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Complementary medicine use by Australian women with gynaecological cancer
Author(s) -
Markovic Milica,
Manderson Lenore,
Wray Natalie,
Quinn Michael
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
psycho‐oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.41
H-Index - 137
eISSN - 1099-1611
pISSN - 1057-9249
DOI - 10.1002/pon.936
Subject(s) - modalities , medicine , exploratory research , alternative medicine , gynaecological cancer , family medicine , qualitative research , complementary therapy , cancer , psychology , social science , pathology , sociology , anthropology
Aims and objectives : Social and cultural factors are identified that impact on complementary therapy use among Australia‐born and immigrant women diagnosed with gynaecological cancer. Methods : A qualitative study design including in‐depth interviews with women diagnosed with gynaecological cancer ( N =53) and participant observation was conducted. Results : Approximately one‐third of women utilized complementary and alternative medicine, with this being determined by current health concerns and health beliefs related to the efficacy of different modalities. Four types of complementary therapy users emerged: consequential, therapeutic, informed and exploratory. Conclusion : There was a relatively low uptake of complementary treatments. Choice was influenced by women's socio‐demographic background, clinical and personal history, lack of personal experiences of gynaecological cancer among study participants' kin and friends, and lack of popular alternative literature on such cancer. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.