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Beliefs and experiences of breast cancer patients about the use of complementary therapies: A qualitative study

Year 2020, Volume: 45 Issue: 2, 629 - 638, 30.06.2020
https://doi.org/10.17826/cumj.699833

Abstract

Purpose: Breast cancer patients prefer to use complementary therapies (CT) along with medical treatment to improve their health. However, patients don’t share detailed information regarding the use of CT with healthcare professionals. The aim of this study is to examine the beliefs and experiences of breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy regarding the use of CT.
Materials and Methods: Individual interviews were conducted with 11 breast cancer patients through a semi-structured interview form in June-July 2019. Six-phase thematic analysis was used to analyze the data.
Results: Three main themes were identified in the study: Types of CT used, CT preferences, and positive experiences. In terms of CT types, patients use natural products, and mind and body practices. Patients prefer these methods to prevent the progression of the disease, not to use medical drugs, reduce the side effects of the treatment, or because they don’t believe in the therapeutic effect of chemotherapy. Physiological recovery and immunity enhancement are among the positive experiences after the use of CT. Patients continue to use these methods because they have positive experiences related to the use of CT.
Conclusion: Breast cancer patients mostly prefer natural products followed by mind and body practices. Patients receive very little guidance from healthcare professionals regarding the use of CT and prefer to use social communication resources for such information. Advices given by oncology physicians and nurses to the patients in the light of the current evidence-based literature whether to continue using CT are crucial for the health of the patient.

