Does the perceived risk of breast cancer recurrence and death affect the use of complementary medicines by cancer patients? S. Verma, E. Rakovitch, D. George, A. Giotis, F. Charbonneau, T. Petrella, J.-P. Pignol, M. Trudeau, M. Clemons; TSRCC, Toronto, ON, Canada Abstract: Background: Complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) are frequently used by patients with breast cancer. However, the reasons and the perceived benefits of CAM usage by these patients remain unclear. The objective of this study is to assess CAM usage among women with breast cancer and to evaluate the presence of psychological morbidity and perceptions of risk among women who do and do not take CAM. Methods: Breast cancer patients attending outpatient clinics at a single Canadian cancer centre were approached by their oncologist. Participants completed a self-administered survey regarding CAM usage, beliefs associated with CAM usage, views of their risks of developing recurrent cancer, and of dying of breast cancer. The presence of anxiety and depression was scored using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Patient demographics were also collected. Responses were scored and compared between CAM users and non-users. Results: A total of 251 patients completed the survey. CAM usage was reported by 43.4% of patients. Individuals who used CAM were younger 53.1 yr. vs. 63.0 yr. (p<0.001), better educated (p<0.001), and in full time employment 25.7% vs. 16.3 % (p<0.001) compared to non-users. There were no differences related to ethnicity, marital status, household income or tumor stage among users and non-users of CAM. CAM users perceived their risk of recurrence (p=0.011) and death from breast cancer (p=0.0001) as being significantly greater compared to non-CAM users. There were no significant differences in anxiety or depression scores between CAM and non-CAM users. Conclusions: Women with breast cancer who use CAM are younger, better educated and in full time employment compared to those not reporting CAM usage. CAM usage is associated with increased perception of breast cancer recurrence and of breast cancer-related death. This perceived risk may have contributed to increased CAM usage. It is important for physicians to know what the patients are taking and to identify the reasons these treatments were chosen. Abstract No: 8152 Abstract # 8131 ASCO, 2004 Remember we are NOT Doctors and have NO medical training. This site is like an Encylopedia - there are many pages, many links on many topics. Support our work with any size DONATION - see left side of any page - for how to donate. You can help raise awareness of CAM.