Use of complementary and alternative medicine and breast cancer survival in the Health, Eating, Activity, and Lifestyle Study

Abstract

Purpose Use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is common among breast cancer patients, but less is known about whether CAM influences breast cancer survival. Methods Health Eating, Activity and Lifestyle (HEAL) Study participants (n=707) were diagnosed with stage I–IIIA breast cancer. Participants completed a 30-month post-diagnosis interview including questions on CAM use (natural products such as dietary and botanical supplements, alternative health practices and alternative medical systems), weight, physical activity and co-morbidities. Outcomes were breast cancer-specific and total mortality, which were ascertained from the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results registries in Western Washington, Los Angeles County and New Mexico. Cox proportional hazards regression models were fit to data to estimate hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for mortality. Models were adjusted for potential confounding by sociodemographic, health and cancer-related factors. Results Among 707 participants, 70 breast cancer-specific deaths and 149 total deaths were reported. 60.2% of participants reported CAM use post-diagnosis. The most common CAM was natural products (51%) including plant-based estrogenic supplements (42%). Manipulative and body-based practices and alternative medical systems were used by 27% and 13% of participants, respectively. No associations were observed between CAM use and breast cancer-specific (HR=1.04, 95% CI 0.61–1.76) or total mortality (HR=0.91, 95% CI 0.63–1.29). Conclusion CAM use was not associated with breast cancer-specific mortality or total mortality. Randomized controlled trials may be needed to definitively test whether there is harm or benefit from the types of CAM assessed in HEAL in relation to mortality outcomes in breast cancer survivors.

The Correlation of Socio Demographic and Knowledge Factors Toward Therapy Options among Breast Cancer Patients

“…Some others also call this therapy a holistic treatment. This is based on the type of therapy that impacts the individual in general--that is, his harmony to integrate mind, body, and soul in a unity (Neuhouser et al, 2017;Smith, Duell, & Martin, 2004). Thus, it can be concluded that complementary therapy is a traditional therapy that adjoins the modern one to thoroughly integrate the patient's mind, body and soul as one function.…”

Active Participation, Mind–Body Stabilization, and Coping Strategies with Integrative Medicine in Breast Cancer Patients

“…35 However, it is difficult for patients to draw firm conclusions on whether this therapy goal has been achieved, and no links have been established between the use of integrative medicine and disease prognosis or mortality. 15 However, a fear of tumor recurrence has been found to be associated with the use of CAM by patients. 36 Overall, almost 90% of the patients included in the present study stated that they had achieved mind-body stabilization.…”

“… 9 - 11 The most important and most frequently used complementary methods in Germany are: sport and exercise, nutrition therapy, nutritional supplements, phytotherapy, traditional homeopathy, mistletoe therapy, acupuncture, and relaxation techniques. 11 - 15 …”

Efficacy of Complementary Therapies in the Quality of Life of Breast Cancer Survivors

“…NIH has classified CAM into four categories: (1) mind and body medicine (meditation, yoga, acupuncture, guided imagery, qi gong), (2) manipulative and body-based practices (spinal manipulation, massage therapy, chiropractic medicine), (3) alternative systems (traditional Chinese medicine, Native American healing systems, Reiki, homeopathic medicine, Ayurveda), and (4) natural products (herbal supplements, botanical supplements, single supplements, and combinations of vitamins or minerals) ( 152 ). In addition to these, electrotherapeutic modalities, such as LASER, electrical stimulation, microwave diathermy, and thermotherapy have demonstrated insufficient evidence to support their use ( 153 ).…”