References

  • 1. WHO. Cancer Today Data visualization tools for exploring the global cancer burden in 2018. http://gco.iarc.fr/today/home (accessed January 15, 2020).
  • 2. Bellanger M, Zeinomar N, Tehranifar P, Terry MB. Are global breast cancer incidence and mortality patterns related to country-specific economic development and prevention strategies? J Glob Oncol. 2018;(4):1-16.
  • 3. T.C. Sağlık Bakanlığı. Kanser tedavileri nelerdir. https://hsgm.saglik.gov.tr/tr/kanser-tedavisi (accessed January 15, 2020).
  • 4. Oylar Ö, Tekin İ. Kanserin teşhis ve tedavisinde nanoteknolojinin önemi. Uludağ Üniversitesi Mühendislik-Mimarlık Fakültesi Dergisi. 2011;16(1):147-54.
  • 5. NCCIH. Complementary, alternative, or integrative health: what’s in a name? https://nccih.nih.gov/health/integrative-health#hed1 (accessed May 13, 2019).
  • 6. European Federation for Complementary and Alternative Medicine [EFCAM]. CAM definition. http://www.efcam.eu/cam/cam-definition/ (accessed July 18, 2019).
  • 7. Chui PL, Abdullah KL, Wong LP, Taib NA. Complementary and alternative medicine use and symptom burden in women undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer in Malaysia. Cancer Nurs. 2018;41(3):189-99.
  • 8. Yeşil H, Kiran B, Alkan H, Ateş B, Kayali B, Büyükçam S, et al. Afyon Kocatepe Üniversitesi’nde meme kanseri tanısı ile takip edilmekte olan hastalarda tamamlayıcı ve alternatif tedavi kullanımı. Kocatepe Medical Journal. 2018;19:42-7.
  • 9. Kurt H, Keşkek ŞÖ, Çil T, Canataroğlu A. Meme kanserli hastalarda tamamlayıcı/ alternatif tedavi kullanımı. Turkish Journal of Oncology. 2013;28(1):10-5.
  • 10. Hwang JH, Kim WY, Ahmed M, Choi S, Kim J, Han DW. The use of complementary and alternative medicine by Korean breast cancer women: is it associated with severity of symptoms? Evidence-based Complement Altern Med. 2015;2015:1-7.
  • 11. Henneghan AM, Harrison T. Complementary and alternative medicine therapies as symptom management strategies for the late effects of breast cancer treatment. J Holist Nurs. 2015;33(1):84-97.
  • 12. Wu HJ, Tai CJ, Tai CJ, Chien LY. Symptom severity, symptom interference and use of complementary and alternative medicine among survivors of colorectal and breast cancer after curative treatment in Taiwan. Eur J Cancer Care. 2019;28(1):1-10.
  • 13. Wanchai A, Armer JM, Stewart BR. Complementary and alternative medicine use among women with breast cancer: a systematic review. Clin J Oncol Nurs. 2010;14(4):E45-55.
  • 14. Mujar NMM, Dahlui M, Emran NA, Hadi IA, Wai YY, Arulanantham S, et al. Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use and delays in presentation and diagnosis of breast cancer patients in public hospitals in Malaysia. PLoS One. 2017;12(4):1-12.
  • 15. Arıkan F, Uçar MA, Kondak Y, Tekeli A, Kartöz F, Özcan K, et al. Reasons for complementary therapy use by cancer patients, information sources and communication with health professionals. Complement Ther Med. 2019;44:157-61.
  • 16. Firkins R, Eisfeld H, Keinki C, Buentzel J, Hochhaus A, Schmidt T, et al. The use of complementary and alternative medicine by patients in routine care and the risk of interactions. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol. 2018;144(3):551-7.
  • 17. Ben-Arye E, Samuels N, Goldstein LH, Mutafoglu K, Omran S, Schiff E, et al. Potential risks associated with traditional herbal medicine use in cancer care: a study of Middle Eastern oncology health care professionals. Cancer. 2016;122(4):598-610.
  • 18. Sweet E, Dowd F, Zhou M, Standish LJ, Andersen MR. The use of complementary and alternative medicine supplements of potential concern during breast cancer chemotherapy. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2016;2016:1-8.
  • 19. Erdoğan S, Nahcivan N, Esin N, editors. Hemşirelikte araştırma: süreç, uygulama ve kritik. 2nd ed., Nobel Tıp Kitabevi, 2015.
  • 20. Yıldırım A, Şimşek H. Sosyal bilimlerde nitel araştırma yöntemleri. 10th ed., Ankara, Seçkin Yayıncılık, 2016.
  • 21. Polit DF, Beck CT. Essentials of nursing research: appraising evidence for nursing practice. 7th ed., Philadelphia, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins, 2010.
  • 22. Yıldız İ, Özgüroglu M, Toptas T, Turna H, Şen F, Yıldız M. Patterns of complementary and alternative medicine use among Turkish cancer patients. J Palliat Med. 2013;16(4):383-90.
  • 23. Rossi E, Vita A, Baccetti S, Di Stefano M, Voller F, Zanobini A. Complementary and alternative medicine for cancer patients: results of the EPAAC survey on integrative oncology centres in Europe. Support Care Cancer. 2015;23(6):1795-806.
  • 24. Edwards G V, Aherne NJ, Horsley PJ, Benjamin LC, McLachlan CS, McKay MJ, et al. Prevalence of complementary and alternative therapy use by cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy. Asia Pac J Clin Oncol. 2014;10(4):346-53.
  • 25. Hunter D, Marinakis C, Salisbury R, Cray A, Oates R. Complementary therapy use in metropolitan and regional Australian radiotherapy centres; do patients report effective outcomes? Support Care Cancer. 2016;24(4):1803-11.
  • 26. Kim K, Kim SHH, Ok ON, Kim IR, Lee S, Kim SHH, et al. Use of complementary and alternative medicine by lymphoma survivors in South Korea. Eur J Oncol Nurs. 2018;33:91-6.
  • 27. Loquai C, Dechent D, Garzarolli M, Kaatz M, Kaehler KC, Kurschat P, et al. Use of complementary and alternative medicine: a multicenter cross-sectional study in 1089 melanoma patients. Eur J Cancer. 2017;71:70-9.
  • 28. Berretta M, Della Pepa C, Tralongo P, Fulvi A, Martellotta F, Lleshi A, et al. Use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in cancer patients: an Italian multicenter survey. Oncotarget. 2017;8(15):24401-14.
  • 29. Liu SH, Cheng YC. Old formula, new Rx: The journey of PHY906 as cancer adjuvant therapy. J Ethnopharmacol. 2012;140(3):614-23.
  • 30. Kay Garcia M, Mcquade J, Haddad R, Patel S, Lee R, Yang P, et al. Systematic review of acupuncture in cancer care: a synthesis of the evidence. J Clin Oncol. 2013;31(7):952-60.
  • 31. Chien TJ, Liu CY, Ko PH, Hsu CH. A Chinese decoction, Kuan-Sin-Yin, improves autonomic function and cancer-related symptoms of metastatic colon cancer. Integr Cancer Ther. 2016;15(1):113-23.
  • 32. Smith PJ, Clavarino A, Long J, Steadman KJ. Why do some cancer patients receiving chemotherapy choose to take complementary and alternative medicines and what are the risks? Asia Pac J Clin Oncol. 2014;10(1):1-10.
  • 33. Chung VCH, Wu X, Lu P, Hui EP, Zhang Y, Zhang AL, et al. Chinese herbal medicine for symptom management in cancer palliative care systematic review and meta-analysis. Medicine. 2016;95(7):e2793.
  • 34. Chakraborty R, Savani BN, Litzow M, Mohty M, Hashmi S. A perspective on complementary/alternative medicine use among survivors of hematopoietic stem cell transplant: benefits and uncertainties. Cancer. 2015;121(14):2303-13.
  • 35. Chang KH, Brodie R, Choong MA, Sweeney KJ, Kerin MJ. Complementary and alternative medicine use in oncology: a questionnaire survey of patients and health care professionals. BMC Cancer. 2011;11:1-9.
  • 36. Mustian KM, Sprod LK, Janelsins M, Peppone LJ, Palesh OG, Chandwani K, et al. Multicenter, randomized controlled trial of yoga for sleep quality among cancer survivors. J Clin Oncol. 2013;31(26):3233-41.
  • 37. Abuelgasim KA, Alsharhan Y, Alenzi T, Alhazzani A, Ali YZ, Jazieh AR. The use of complementary and alternative medicine by patients with cancer: across-sectional survey in Saudi Arabia. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2018;18(1):1-8.

