Skip to main content

Advertisement

Log in

Complementary and alternative medicine use is associated with an increased perception of breast cancer risk and death

  • Report
  • Published:
Breast Cancer Research and Treatment Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose. Complementary and alternative medicines (CAMS) are frequently used by patients with breast cancer and their use may be related to the presence of psychosocial distress. The objective of this study is to assess the presence of anxiety and depression in breast cancer patients who use CAM and assess how they perceive their risks of recurrence and dying from breast cancer compared to non-users.

Methods. Breast cancer patients attending ambulatory clinics at a single cancer center were approached by their oncologist. Participants completed a self-administered survey regarding CAM usage, beliefs associated with CAM, views of their risks of developing recurrent cancer, and of dying of breast cancer. The presence of anxiety and depression was scored using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Responses were scored and compared between CAM users and non-users.

Results. A total of 251 patients completed the survey. CAM usage was reported by 43% of patients. Individuals who used CAM were younger [53.1 versus 63.0 year (p < 0.001)], had higher education (p < 0.001), were more likely to have full time employment [25.7 versus 16.3% (p < 0.001)] and have private insurance for medications (76 versus 60%, p=0.007) compared to non-users. CAM users perceived their risk of recurrence (p = 0.011) and death from breast cancer (p=0.0001) as being significantly greater than non-users. There were no significant differences in anxiety or depression scores between CAM and non-users.

Conclusion. CAM use is associated with an increased perception of breast cancer recurrence and of breast cancer-related death. There was no association between the presence of anxiety or depression and CAM use. Improved patient understanding of actual risks of recurrence and death are required such that women will be able to make more informed decisions about using CAMs.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. H Boon M Stewart MA Kennard R Gray C Sawka JB Brown C McWilliam A Gavin RA Baron D Aaron T Haines-Kamka (2000) ArticleTitleUse of complementary/alternative medicine by breast cancer survivors in Ontario: prevalence and perceptions J Clin Oncol 18 2515–2521 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DC%2BD3czlt1SnsQ%3D%3D Occurrence Handle10893281

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. HJ Burstein (2000) ArticleTitleDiscussing complementary therapies with cancer patients: what should we be talking about J Clin Oncol 18 IssueID13 2501–2504 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DC%2BD3czlt1Snsw%3D%3D Occurrence Handle10893279

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. BR Cassileth (1999) ArticleTitleComplementary and alternative cancer medicine J Clin Oncol 17 44–52 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DC%2BD3c%2FpsFOhtA%3D%3D Occurrence Handle10630262

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. MA Richardson T Sanders JL Palmer A Greisinger SE Singletary (2000) ArticleTitleComplementary/alternative medicine use in a comprehensive cancer center and the implications for oncology J Clin Oncol 18 IssueID13 2505–2514 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DC%2BD3czlt1SnsA%3D%3D Occurrence Handle10893280

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. IA Malik S Gopalan (2003) ArticleTitleUse of CAM results in delay in seeking medical advice for breast cancer Eur J Epidemiol 18 IssueID8 817–822 Occurrence Handle12974558

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. A Sparreboom MC Cox MR Acharya WD Figg (2004) ArticleTitleHerbal remedies in the United States: potential adverse interactions with anticancer agents J Clin Oncol 22 IssueID12 2489–2503 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2cXpsVWksrs%3D Occurrence Handle15197212

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. JS Markowitz JL Donovan CL DeVane RM Taylor Y Ruan JS Wang KD Chavin (2003) ArticleTitleEffect of St. John’s Wort on drug metabolism by induction of cytochrome P450 3A4 enzyme. JAMA 290 IssueID11 1500–1504 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3sXntlCmsbg%3D Occurrence Handle13129991

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. RH Mathijssen J Verweij P Bruijn Particlede WJ Loos A Sparreboom (2002) ArticleTitleEffects of St. John’s wort on irinotecan metabolism. J Nat Cancer Inst 94 IssueID16 1247–1249 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD38XntVyjsL8%3D Occurrence Handle12189228

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. PJ Mansky SE Straus (2002) ArticleTitleSt. John’s Wort: more implications for cancer patients. JNCI Cancer Spectrum 94 IssueID16 1187–1188 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD38XntVyjs7k%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. HJ Burstein S Gelber E Guadagnoli JC Weeks (1999) ArticleTitleUse of alternative medicine by women with early-stage breast cancer New Engl J Med 340 IssueID22 1733–1739 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DyaK1M3mtVOjtA%3D%3D Occurrence Handle10352166

