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FACT
Focus on Alternative and Complementary Therapies

Complementary Medicine – General

CAM use by Australian women with breast cancer

A self-completed questionnaire was used to survey Australian women with breast cancer about their usage of CAM. The survey was mailed to members of two breast cancer consumer advocacy groups, and assessed type of therapy used, reasons for use, and sources of information about complementary therapies. Of 367 respondents with breast cancer, 87.5% had used complementary therapies, with many using four or more therapies. Most commonly used were vitamin supplements (54.2%), support groups (49.8%), massage (41.4%) and meditation (38.7%). Common reasons for use included improving physical (86.3%) and emotional (83.2%) well-being and boosting the immune system (68.8%). Women sought information about complementary therapies from a variety of sources.

Kremser T, Evans A, Moore A et al. Use of complementary therapies by Australian women with breast cancer. Breast 2008; 17: 387–94.
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