Dissatisfaction with conventional treatment has been cited as a motivation to use alternative therapies. Data is presented on alternative therapy utilization among a sample of 166 women aged 42.3+5.3 years undergoing an initial course of chemotherapy for early stage breast cancer (NCI grant #CA64703). The majority were White, non-Hispanic (82.9%), with 7.3% African-American and 4.9% Hispanic. Most were married (62.7%) or in significant relationships (9.6%). Three-quarters were employed, 41.0% had college degrees and 39.3% had household incomes >$60,000. At baseline, several weeks after their first treatment, 36.1% indicated already trying and an additional 14.5% reported planning to try alternative therapies. These therapies included vitamin (52.4%), nutritional (45.2%), herbal (42.9%), physical (19.0%), mental (13.1%), and spiritual (6.0%) approaches. Four-months later, when most completed chemotherapy, 52.9% reported using with another 8.5% considering complementary therapies. Satisfaction with decision-making was measured at baseline with a 5-item index (range 5-20, higher scores indicate greater satisfaction, with an overall mean score of 15.6+3.4. Level of satisfaction with their medical oncologist was obtained at follow-up. Regression analysis controlling for sociodemographics and health behaviors revealed that younger women (p<.05) and those less satisfied with treatment decision-making (p<.05) were significantly more likely to use alternative therapies at baseline. Predicting use of complementary therapies at the four-month follow-up, besides baseline utilization (p<.001), only dissatisfaction with their medical oncologist was positively related (p<.05) when controlling for other variables. This research suggests that women dissatisfied with conventional breast cancer care may look to alternative therapies as a means to enhance positive health outcomes.
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Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.