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Biologically based therapies are commonly self-prescribed by Brazilian women for the treatment of advanced breast cancer or its symptoms

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Abstract

Purpose

Breast cancer (BC) might be associated with loss of function in affected patients, with a direct impact on their quality of life (QOL). Many women with metastatic BC seek relief of symptoms, including the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) to cure cancer. The present study aimed to identify the pattern of CAM used by patients with metastatic BC and to assess the correlation between CAM use and scores on anxiety, depression, and QOL scales.

Methods

A total of 126 women with metastatic BC were interviewed using four instruments: (1) a questionnaire containing socioeconomic, clinical, and demographic data and CAM use; (2) European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Core Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ)-C30; (3) EORTC QLQ-BR23; and (4) the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale.

Results

Fifty percent of the participants reported the use of at least one CAM modality. Biologically based practices were the most frequently used to treat BC and/or its symptoms, the most commonly discussed with the oncologists, and one of the CAM categories in which more patients reported a desire to learn more about. The overall use of CAM was not correlated with the scores on the anxiety, depression, and QOL scales. However, analysis of the association of the QOL scores with specific CAM modalities revealed some potential associations (especially for food supplements, art therapy, psychotherapy, and prayer).

Conclusions

Women with metastatic BC frequently make use of CAM to treat the cancer and/or its symptoms. Biologically based practices seem to be particularly important in Brazil. An association between specific CAM modalities and some QOL domains was suggested, but it needs further confirmation.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank the clinical oncology doctors at the women's outpatient clinic of Barretos Cancer Hospital for their help in recruiting the participants and the statistician Cleyton Zanardo de Oliveira for assistance with the analysis.

Conflict of interest

The authors have full control over the primary data and agree to allow the journal to review the data if requested. In addition, they declare no conflict of interest.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Clinical Research Unit, Barretos Cancer Hospital, Barretos, São Paulo, Brazil

    Ana Camila Callado Alfano & Raquel Haas da Silva

  2. Research Group on Palliative Care and Quality of Life, Barretos Cancer Hospital, Barretos, São Paulo, Brazil

    Ana Camila Callado Alfano, Carlos Eduardo Paiva, Fernanda Capella Rugno & Bianca Sakamoto Ribeiro Paiva

  3. Department of Clinical Oncology, Barretos Cancer Hospital, Barretos, São Paulo, Brazil

    Carlos Eduardo Paiva

  4. Teaching and Research Institute, Barretos Cancer Hospital, Barretos, São Paulo, Brazil

    Carlos Eduardo Paiva & Bianca Sakamoto Ribeiro Paiva

  5. Pós-Graduação em Oncologia, Instituto de Ensino e Pesquisa, Hospital de Câncer de Barretos, Fundação Pio XII. Rua Antenor Duarte Villela, 1331, 14784-400, Barretos, São Paulo, Brazil

    Carlos Eduardo Paiva

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  1. Ana Camila Callado Alfano
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  2. Carlos Eduardo Paiva
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Correspondence to Carlos Eduardo Paiva.

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Alfano, A.C.C., Paiva, C.E., Rugno, F.C. et al. Biologically based therapies are commonly self-prescribed by Brazilian women for the treatment of advanced breast cancer or its symptoms. Support Care Cancer 22, 1303–1311 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-013-2087-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-013-2087-x

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