Complementary medicine use among Iranian breast cancer

A cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate use of complementary medicine by cancer patients, in two comprehensive clinics, in Tehran, Iran. This paper reports the results for breast cancer patients. Design: A specially designed questionnaire was completed for 177 breast cancer patients after informed consent was obtained. The Mean age of the participants was 47.61 years (SD= + 15.1) ranging from 25 to 80 years. Most were married (78.5%), housewife (91%). Of 177 patients 58 (33%) had used complementary medicines. Users and non-users didn't differ significantly in educational level. Among users 50 patients (88%) indicated use of CMs after cancer diagnosis. The most commonly used CMs were spiritual healing 42 patients (72%), bioenergy 10% and homeopathy and herbal medicine were (8%). The main sources of information on CMs were religious believes (76%), previous informations (9%), and information obtained from relatives or friends (19%). Only 7% of users were informed by their physicians. Over 90% of patients satisfied with conventional therapies and the majority of users were satisfied with unconventional therapy 97% (36% fully satisfied and 61% relatively satisfied).Two-Thirds of users would suggest they like intake CMs by medical doctors. The study findings suggest that the breast cancer patients use of CMs frequently after diagnosis and more like use CMs by their physician. Medical doctors should ask about their patient's use of CMs whenever they obtain medical history and they must know more about CMs to offer the patients better consultations and communications.