Meme kanseri hastalarının tamamlayıcı tedavilerin kullanımına ilişkin inanç ve deneyimleri: Kalitatif bir çalışma

Year 2020, Volume: 45 Issue: 2, 629 - 638, 30.06.2020
https://doi.org/10.17826/cumj.699833

Abstract

Amaç: Meme kanseri hastaları sağlıklarını ve refahlarını geliştirmek için tıbbi tedavi ile birlikte tamamlayıcı tedavileri (TT) kullanmayı tercih etmektedir. Ancak TT kullandıklarını sağlık profesyonelleri ile ayrıntılı konuşmamaktadırlar. Bu çalışmanın amacı, kemoterapi alan meme kanseri hastalarının TT kullanımına ilişkin inanç ve deneyimlerini ayrıntılı olarak açıklamaktır.
Gereç ve Yöntem: Yarı yapılandırılmış görüşme formuyla, Haziran-Temmuz 2019’da 11 meme kanseri hasta ile bireysel görüşmeler yürütülmüştür. Verilerin analizi için 6 aşamalı tematik analiz kullanılmıştır.
Bulgular: Çalışmada üç ana tema belirlenmiştir: kullanılan TT çeşitleri; TT tercih ve olumlu deneyimler. Hastalar TT türlerinden doğal ürünleri, zihin ve vücut uygulamalarını kullanmaktadır. Hastalar bu yöntemleri tercih etmelerinin nedenleri; hastalığın ilerlemesini engellemek, tıbbi ilaç kullanmamak, kemoterapinin iyileştiriciliğine inanmamak ve tedavinin yan etkilerini azaltmaktır. TT kullanımı sonucunda fizyolojik iyileşme ve bağışıklığı güçlendirme olumlu deneyimler arasındadır. Hastalar TT kullanımına bağlı olumlu deneyimler yaşadıkları için bu yöntemleri kullanmayı sürdürmektedir.
Sonuç: Meme kanseri hastaları TT türlerinden çoğunlukla doğal ürünleri, daha sonra zihin ve vücut uygulamalarını tercih etmektedirler. Hastalar TT kullanımında, sağlık ekibinden çok az rehberlik ve eğitim almakta, bilgi için sosyal iletişim kaynaklarını kullanmayı tercih etmektedir.
Onkoloji hekim ve hemşirelerinin kanıta dayalı mevcut literatür ışığında, hastaların TT kullanımına devam etmeleri veya bırakmaları konusunda tavsiyede bulunmaları hasta güvenliği ve sağlık sonuçları açısından oldukça önemlidir.

