Open AccessImplementation of an Integrative Oncological Concept in the Daily Care of a German Certified Breast Cancer Center
Author(s) -
Friedemann Schad,
Anja Thronicke,
Antje Merkle,
Megan L. Steele,
Matthias Kröz,
Cornelia Herbstreit,
Harald Matthes
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
complementary medicine research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.238
H-Index - 38
eISSN - 2504-2106
pISSN - 2504-2092
DOI - 10.1159/000478655
Subject(s) - medicine , breast cancer , psychological intervention , integrative medicine , certification , benchmarking , cancer , stage (stratigraphy) , alternative medicine , nursing , pathology , paleontology , marketing , political science , law , business , biology
Background: In recent decades the concept of integrative medicine has attracted growing interest in patients and professionals. At the Gemeinschaftskrankenhaus Havelhöhe (GKH), a hospital specialized in anthroposophical medicine, a breast cancer center (BCC) has been successfully certified for more than 5 years. The objective of the present study was to analyze how integrative strategies were implemented in the daily care of primary breast cancer patients. Methods: Clinical, demographic, and follow-up data as well as information on non-pharmacological interventions were analyzed. In addition, BCC quality measures were compared with data of the National Breast Cancer Benchmarking Report 2016. Results: Between 2011 and 2016, 741 primary breast cancer patients (median age 57.4 years) were treated at the GKH BCC. 91.5% of the patients showed Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) stage 0, I, II, or III and 8.2% were in UICC stage IV. 97% of the patients underwent surgery, 53% radiation, 38% had hormone therapy, and 25% received cytostatic drugs. 96% of the patients received non-pharmacological interventions and 32% received Viscum album L. therapy. Follow-up was performed in up to 93% of the patients 2 years after first diagnosis. Compared to nationwide benchmarking BCCs, the GKH BCC met the requirements in central items. Conclusions: The results of the present study show that integrative therapies offered by the concept of anthroposophical medicine can be implemented in the daily care and treatment of a certified BCC. However, as national guidelines on integrative concepts in oncology are missing, further studies are needed for a systematic evaluation of integrative treatment and care concepts in this field.