Prasad A, Herman CJ, Allen P.

A needs assessment survey for the planning of integrative cancer programs at an academic cancer research and treatment center (CRTC).

University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Department of Medicine, 5 ACC MSC10 Ð 5550, 1 University of New Mexico, 2211 Lomas Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87131- 0001. aprasad@salud.unm.edu

OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency and types of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) used by multiethnic adult cancer patients and to assess their needs and preferences for future services at an academic cancer research and treatment center (CRTC).

SETTING: CAM use for chronic conditions has increased in recent years. Studies published from 1998 through 2003 showed that 23% to 91% of participants had used at least one CAM therapy since their cancer diagnosis. While CAM use among cancer patients has been widely examined and documented, there is little information on how cancer centers make decisions to include CAM therapies as part of their comprehensive care programs.

METHOD: The cross-sectional interviewer-administered survey was conducted with a convenience sample of 120 English-speaking volunteer adult cancer patients of any ethnicity or gender, who were either currently in treatment or being seen for follow-up at the CRTC outpatient facility between January 2003 and June 2003.

RESULTS: Of the 120 survey participants, 86 (72%) were women; 60% self-identified as non-Hispanic white, 26% as Hispanic, 11% as American Indian, 7% as black and 1% as Asian-American. Ages ranged from 20-82 years, with the mean age 57.3 years. One-fourth (26%) of the volunteers reported having breast cancer, 14% cancer of the ovaries, uterus, cervix or other gynecologic site, and 8% prostate cancer. Most (86%) participants reported use of at least one CAM therapy since diagnosis. Half (49%) reported using one or more CAM therapies between diagnosis and initiation of cancer treatment, 71% reported using them during conventional cancer treatments, and 58% continued use after completing conventional treatments. Three-fifths (61%) of the volunteers had used one or more of the therapies before their cancer diagnosis. The most frequently reported therapy used in the past month was prayer Ð by others (75.8%) and by self (72.5%). Other frequently reported therapies included meditation (39.2%), special diets or foods (37.5%), herbal supplements (36.7%), nutritional supplements (19.2%), yoga (10.8%), massage (10%), and acupuncture (6.7%). Participant preferences for future integrative services included written information and videos to take home (88.3%), nutritional counseling (85.8%), exercise groups (81.7%), support groups for families and caregivers (81.7%) and for patients (80.8%), life style counseling (75.8%), massage therapy (75.8%), counseling on herbs and supplements (74.2%), stress management (75.8%), energy healing (56.7%) and acupuncture (46.7%).

CONCLUSIONS: Most adults in this study reported varied use of CAM in conjunction with conventional cancer treatments and expressed interest in future integrative services at the CRTC.

 

Back