References

  • 1. WHO. Cancer Today Data visualization tools for exploring the global cancer burden in 2018. http://gco.iarc.fr/today/home (accessed January 15, 2020).
  • 2. Bellanger M, Zeinomar N, Tehranifar P, Terry MB. Are global breast cancer incidence and mortality patterns related to country-specific economic development and prevention strategies? J Glob Oncol. 2018;(4):1-16.
  • 3. T.C. Sağlık Bakanlığı. Kanser tedavileri nelerdir. https://hsgm.saglik.gov.tr/tr/kanser-tedavisi (accessed January 15, 2020).
  • 4. Oylar Ö, Tekin İ. Kanserin teşhis ve tedavisinde nanoteknolojinin önemi. Uludağ Üniversitesi Mühendislik-Mimarlık Fakültesi Dergisi. 2011;16(1):147-54.
  • 5. NCCIH. Complementary, alternative, or integrative health: what’s in a name? https://nccih.nih.gov/health/integrative-health#hed1 (accessed May 13, 2019).
  • 6. European Federation for Complementary and Alternative Medicine [EFCAM]. CAM definition. http://www.efcam.eu/cam/cam-definition/ (accessed July 18, 2019).
  • 7. Chui PL, Abdullah KL, Wong LP, Taib NA. Complementary and alternative medicine use and symptom burden in women undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer in Malaysia. Cancer Nurs. 2018;41(3):189-99.
  • 8. Yeşil H, Kiran B, Alkan H, Ateş B, Kayali B, Büyükçam S, et al. Afyon Kocatepe Üniversitesi’nde meme kanseri tanısı ile takip edilmekte olan hastalarda tamamlayıcı ve alternatif tedavi kullanımı. Kocatepe Medical Journal. 2018;19:42-7.
  • 9. Kurt H, Keşkek ŞÖ, Çil T, Canataroğlu A. Meme kanserli hastalarda tamamlayıcı/ alternatif tedavi kullanımı. Turkish Journal of Oncology. 2013;28(1):10-5.
  • 10. Hwang JH, Kim WY, Ahmed M, Choi S, Kim J, Han DW. The use of complementary and alternative medicine by Korean breast cancer women: is it associated with severity of symptoms? Evidence-based Complement Altern Med. 2015;2015:1-7.
  • 11. Henneghan AM, Harrison T. Complementary and alternative medicine therapies as symptom management strategies for the late effects of breast cancer treatment. J Holist Nurs. 2015;33(1):84-97.
  • 12. Wu HJ, Tai CJ, Tai CJ, Chien LY. Symptom severity, symptom interference and use of complementary and alternative medicine among survivors of colorectal and breast cancer after curative treatment in Taiwan. Eur J Cancer Care. 2019;28(1):1-10.
  • 13. Wanchai A, Armer JM, Stewart BR. Complementary and alternative medicine use among women with breast cancer: a systematic review. Clin J Oncol Nurs. 2010;14(4):E45-55.
  • 14. Mujar NMM, Dahlui M, Emran NA, Hadi IA, Wai YY, Arulanantham S, et al. Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use and delays in presentation and diagnosis of breast cancer patients in public hospitals in Malaysia. PLoS One. 2017;12(4):1-12.
  • 15. Arıkan F, Uçar MA, Kondak Y, Tekeli A, Kartöz F, Özcan K, et al. Reasons for complementary therapy use by cancer patients, information sources and communication with health professionals. Complement Ther Med. 2019;44:157-61.
  • 16. Firkins R, Eisfeld H, Keinki C, Buentzel J, Hochhaus A, Schmidt T, et al. The use of complementary and alternative medicine by patients in routine care and the risk of interactions. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol. 2018;144(3):551-7.
  • 17. Ben-Arye E, Samuels N, Goldstein LH, Mutafoglu K, Omran S, Schiff E, et al. Potential risks associated with traditional herbal medicine use in cancer care: a study of Middle Eastern oncology health care professionals. Cancer. 2016;122(4):598-610.
  • 18. Sweet E, Dowd F, Zhou M, Standish LJ, Andersen MR. The use of complementary and alternative medicine supplements of potential concern during breast cancer chemotherapy. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2016;2016:1-8.
  • 19. Erdoğan S, Nahcivan N, Esin N, editors. Hemşirelikte araştırma: süreç, uygulama ve kritik. 2nd ed., Nobel Tıp Kitabevi, 2015.
  • 20. Yıldırım A, Şimşek H. Sosyal bilimlerde nitel araştırma yöntemleri. 10th ed., Ankara, Seçkin Yayıncılık, 2016.
