Use of alternative therapy not a rejection of MDs

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Use of alternative therapy not a rejection of MDs

By Schorr

NEW YORK, Jul 23 (Reuters Health) - Women diagnosed with breast cancer are

likely to use some form of complementary medicine such as meditation or

herbal medicines, not because of dissatisfaction with traditional medical

care but to supplement their health, researchers report.

" Women use complementary and alternative medicines not to reject Western

medicine, but to become a more healthy person, " lead author Alferi, a

doctoral student in psychology at the University of Miami at Coral Gables,

told Reuters Health. " They're not seeking complementary medicine because

they're dissatisfied with their physicians. "

The team of psychologists talked to a group of 231 women who had been

diagnosed with breast cancer within the past year. The women filled out a

questionnaire asking them whether they had ever used any kind of

complementary therapy, which included healing therapies such as meditation,

acupuncture or herbal medications, and psychological therapies such as

psychotherapy or a support group.

The investigators found that more than half of the women reported using some

form of complementary medicine. The most popular form of healing therapy was

meditation, which was used by 30% of the women, while only 1% had used

acupuncture. Around one third of the women reported using some type of

psychological therapy.

Alferi and her colleagues also found that black women were more likely to

report using herbal medicines and spiritual healing than other women. The

findings were reported in the summer issue of the Journal of the American

Medical Women's Association. The study was funded by the National Cancer

Institute.

Most significantly, the researchers found that no evidence that the use of

healing therapies was related to dissatisfaction with medical treatment.

" Physicians shouldn't be intimidated by complementary medicine, " Alferi

said. " From what I've noticed, the attitude is becoming, as long as it

doesn't interfere with medical treatment, whatever makes the patients feel

better is fine. "

However, she noted that patients should always let their doctors know when

they are using herbal medicines, and doctors should ask their patients if

they are using them, in case of possible negative interactions with

prescription medicines.

SOURCE: Journal of the American Medical Women's Association 2001;56:120-124.