The relationship between hopelessness level and complementary and alternative medicine use in patients with breast...

Following the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer, women may experience some emotions such as anxiety, uncertainty, andhopelessness, and these experiences may vary from person to person. Many patients, along with conventional treatments, can resort to traditional methods to support the treatment, prevent recurrence of cancer, cope with the side effects of the treatment, and strengthen physically and mentally.

The study was aimed at determining the relationship between hopelessness level and use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) methods in women with breast cancer.

In this descriptive and cross-sectional study, 336 women with breast cancer who presented to the mammography unit were contacted. Among the CAM methods used, herbal treatment methods rank first. Of the reasons, women prefer these methods; "CAM provides psychological comfort" takes the first place.

The mean scores obtained from the Beck Hopelessness Scale by the women who used and who did not use CAM were 5.45 ± 5.18 and 4.44 ± 4.10, respectively. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant (P < 0.05).

In conclusion, women with breast cancer may attempt to use CAM due to hopelessness. Therefore, in the course of medical treatment of patients, CAM practices should be questioned, they should be provided counseling and if necessary, referred for psychological support.