Recorded presentation

Michael S. Goldstein, PhD¹, E. Richard Brown, PhD¹, Jennifer Lee, MPH¹, Rachel Ballard-Barbash, MD, MPH², and Anita Ambs, MPH³. (1) Department of Community Health Sciences, Universtiy of California, Los Angeles, School of Public Health, 10833 Le Conte Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90095, 310-825-5116, msgoldst@ucla.edu, (2) Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, Applied Research Program, National Cancer Institute, Executive Plaza North MSC 7344, Room 4009A, Bethesda, MD 20892, (3) Applied Research Program, National Cancer Institute, 6130 Executive Blvd., Bethesda, MD 20892

Existing knowledge about why some individuals with cancer use CAM while others do not is of limited value because it derives largely from studies done in clinically based settings. The data reported here, from the California Health Interview Study-CAM Supplement, provides an opportunity to examine this issue in a sample of 2,071 adults with cancer who are drawn from a larger sample that accurately reflects the heterogenous population of the state in terms of age, race/ethnicity, rural-urban location, etc. The telephone survey was administered in English, Spanish, Chinese and Korean. The use of 32 types of CAM and 31 dietary supplements was assessed, as well as information on frequency and recency of CAM use, perceived efficacy, and the sharing of information with one's physician. Extensive background data on demographics,immigration status, access to care, health status/behavior, and other factors was also collected. We find that overall use of CAM by those with cancer is high, but that utilization varies considerably by the type of CAM used. While the predictors of CAM use (education, income, religiosity, prior CAM use for other chronic problems) are similar for most types of CAM used by those with cancer, the relative importance of these factors differs significantly according to which specific type of CAM is used.

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