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. PA Ganz KA Desmond B Leedham JH Rowland BE Meyerowitz TR Belin (2002) ArticleTitleQuality of life in long-term, disease-free survivors of breast cancer: a follow-up study JNCI Cancer Spectrum 94 IssueID1 39–49

    Google Scholar 

  12. P Mehta J Rodrigue C Nejame R Gaa JR Wingard (2000) ArticleTitleAcquiescence to adjunctive experimental therapies may relate to psychological distress: pilot data from a bone marrow transplant center Bone Marrow Transpl 25 IssueID6 673–676 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DC%2BD3c3gtVaksw%3D%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. E Rakovitch E Franssen J Kim I Ackerman JP Pignol L Paszat KI Pritchard C Ho DA Redelmeier (2003) ArticleTitleA comparison of risk perception and psychological morbidity in women with ductal carcinoma in situ and early invasive breast cancer Breast Cancer Res Tr 77 IssueID3 285–293

    Google Scholar 

  14. AS Zigmond RP Snaith (1983) ArticleTitleThe hospital anxiety and depression scale Acta Psychiat Scand 67 IssueID6 361–370 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DyaL3s3nvFWjug%3D%3D Occurrence Handle6880820

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. LM DiGianni JE Garber EP Winer (2002) ArticleTitleComplementary and alternative medicine use among women with breast cancer. J Clin Oncol 20 IssueID18 34S–38S Occurrence Handle12235222

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. MA Gertz BA Bauer (2001) ArticleTitleCaring (really) for patients who use alternative therapies for cancer J Clin Oncol 19 IssueID23 4346–4349 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DC%2BD3MnosFWntA%3D%3D Occurrence Handle11731520

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. ET Creagan CG Moertel JR O’Fallon AJ Schutt MJ O’Connell J Rubin S Frytak (1979) ArticleTitleFailure of high-dose vitamin C (ascorbic acid) therapy to benefit patients with advanced cancer. A controlled trial. New Engl J Med 301 IssueID13 687–690 Occurrence Handle10.1056/NEJM197909273011303 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DyaL3c%2FhtFClsA%3D%3D Occurrence Handle384241

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. CG Moertel TR Fleming ET Creagan J Rubin MJ O’Connell MM Ames (1985) ArticleTitleHigh-dose vitamin C versus placebo in the treatment of patients with advanced cancer who have had no prior chemotherapy. A randomized double-blind comparison. New Engl J Med 312 IssueID3 137–141 Occurrence Handle10.1056/NEJM198501173120301 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DyaL2M%2Fos1WgtQ%3D%3D Occurrence Handle3880867

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. WC Black RFJ Nease AN Tosteson (1995) ArticleTitlePerceptions of breast cancer risk and screening effectiveness in women younger than 50 years of age J Natl Cancer Inst 87 IssueID10 720–731 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DyaK28%2FgtFehsA%3D%3D Occurrence Handle7563149

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. M Markman (2002) ArticleTitleSafety issues in using complementary and alternative medicine. J Clin Oncol 20 IssueID18 39S–41S Occurrence Handle12235223

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. AV D’Amico G Toupless L Lopes KJ Valentine RA Cormack CM Tempany S Kumar PJ Marks (2002) ArticleTitleSelf-administration of untested medical therapy for treatment of prostate cancer can lead to clinically significant adverse events. Int J Radia Oncol Biol Phys 54 IssueID5 1311–1313

    Google Scholar 

  22. N Dunlap GG Schwartz D Eads SD Cramer AB Sherk V John C Koumenio (2003) ArticleTitle1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) (calcitriol) and its analogue, 19-nor-1alpha,25(OH)(2)D(2), potentiate the effects of ionising radiation on human prostate cancer cells Brit J Cancer 89 IssueID4 746–753 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3sXmtFKqsbY%3D Occurrence Handle12915889

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Eileen Rakovitch.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Rakovitch, E., Pignol, JP., Chartier, C. et al. Complementary and alternative medicine use is associated with an increased perception of breast cancer risk and death. Breast Cancer Res Treat 90, 139–148 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10549-004-3779-1

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10549-004-3779-1

Keywords

Navigation