The relationship between cancer locus of control and complementary and alternative medicine use by women diagnosed with breast cancer

Abstract

Research has shown that perceptions of control influence health-related behavior and outcomes. This study explored the influence of the control constructs in the context of the theory of cognitive adaptation to the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) among 551 women diagnosed with breast cancer in Portland, Oregon. The majority of these women had high perceptions of cancer control and used one or more types of CAM therapy. Multinomial logistical regression indicated that higher perceptions of control over the course and cause of cancer significantly predicted CAM use. The model combining sociodemographic variables (age, education and type of health insurance) and control variables explained more variation (R(2)=0.23) in predicting CAM use than the model with only sociodemographic variables (R(2)=0.14), indicating that perceptions of control over the cause and the course of cancer had an independent significant influence. It was concluded that the assessment of control constructs from the theory of cognitive adaptation is useful for studying CAM use among women diagnosed with breast cancer and that understanding the meanings that lie behind the decisions to use these therapies are essential for health care providers who are promoting the health and well-being of their patients.

Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use and Benefit Finding Among Cancer Patients

“…We hypothesize that CAM use represents an active coping strategy for the management of cancer-related symptoms and distress. As active coping strategies have been linked to benefit finding, 8,9 it follows that encouraging evidencebased CAM use may represent a unique way to facilitate the growth of benefit finding. Bann, Sirois, and Walsh suggest there are three components of the CAM provider-patient relationship that may contribute to greater patient perception of benefit.…”

A population‐based study of prevalence of complementary methods use by cancer survivors

“…One study of breast cancer patients suggested that locus of control affects CAM usage; higher perceptions of control over the course and cause of cancer significantly predicted CAM use. 48 …”

Effects of an Integrated Yoga Program in Modulating Psychological Stress and Radiation-Induced Genotoxic Stress in Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Radiotherapy

“…10,12 There have been a number of studies including randomized trials that reported positive therapeutic outcomes following yoga programs, including our group. 13 A wide range of benefits have been reported including improvements in asthma, 14 immune function, [15][16][17] hypertension, [18][19][20] cardiovascular effects, 12,21,22 blood pressure, 23,24 diabetes, 25 and serum cortisol levels. 23 The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) as an adjuvant therapy in breast cancer patients has attracted the attention of many researchers worldwide.…”