Abusanad Atlal, Ujaimi Reem, Alotaibi Marah A, Alharbi Lama A, Alatawi Nouf, Algarni Abeer A, Samkari Ali
Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University (KAUH), Jeddah, SAU.
Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University (KAUH), Jeddah, SAU.
Cureus. 2024 Jan 15;16(1):e52282. doi: 10.7759/cureus.52282. eCollection 2024 Jan.
Complementary and integrative medicine (CAM) is a prevalent approach often used with conventional medical practices The study aims to understand the factors influencing breast cancer (BC) survivors' decisions regarding CAM therapy and the drivers behind their use.
This research was conducted at an academic hospital in Saudi Arabia. The study used cross-sectional research with a questionnaire. Participants were enrolled in the study through BC survivors' groups on WhatsApp. Individuals who were actively following up at the clinic were also interviewed. Informed consent was obtained.
The study surveyed 211 BC survivors, aged 34-49 (50.2%), who had undergone surgery (93.4%), hormonal therapy (66.4%), and chemotherapy (87.7%). Less than half (44.5%) had chronic conditions such as diabetes and hypertension. CAM users were 43.6%. The most used CAM modalities were Zamzam water, honey, and water read-upon Quran. A significant motivator for CAM use was to boost the immune system. More than half of patients used less than 100 SAR per month on CAM modalities. Exactly 80.4% of CAM users perceived benefits from CAM use. Predictors of CAM use included higher family monthly income, radiation therapy, and being diagnosed from 1 to 5 years. BC survivors without medical conditions after diagnosis were less likely to use CAM.
The study highlights the prevalence, predictive factors, motivations, and perceived benefits of CAM use among BC survivors in Saudi Arabia, emphasizing the need for understanding and integration into cancer care plans and the need for further research on CAM safety and efficacy.
补充与整合医学（CAM）是一种常与传统医疗实践结合使用的普遍方法。本研究旨在了解影响乳腺癌（BC）幸存者关于CAM疗法决策的因素及其使用背后的驱动因素。
本研究在沙特阿拉伯的一家学术医院进行。该研究采用问卷调查的横断面研究方法。通过WhatsApp上的乳腺癌幸存者群组招募参与者。还对在诊所积极随访的个体进行了访谈。获得了知情同意。
该研究调查了211名年龄在34 - 49岁（占50.2%）的乳腺癌幸存者，他们均接受过手术（93.4%）、激素治疗（66.4%）和化疗（87.7%）。不到一半（44.5%）的人患有糖尿病和高血压等慢性病。使用CAM的比例为43.6%。最常使用的CAM方式是渗渗泉水、蜂蜜和诵读《古兰经》的水。使用CAM的一个重要动机是增强免疫系统。超过一半的患者每月在CAM方式上的花费不到100沙特里亚尔。确切地说，80.4%的CAM使用者认为使用CAM有好处。使用CAM的预测因素包括家庭月收入较高、接受放射治疗以及确诊1至5年。诊断后无医疗状况的乳腺癌幸存者使用CAM的可能性较小。
该研究突出了沙特阿拉伯乳腺癌幸存者中CAM使用的普遍性、预测因素、动机及感知到的益处，强调了理解并将其纳入癌症护理计划的必要性，以及对CAM安全性和有效性进行进一步研究的必要性。
