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

Ayla Tuzcu , Merve İpek

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.

Keywords

Breast cancer, complementary therapies

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

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.

Keywords

Breast cancer, complementary therapies, natural products

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