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Table 3 Use of CAM: 1998 versus 2005

From: Trends in complementary/alternative medicine use by breast cancer survivors: Comparing survey data from 1998 and 2005

 

Respondents Reporting CAM

Use

n(%)

P-value*

Visits to Practitioners

1998

N = 411

2005

N = 527

 

Chiropractor

120 (29.2)

180 (34.2)

0.11

Body work practitioners†

94 (22.9)

228 (43.3)

>0.01

Acupuncturist/TCM practitioner±

28 (6.8)

69 (13.0)

>0.01

Herbalist

28 (6.8)

25 (4.7)

0.17

Naturopathic practitioner

24 (5.8)

40 (7.6)

0.29

Reflexologist

24 (5.8)

46 (8.7)

0.09

Homeopathic practitioner

17 (4.1)

41 (7.7)

0.02

Physician offering CAM therapies±

17 (4.1)

N/A

N/A

Spiritual/faith healer

16 (3.9)

N/A

N/A

Other visits(1)§

7 (1.7)

36 (6.8)

>0.01

Colon irrigation

4 (1.0)

N/A

N/A

Ayurvedic practitioner

N/A

4 (0.8)

N/A

Craniosacral therapist

N/A

10 (1.9)

N/A

Dietician/Nutritionist

N/A

104 (19.7)

N/A

Use of Products

1998

N = 411

2005

N = 527

 

Vitamins/Minerals(1) #

204 (49.6)

269 (51.0)‡

0.67

Herbal Remedies(2) #

101 (24.6)

194 (36.8)*

>0.01

Green tea

71 (17.3)

145 (27.5)

>0.01

Special foods/diet

63 (15.3)

140 (26.6)

>0.01

Essiac

61 (14.8)

39 (7.4)

>0.01

Meditation

42 (10.2)

60 (11.4)

0.57

Shark cartilage

22 (5.4)

16 (3.0)

0.07

Other therapies(2) §

22 (5.4)

39 (7.4)

0.21

Homeopathy

16 (3.9)

34 (6.4)

0.08

Faith healing

14 (3.4)

N/A

N/A

TCM remedy

7 (1.7)

18 (3.4)

0.11

Natural Supplements(3) #

N/A

198 (37.6)†

N/A

Soy

N/A

58 (11.0)

N/A

  1. * Z-value for two independent proportions (two-sided) looking at change in product or practitioner use through time
  2. †Body Work includes: reiki practitioner, massage therapist, therapeutic touch therapist, shiatsu practitioner, and pranic healer
  3. ± TCM = Traditional Chinese Medicine, CAM = complementary and alternative medicine
  4. §(1)Others visits include: aboriginal sweat & healing, brain respiration, cancer consultant, doctor of biomolecular medicine, exercise, iridologist, lymph clinic, muscle therapy, music and art therapy, occupational/physiotherapist, osteopath, (2) Glucosamine/chondrotin, yoga, chelation therapy, music/art therapy, noni juice/rain tree products, visualization, relaxation therapy, aboriginal medicine, exercise, flower essence, progesterone
  5. # (1) Vitamins/minerals (other than a multi-vitamin) include beta carotene and vitamins C and E; (2) Herbal remedies include garlic, ginger, and Hoxsey formula (or tea), Essiac, aloe, ginseng, green tea/extract : and (3) Natural supplements include acidophilus (or probiotics), CoQ10, fish oil, flax seed, immune support (e.g. MGN3 or Coriolus) and melatonin
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