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Complementary Methods Used to Deal With Cancer

Most patients don't use techniques to handle emotional aspects

February 7, 2008

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There's no single good way to handle the trauma of cancer.

Researchers at the American Cancer Society set out to identify the most effective way cancer patients dealt with the disease. While radiation, chemotherapy and surgery are the most common ways of physically treating cancer, the researchers wanted to know what worked emotionally.

The results show these complementary methods range include prayer, relaxation, supplements, meditation, and massage, sometimes in combination with each other. On the other hand, the use of other methods, such as biofeedback, homeopathy, and acupressure, appear to be relatively uncommon.

The study, appearing in the American Cancer Society peer review journal CANCER, also finds women, younger survivors, whites, individuals with higher income, and those with more education were more likely to use complementary methods (CM).

The study confirmed the results of previous surveys that found cancer patients use the same complementary methods used among the general population and among people with other chronic diseases – among them spiritual practices, relaxation methods, and dietary supplements.

"Our study found that several CM types are used by nearly half of cancer survivors," said Ted Gansler, M.D., American Cancer Society and study co-author. "Surprisingly, other methods such as acupuncture and hypnosis were used by fewer than 2 percent of cancer survivors, even though recent studies found them to be useful in relieving some cancer-related symptoms, such as pain."

The study also found that the use of various CM types is significantly influenced by gender, race, age, education, cancer type, and how far the cancer had spread.

The study also found cancer type was a significant predictor of CM use. Melanoma and kidney cancer survivors were least likely to use CMs, whereas breast and ovarian cancer survivors were most likely to use them.

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