The use of acupuncture and other complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) modalities among patients with cancer is increasing. However, there are no recent Australian estimates of the numbers of patients using these therapies.
Objective:
The aim of this research was to explore the use of acupuncture and other CAMs in Australian women with breast cancer.
Design:
The study was a survey.
Setting:
The research took place at medical oncology clinic at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
Patients:
The respondents were 100 women with breast cancer.
Main Outcome Measure:
Prevalence of acupuncture use was examined.
Results:
The prevalence of overall CAM use was 73%, of which 30% was acupuncture use. Of acupuncture users (n=30), 43% had only used acupuncture after their diagnosis; 50% used acupuncture for cancer-related symptoms or treatment-related effects; and 50% for non–cancer related symptoms. The main reason for using acupuncture was to reduce symptoms (67%). The majority of women (77%) had not revealed their acupuncture use to their medical oncologists. Of all respondents (N=100), 71% indicated that they would consider using acupuncture if it was offered free of cost.
Conclusions:
A substantial proportion of patients with breast cancer use acupuncture and other CAMs. Discussion of CAM during medical consultations may contribute to substantial improvements in patient care.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). Cancer in Australia: An Overview. Bruce, ACT, Australia: AIHW, 2006.
2.
National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre. Breast Sancer Statistics. www.nbocc.org.au. 2010 November 1.
3.
BegbieSD, KerestesZL, BellDR. Patterns of alternative medicine use by cancer patients. Med J Aust., 1996; 165,10:545–548.
4.
KremserT, EvansA, MooreA, LuxfordKet al.Use of complementary therapies by Australian women with breast cancer. Breast., 2008; 17,4:387–394.
5.
RichardsonMA, SandersT, PalmerJL, GreisingerA, SingletarySE. Complementary/alternative medicine use in a comprehensive cancer center and the implications for oncology. J Clin Oncol., 2000; 18,13:2505–2514.
6.
MolassiotisA, Fernandez-OrtegaP, PudD, OzdenGet al.Use of complementary and alternative medicine in cancer patients: A European survey. Ann Oncol., 2005; 16,4:655–663.
MillerM, BoyerMJ, ButowPN, GattellariM, DunnSM, ChildsA. The use of unproven methods of treatment by cancer patients: Frequency, expectations and cost. Support Care Cancer., 1998; 6,4:337–347.
9.
ReesRW, FeigelI, VickersA, ZollmanC, McGurkR, SmithC. Prevalence of complementary therapy use by women with breast cancer: A population-based survey. Eur J Cancer Care., 2000; 36,11:1359–1364.
10.
GirgisA, AdamsJ, SibbrittD. The use of complementary and alternative therapies by patients with cancer. Oncol Res., 2005; 15,5:281–289.
11.
BoonH, StewartM, KennardMA, GrayRet al.Use of complementary/alternative medicine by breast cancer survivors in Ontario: Prevalence and perceptions. J Clin Oncol., 2000; 18,13:2515–2521.
12.
BalneavesLG, BottorffJL, HislopTG, HerbertC. Levels of commitment: Exploring complementary therapy use by women with breast cancer. J Altern Complement Med., 2006; 12,5:459–466.
13.
AshikagaT, BosompraK, O'BrienP, NelsonL. Use of complementary and alternative medicine by breast cancer patients: Prevalence, patterns and communication with physicians. Support Care Cancer., 2002; 10,7:542–548.
14.
GertzMA, BauerBA. Caring (really) for patients who use alternative therapies for cancer. J Clin Oncol., 2001; 19,23:4346–4349.
15.
MorrisKT, JohnsonN, HomerL, WaltsD. A comparison of complementary therapy use between breast cancer patients and patients with other primary tumor sites. Am J Surg., 2000; 179,5:407–411.
16.
LaffertyWE, BellasA, Corage BadenA, TyreePT, StandishLJ, PattersonR. The use of complementary and alternative medical providers by insured cancer patients in Washington state. Cancer., 2004; 100,7:1522–1530.
17.
SaxeGA, MadlenskyL, KealeyS, WuDP, FreemanKL, PierceJP. Disclosure to physicians of CAM use by breast cancer patients: Findings from the Women's Healthy Eating and Living Study. Integr Cancer Ther., 2008; 7,3:122–129.
18.
MehlingWE, JacobsB, AcreeM, WilsonLet al.Symptom management with massage and acupuncture in postoperative cancer patients: A randomized controlled trial. J Pain Symptom Manage., 2007; 33,3:258–266.
19.
ShenJ, WengerN, GlaspyJ, HaysRD, AlbertPS, ChoiC, ShekellePG. Electroacupuncture for control of myeloablative chemotherapy-induced emesis: A randomized controlled trial. JAMA., 2000; 284,21:2755–2761.
20.
LuW, Dean-ClowerE, Doherty-GilmanA, RosenthalDS. The value of acupuncture in cancer care. Hematol Oncol Clin North Am., 2008; 22,4:631–648.
21.
WalkerEM, RodriguezAI, KohnB, BallRMet al.Acupuncture versus venlafaxine for the management of vasomotor symptoms in patients with hormone receptor–positive breast cancer: A randomized controlled trial. J Clin Oncol., 2010; 28,4:634–640.
