The Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine by Korean Breast Cancer Women: Is It Associated with Severity of Symptoms?
Joint Authors
Hwang, Jung Hye
Kim, Woon-Yong
Ahmed, Mansoor
Choi, Soojeung
Kim, Jiwoo
Han, Dong Woon
Source
Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Issue
Vol. 2015, Issue 2015 (31 Dec. 2015), pp.1-7, 7 p.
Publisher
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
Publication Date
2015-12-03
Country of Publication
Egypt
No. of Pages
7
Main Subjects
Abstract EN
Background.
Use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) among patients with breast cancer could be associated with severity of the cancer symptoms experienced, but there is little evidence to prove this.
This study tried to investigate any difference in the severity of breast cancer symptoms between CAM users and nonusers.
Methods.
The study followed cross-sectional design using structured survey questionnaire.
Survey participants were recruited from four different healthcare settings in Seoul, South Korea.
The survey instrument comprised 39 items including questions on demographics, use of CAM, and six main symptoms associated with breast cancer and cancer treatment.
Results.
Out of 288 participants, 67% stated using one or more modalities of CAM.
Age, education, and time duration since diagnosis of cancer were significantly associated with use of CAM.
About 90% of the CAM users experienced side effects of cancer treatment.
CAM users reported more severe anxiety and skin/hair changes than nonusers.
Conclusions.
CAM was used by those breast cancer patients who experience more severe symptoms to alleviate the conditions associated with breast cancer and cancer treatment.
Our findings revealed motivation behind the CAM use, which has profound implications for clinicians to recognize patient-perceived needs.
American Psychological Association (APA)
Hwang, Jung Hye& Kim, Woon-Yong& Ahmed, Mansoor& Choi, Soojeung& Kim, Jiwoo& Han, Dong Woon. 2015. The Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine by Korean Breast Cancer Women: Is It Associated with Severity of Symptoms?. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine،Vol. 2015, no. 2015, pp.1-7.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1061213
Modern Language Association (MLA)
Hwang, Jung Hye…[et al.]. The Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine by Korean Breast Cancer Women: Is It Associated with Severity of Symptoms?. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine No. 2015 (2015), pp.1-7.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1061213
American Medical Association (AMA)
Hwang, Jung Hye& Kim, Woon-Yong& Ahmed, Mansoor& Choi, Soojeung& Kim, Jiwoo& Han, Dong Woon. The Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine by Korean Breast Cancer Women: Is It Associated with Severity of Symptoms?. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2015. Vol. 2015, no. 2015, pp.1-7.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1061213
Data Type
Journal Articles
Language
English
Notes
Includes bibliographical references
Record ID
BIM-1061213