Boon H, Stewart M, Kennard M A, Gray R, Sawka C, Brown J B, McWilliam C, Gavin A, Baron R A, Aaron D, Haines-Kamka T
Centre for Studies in Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
J Clin Oncol. 2000 Jul;18(13):2515-21. doi: 10.1200/JCO.2000.18.13.2515.
To determine the prevalence of use of complementary/alternative medicine (CAM) by breast cancer survivors in Ontario, Canada, and to compare the characteristics of CAM users and CAM nonusers.
A questionnaire was mailed to a random sample of Ontario women diagnosed with breast cancer in 1994 or 1995.
The response rate was 76.3%. Overall, 66.7% of the respondents reported using CAM, most often in an attempt to boost the immune system. CAM practitioners (most commonly chiropractors, herbalists, acupuncturists, traditional Chinese medicine practitioners, and/or naturopathic practitioners) were visited by 39.4% of the respondents. In addition, 62.0% reported use of CAM products (most frequently vitamins/minerals, herbal medicines, green tea, special foods, and essiac). Almost one half of the respondents informed their physicians of their use of CAM. Multiple logistic regression analysis determined that support group attendance was the only factor significantly associated with CAM use.
CAM use is common among Canadian breast cancer survivors, many of whom are discussing CAM therapy options with their physicians. Knowledge of CAM therapies is necessary for physicians and other health care practitioners to help patients make informed choices. CAM use may play a role in the positive benefits associated with support group attendance.
确定加拿大安大略省乳腺癌幸存者使用补充和替代医学（CAM）的流行情况，并比较CAM使用者和非使用者的特征。
向1994年或1995年被诊断为乳腺癌的安大略省女性随机样本邮寄调查问卷。
回复率为76.3%。总体而言，66.7%的受访者报告使用CAM，最常见的是试图增强免疫系统。39.4%的受访者拜访过CAM从业者（最常见的是脊椎按摩师、草药师、针灸师、中医从业者和/或自然疗法从业者）。此外，62.0%的受访者报告使用过CAM产品（最常见的是维生素/矿物质、草药、绿茶、特殊食品和Essiac）。近一半的受访者告知医生他们使用CAM的情况。多元逻辑回归分析确定参加支持小组是与使用CAM显著相关的唯一因素。
CAM在加拿大乳腺癌幸存者中使用普遍，其中许多人正在与医生讨论CAM治疗方案。医生和其他医疗保健从业者了解CAM疗法对于帮助患者做出明智选择是必要的。使用CAM可能在与参加支持小组相关的积极益处中发挥作用。
