Alternate Therapies Used by Women with Breast Cancer in Four Ethnic Populations

Interest in alternative therapies is growing rapidly in the United States. A group of researchers at UCSF have been studying the types and prevalence of conventional and alternative therapies used by women in four ethnic groups (Latino, white, black, and Chinese) diagnosed with breast cancer from 1990 through 1992 in San Francisco, California, and explored factors influencing the choices of their therapies.

379 subjects completed a 30 minute telephone interview in their preferred language. Logistic regression models assessed factors associated with the use of alternative therapies after a diagnosis of breast cancer.

The results indicate 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 duration of less that six months. Both the alternative therapies used and factors influencing the choice of therapy varied by ethnicity. Black women most often used spiritual healing (36%); Chinese women most often used healing (26%); and Latinas most often used dietary therapies (30%) and spiritual healing (26%). Among white women, 35% used dietary methods and 21% used physicak methods, such as massage and acupuncture. In general, women were more likely to used alternative therapies if they had higher educational levels or income, were of younger age, had private insurance, and exercised or attended support groups. About half of the women reported discussing the use of alternative therapies with their physicians. More than 90% of the subjects found the therapies helpful and would recommend them to their friends. The researchers concluded that, given the high prevalence of alternative therapies used in San Francisco by the four ethnic groups and the relatively poor communication between patients and doctors, physicians who treat patients with breast cancer should initiate dialogues on this topic to better understand patients' choices with regard to treatment options.