22.
de ValoisBA, YoungTE, RobinsonN, McCourtC, MaherEJ. Using traditional acupuncture for breast cancer–related hot flashes and night sweats. J Altern Complement Med., 2010; 16,10:1047–1057.
23.
MolassiotisA, SyltP, DigginsH. The management of cancer-related fatigue after chemotherapy with acupuncture and acupressure: A randomised controlled trial. Complement Ther Med., 2007; 15,4:228–237.
24.
AlimiD, RubinoC, Pichard-LeandriE, Fermand-BruleS, Dubreuil-LemaireM-L, HillC. Analgesic effect of auricular acupuncture for cancer pain: A randomized, blinded, controlled trial. J Clin Oncol., 2003; 21,22:4120–4126.
25.
CrewKD, CapodiceJL, GreenleeH, BrafmanLet al.Randomized, blinded, sham-controlled trial of acupuncture for the management of aromatase inhibitor-associated joint symptoms in women with early-stage breast cancer. J Clin Oncol., 2010; 28,7:1154–1160.
26.
Dean-ClowerE, Doherty-GilmanAM, KeshaviahA, BakerFet al.Acupuncture as palliative therapy for physical symptoms and quality of life for advanced cancer patients. Integr Cancer Ther., 2010; 9,2:158–167.
27.
StandishLJ, KozakL, CongdonS. Acupuncture is underutilized in hospice and palliative medicine. Am J Hosp Palliat Care., 2008; 25,4:298–308.
28.
JohnstonePA, PolstonGR, NiemtzowRC, MartinPJ. Integration of acupuncture into the oncology clinic. Palliat Med., 2002; 16,3:235–239.
29.
LengG. A year of acupuncture in palliative care. Palliat Med., 1999; 13,2:163–164.
30.
American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts & Figures 2009. Atlandta, GA: American Cancer Society, 2009.
31.
Cancer Institute NSW. Review of Access to Complementary Therapies in NSW Cancer Services. 2009. www.cancerinstitute.org.au[cited 2010 7 Oct];
32.
OkenMM, CreechRH, TormeyDC, HortonJ, DavisTE, McFaddenET, CarbonePP. Toxicity and response criteria of the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group. Am J Clin Oncol., 1982; 5,6:649–655.
33.
OhB, ButowP, MullanB, ClarkeSet al.Patient–doctor communication: The use of complementary and alternative medicine by adult patients with cancer. J Soc Integr Oncol., 2010; 8,2:56–64.
34.
MontazeriA, SajadianA, EbrahimiM, HaghighatS, HarirchiI. Factors predicting the use of complementary and alternative therapies among cancer patients in Iran. Eur J Cancer Care., 2007; 16,2:144–149.
35.
XueCCL, ZhangAL, LinV, Da CostaC, StoryDF. Complementary and alternative medicine use in Australia: A national population-based survey. J Altern Complement Med., 2007; 13,6:643–650.
36.
MillerM, BoyerMJ, ButowPN, GattellariM, DunnSM, ChildsA. The use of unproven methods of treatment by cancer patients: Frequency, expectations and cost. Support Care Cancer., 1998; 6,4:337–347.
37.
FouladbakhshJM, StommelM, GivenBA, GivenCW. Predictors of use of complementary and alternative therapies among patients with cancer. Oncol Nurs Forum., 32,6:1115–1122.
38.
PaltielO, AvitzourM, PeretzT. Determinants of the use of complementary therapies by patients with cancer. J Clin Oncol., 2001; 19,9:2439–2448.
39.
AdlerSR. Complementary and alternative medicine use among women with breast cancer. Med Anthropol Q., 1999; 13,2:214–222.
40.
MetzJM, JonesH, DevineP, HahnS, GlatsteinE. Cancer patients use unconventional medical therapies far more frequently than standard history and physical examination suggest. Cancer J., 2001; 7,2:149–154.
41.
GoldsteinMS, LeeJH, Ballard-BarbashR, BrownER. The use and perceived benefit of complementary and alternative medicine among Californians with cancer. Psychooncology., 2008; 17,1:19–25.
42.
RobertsCS, BakerF, HannD, RunfolaJet al.Patient–physician communication regarding use of complementary therapies during cancer treatment. J Psychosoc Oncol., 2005; 23,4:35–60.
43.
JuraskovaI, HegedusL, ButowP, SmithA, SchofieldP. Discussing complementary therapy use with early-stage breast cancer patients: Exploring the communication gap. Integr Cancer Ther., 2010; 9,2:168–176.
44.
LernerIJ, KennedyBJ. The prevalence of questionable methods of cancer treatment in the United States. CA Cancer J Clin., 1992; 42,3:181–191.
45.
MolassiotisA, ScottJA, KearneyN, PudDet al.Complementary and alternative medicine use in breast cancer patients in Europe. Support Care Cancer., 2006; 14,3:260–267.
46.
CuiY, ShuXO, GaoY, WenW, RuanZX, JinF, ZhengW. Use of complementary and alternative medicine by Chinese women with breast cancer. Breast Cancer Res Treat., 2004; 85,3:263–270.
47.
MontazeriA, SajadianA, EbrahimiM, AkbariME. Depression and the use of complementary medicine among breast cancer patients. Support Care Cancer., 2005; 13,5:339–342.
48.
EschitiVS. A model of CAM use by women with female-specific cancers. J Psychosoc Nurs Ment Health Serv., 2008; 46,12:50–57.
