The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #58029

Oluwadamilola O. Olaku, MBBS¹, Akinlolu Ojumu, MBBS¹, and Emmanuel A. Taylor, MSc, DrPH². (1) Public Health, Morgan State University, 1700E. Coldspring Lane, Jenkins Hall, Baltimore, MD 21251, 443-885-3133, Olaku1@aol.com, (2) Associate Professor of Epidemiology, Morgan State University, 1700 East Cold Spring Lane, Jenkins Bldg., Suite 351, Baltimore, MD 21251

Cervical cancer is an important health problem worldwide. In 2002,the American Cancer Society (ACS) estimates that about 13,000 cases of invasive cervical cancer would be diagnosed in the United States, and that about 4,100 women would die from the disease in the United States. According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), currently the highest age-adjusted incidence of the disease in the United States occurs among Vietnamese women. There has been an increasing trend in the use of alternative medicine in the United States and the literature suggests that about 60% of users are not informing their physicians. There is little evidence in the literature describing the use of herbs and vitamin by ethnic minority women with cervical cancer. Findings from a meta-analysis of existing literature will be presented about the extent of herb-vitamin use among minority women with cervical cancer. Given the number of patients combining vitamins and herbs with conventional treatments, the presentation will educate the oncology community about approaches for improving patient-provider communication and how to offer reliable information to patients about the medical implications of use of herbs and vitamins.

Learning Objectives:

• The participants will be educated about the types of vitamins and herbs used by ethnic minority women with cervical cancer and the difference in use between the ethnic groups. At the conclusion of the session, the participants will be able to discuss the common herbs and vitamin used in the treatment of cervical cancer and the evidence available to support such use.

Keywords: Cervical Cancer, Ethnic Minorities

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.