  • 21. Polit DF, Beck CT. Essentials of nursing research: appraising evidence for nursing practice. 7th ed., Philadelphia, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins, 2010.
  • 22. Yıldız İ, Özgüroglu M, Toptas T, Turna H, Şen F, Yıldız M. Patterns of complementary and alternative medicine use among Turkish cancer patients. J Palliat Med. 2013;16(4):383-90.
  • 23. Rossi E, Vita A, Baccetti S, Di Stefano M, Voller F, Zanobini A. Complementary and alternative medicine for cancer patients: results of the EPAAC survey on integrative oncology centres in Europe. Support Care Cancer. 2015;23(6):1795-806.
  • 24. Edwards G V, Aherne NJ, Horsley PJ, Benjamin LC, McLachlan CS, McKay MJ, et al. Prevalence of complementary and alternative therapy use by cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy. Asia Pac J Clin Oncol. 2014;10(4):346-53.
  • 25. Hunter D, Marinakis C, Salisbury R, Cray A, Oates R. Complementary therapy use in metropolitan and regional Australian radiotherapy centres; do patients report effective outcomes? Support Care Cancer. 2016;24(4):1803-11.
  • 26. Kim K, Kim SHH, Ok ON, Kim IR, Lee S, Kim SHH, et al. Use of complementary and alternative medicine by lymphoma survivors in South Korea. Eur J Oncol Nurs. 2018;33:91-6.
  • 27. Loquai C, Dechent D, Garzarolli M, Kaatz M, Kaehler KC, Kurschat P, et al. Use of complementary and alternative medicine: a multicenter cross-sectional study in 1089 melanoma patients. Eur J Cancer. 2017;71:70-9.
  • 28. Berretta M, Della Pepa C, Tralongo P, Fulvi A, Martellotta F, Lleshi A, et al. Use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in cancer patients: an Italian multicenter survey. Oncotarget. 2017;8(15):24401-14.
  • 29. Liu SH, Cheng YC. Old formula, new Rx: The journey of PHY906 as cancer adjuvant therapy. J Ethnopharmacol. 2012;140(3):614-23.
  • 30. Kay Garcia M, Mcquade J, Haddad R, Patel S, Lee R, Yang P, et al. Systematic review of acupuncture in cancer care: a synthesis of the evidence. J Clin Oncol. 2013;31(7):952-60.
  • 31. Chien TJ, Liu CY, Ko PH, Hsu CH. A Chinese decoction, Kuan-Sin-Yin, improves autonomic function and cancer-related symptoms of metastatic colon cancer. Integr Cancer Ther. 2016;15(1):113-23.
  • 32. Smith PJ, Clavarino A, Long J, Steadman KJ. Why do some cancer patients receiving chemotherapy choose to take complementary and alternative medicines and what are the risks? Asia Pac J Clin Oncol. 2014;10(1):1-10.
  • 33. Chung VCH, Wu X, Lu P, Hui EP, Zhang Y, Zhang AL, et al. Chinese herbal medicine for symptom management in cancer palliative care systematic review and meta-analysis. Medicine. 2016;95(7):e2793.
  • 34. Chakraborty R, Savani BN, Litzow M, Mohty M, Hashmi S. A perspective on complementary/alternative medicine use among survivors of hematopoietic stem cell transplant: benefits and uncertainties. Cancer. 2015;121(14):2303-13.
  • 35. Chang KH, Brodie R, Choong MA, Sweeney KJ, Kerin MJ. Complementary and alternative medicine use in oncology: a questionnaire survey of patients and health care professionals. BMC Cancer. 2011;11:1-9.
  • 36. Mustian KM, Sprod LK, Janelsins M, Peppone LJ, Palesh OG, Chandwani K, et al. Multicenter, randomized controlled trial of yoga for sleep quality among cancer survivors. J Clin Oncol. 2013;31(26):3233-41.
  • 37. Abuelgasim KA, Alsharhan Y, Alenzi T, Alhazzani A, Ali YZ, Jazieh AR. The use of complementary and alternative medicine by patients with cancer: across-sectional survey in Saudi Arabia. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2018;18(1):1-8.
There are 37 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Medicine
Journal Section Research
Authors

Ayla Tuzcu 0000-0002-1291-7970

Merve İpek 0000-0002-2122-2740

Publication Date June 30, 2020
Acceptance Date April 8, 2020
Published in Issue Year 2020 Volume: 45 Issue: 2

Cite

MLA Tuzcu, Ayla and Merve İpek. “Beliefs and Experiences of Breast Cancer Patients about the Use of Complementary Therapies: A Qualitative Study”. Cukurova Medical Journal, vol. 45, no. 2, 2020, pp. 629-38, doi:10.17826/cumj.699833.