Background: Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is becoming more common in medical practice, but little is known about the concurrent use of CAM and conventional treatment. Therefore, the aim was to investigate the types of CAM used and their prevalence in a regional patient cohort with breast cancer (BC).
Methods: BC patients were interviewed with a structured questionnaire survey on the use of CAM in southern Taiwan at an Integrative Breast Cancer Center (IBCC). The National Centre for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) classification was used to group responses. Over a period of 8 months, all patients receiving treatment for cancer at the IBCC were approached.
Results: A total of 106 BC patients completed the survey (response rate: 79.7%). The prevalence of CAM use was 82.4%. Patients who were employed, were receiving radiotherapy and hormone therapy, and had cancer for a longer duration were more likely to use CAM ( < .05). Multivariate analysis identified employment as an independent predictor of CAM use (OR = 6.92; 95% CI = 1.33-36.15). Dietary supplementation (n = 69, 82.1%) was the type of CAM most frequently used, followed by exercise (n = 48, 57.1%) and traditional Chinese medicine (n = 29, 34.5%). The main reason for using CAM was to ameliorate the side effects of conventional therapies. Almost half (46.4%) of these CAM users did not disclose that they were using it in medical consultations with their physicians. Most chose to use CAM due to recommendations from family and friends.
Conclusion: A large portion of BC patients at the IBCC undergoing anti-cancer treatment courses used CAM, but less than half discussed it with their physicians. Given the high prevalence of CAM, it would be justifiable to direct further resources toward this service so that cancer patients can benefit from a holistic approach to their treatment.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
---|---|
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7797811 | PMC |
http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1534735420983910 | DOI Listing |
Prog Biophys Mol Biol
December 2024
Zhangjiagang Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Suzhou City, Jiangsu, 215600, China. Electronic address:
N-methyladenosine (mA) modification is the most common epitranscriptomic modification in eukaryotic RNA and has garnered extensive attention in the context of breast cancer research. The mA modification significantly impacts tumorigenesis and tumor progression by regulating RNA stability, splicing, translation, and degradation. In this review we summarize recent advances in understanding the roles of mA modification in the mechanisms underlying angiogenesis and vasculogenic mimicry in breast cancer.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAnn Surg Oncol
December 2024
Division of Breast Surgery, Department of Surgery, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyüan, Taiwan, R.O.C..
Background: We investigated the perioperative outcome and oncologic safety of performing nipple-sparing mastectomy (NSM) through a single axillary incision (NSM-SAI) compared with performing NSM through a conventional incision (NSM-C).
Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 725 patients who underwent NSM for breast cancer between January 2010 and December 2023; 333 patients who underwent NSM with immediate reconstruction (IR) were enrolled. Surgical outcomes and oncologic outcomes of NSM-C (n = 184), NSM performed through SAI with a freehand approach (NSM-SAI-F; n = 92), and with an endoscopic approach (NSM-SAI-E; n = 57) were demonstrated.
Biol Res
December 2024
Unidad de Innovación en Prevención y Oncología de Precisión Centro Oncológico, Facultad de Medicina, Unidad de Innovación en Prevención y Oncología de Precisión Universidad Católica del Maule, Talca, 3480094, Chile.
Background: Breast cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, with hereditary forms accounting for approximately 10% of cases. In Chile, significant gaps exist in genetic counseling and testing, particularly within the public health system. This study presents the implementation and outcomes of the first regional hereditary cancer program in the Maule region of Chile, aimed at improving detection and management of hereditary breast cancer.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMed Mol Morphol
December 2024
Department of Pathology, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Japan.
We report a case of solid papillary carcinoma (SPC) that developed at the site of a previous intraductal papilloma (IDP) with atypical ductal hyperplasia. This case supports IDP as a potential precursor lesion to SPC.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEur J Med Res
December 2024
Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, 250021, Shandong, China.
The gut microbiota is a complex and dynamic ecosystem that plays a crucial role in human health and disease, including obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, inflammatory bowel disease, and cancer. Chronic inflammation is a common feature of these diseases and is closely related to angiogenesis (the process of forming new blood vessels), which is often dysregulated in pathological conditions. Inflammation potentially acts as a central mediator.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEnter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!