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Complementary medicine use among women enrolled in a genetic testing program
Lisa M DiGianni1, Haesook T Kim, Karen Emmons
1Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA. lisa_digianni@dfci.harvard.edu
Summary
Over half of women in a genetic testing program used complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). Cancer survivors utilized CAM more than unaffected women, with specific health behaviors and risk perceptions influencing use.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Genetics
- Integrative Medicine
Background:
- Genetic testing for breast/ovarian cancer predisposition identifies high-risk individuals.
- Understanding complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use in this population is crucial for comprehensive care.
- Factors influencing CAM adoption among women undergoing genetic risk assessment require investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the prevalence of CAM use in women enrolled in a genetic testing program for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer.
- To identify demographic, clinical, and psychosocial factors associated with CAM utilization in this cohort.
- To compare CAM use patterns between cancer survivors and unaffected women within the genetic testing program.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 236 high-risk women completed baseline questionnaires.
- Logistic regression models were employed to assess CAM use and its correlates.
- Data collected included CAM usage, health behaviors, depression levels, cancer genetics knowledge, and risk perception.
Main Results:
- CAM was used by 53% of the overall cohort.
- Cancer survivors reported significantly higher CAM use (61%) compared to unaffected women (42%).
- Daily fruit/vegetable intake, depression, cancer genetics knowledge, and breast self-examination frequency were associated with CAM use in survivors; risk perception and sunscreen use were correlated in unaffected women.
Conclusions:
- CAM use is prevalent among women undergoing genetic testing for hereditary cancer predisposition.
- Cancer survivors exhibit higher CAM utilization than unaffected women.
- Specific factors like health behaviors, psychological status, and risk perception influence CAM choices, warranting further investigation into the impact of genetic information and CAM on risk reduction.