to be an important cancer cause (74% versus 52%) and that food and drink may be carcinogenic (57% versus 40%). For cancer patients, there was no such difference. 60% of non-cancer patients and 35% of cancer patients believed that life style changes could alter the natural course of cancer. In both groups of patients, the NPT-positive believed, to a higher degree than the NPT-negative, that the outcome of cancer could be improved by a change in life style (69% and 48% versus 53% and 29%). CONCLUSION: Patients positive to NPTs have firmer beliefs with respect to the importance of environmental factors than non-believers/-users. Moreover, these patients believed more strongly than NPT-negative patients that change of lifestyle may influence the outcome of cancer positively.
BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to investigate patients' attitudes to and use of nonproven therapies (NPTs) in view of their opinions about causes of cancer. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A comparative questionnaire-based study was given to patients with non-malignant disease (n = 305) seen in general practice and cancerpatients (n = 252) seen at the Department of Oncology, University Hospital of Tromsø. RESULTS: Among non-cancerpatients significantly more NPT-positive than NPT-negative patients considered the environment to be an important cancer cause (74% versus 52%) and that food and drink may be carcinogenic (57% versus 40%). For cancerpatients, there was no such difference. 60% of non-cancerpatients and 35% of cancerpatients believed that life style changes could alter the natural course of cancer. In both groups of patients, the NPT-positive believed, to a higher degree than the NPT-negative, that the outcome of cancer could be improved by a change in life style (69% and 48% versus 53% and 29%). CONCLUSION:Patients positive to NPTs have firmer beliefs with respect to the importance of environmental factors than non-believers/-users. Moreover, these patients believed more strongly than NPT-negative patients that change of lifestyle may influence the outcome of cancer positively.
Authors: Leah M Ferrucci; Brenda Cartmel; Yasemin E Turkman; Maura E Murphy; Tenbroeck Smith; Kevin D Stein; Ruth McCorkle Journal: J Psychosoc Oncol Date: 2011
Authors: Emily L B Lykins; Lili O Graue; Emily H Brechting; Abbey R Roach; Celestine G Gochett; Michael A Andrykowski Journal: Psychooncology Date: 2008-10 Impact factor: 3.894