Ethnic Background Influences Choice of Alternative Therapies in Breast Cancer Patients

Jan. 7, 2000 (Minneapolis) -- A study of women from four ethnic groups shows a high prevalence of the use of alternative therapy among breast cancer patients. While the research confirms earlier studies regarding alternative therapies, the investigators also found that the majority of these women did not report their use of alternative therapies to their doctors. The findings are published in the Jan. 5 issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

"Our research confirms [earlier studies] regarding the use and acceptance of alternative therapies among women with breast cancer -- that the majority of women do not report their use ... to their physicians," write Marion M. Lee, PhD, from the University of California, San Francisco, and colleagues. Because of the growing interest in such therapies, as well as the unknown safety and effectiveness of them, researchers say that patients and physicians should discuss therapy preferences and expectations.

In their study, researchers conducted telephone interviews with members of four ethnic groups of breast cancer survivors -- Latina, Chinese, black, and white -- to explore factors related to therapy choices.

The investigators found that about one-half of the women used at least one type of alternative therapy, and about one-third used two types. Most therapies were used for a period of less than six months. The most commonly reported alternative remedies were dietary therapies including specialized diets and megavitamins. Other common therapies included spiritual healing and herbal remedies.

Researchers also found that the type and frequency of these therapies depended on the woman's ethnic background. Black women most often used spiritual healing, while Chinese women most often used herbal remedies. The use of dietary therapies and spiritual healing were most common among Latina women. Among white women, one-third used dietary methods, and one in five used physical methods such as massage or acupuncture.

"Since a very high prevalence of women are using alternative therapies ... it is important for clinicians and consumers to understand that most of the alternative therapies used have never been adequately evaluated for their benefits in breast cancer treatment," says co-researcher Margaret Wrensch, PhD. "An open discussion between physicians and their patients about the role of alternative therapy is needed."

Fortunately, medical students are increasingly exposed to alternative medicine practitioners and lectures during their training, and the majority of medical schools in the U.S. now offer courses in complementary and alternative medicine. "Given the high prevalence of use of alternative medicine found in this study ... such courses are well timed," according to the researchers.

• Approximately one-half of all breast cancer patients use alternative therapies.
• Black women are most likely to use spiritual healing, while Chinese turn most often to herbal remedies, Latinas to dietary therapies and spiritual healing, and whites to dietary and physical methods.
• The majority of women who use alternative therapies do not tell their physicians even though these issues need to be openly discussed, since little is scientifically known about many of the practices.