Abstract P4-12-04: Use of complementary and integrative medicine therapies in Chilean patients with breast cancer. Experience of a private center: prevalence and characteristics of patients

Abstract

Abstract Background: During the last decade several studies have been reported that the use of complementary and integrative medicine (CIM), defined as health care methods generated outside of standard Western, or conventional clinical practices has been increasing among breast cancer patients in developed countries. However, there is little information about the use of CIM in developing countries. Chile currently has no published statistics on the use of CIM in breast cancer. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey between March and June 2017 in breast cancer patients treated in Clinica Alemana de Santiago to determine the prevalence of CIM use and the types of preferred CIM. We also analyzed associations between CIM and several variables including sociodemographic variables, the reasons that motivated the use of CIM and the subjective benefits that patients attributed to CIM. Statistical analysis included two tailed t–test for continuous variables, Fischer's exact test for categorical variables and logistic regression for association between CIM use and other variables. Results: 288 patients answered the survey. Among them, 98.9% were women, mostly between 41 and 50 years (40.4%). 44.9% (n = 129) reported using CIM. No association was found between the use of CIM and sociodemographic variables (sex, age, education, income). Most used CIM types were: vitamins / minerals (50.4%), herbs (48.8%), special diets (42.6%), meditation/prayers (37.2%). The reasons for CIM use were "to do everything possible" (72%), "improve immunity" (67.8%), "reduce side effects of treatment" (32.7%), recommendation by family member or friend (32.7%). Regarding CIM habits, 50.8% of patients reported having started CIM use at the time of diagnosis and only 51.6% reported about CIM use to their attending physician. Most patients reported benefits associated to CAM use (61%) but no differences were found in reported quality of life. Conclusions: Great amount of the patients reported using CIM and half of them mentioned that they shared this information with their attending physician. It is necessary incorporate to medical routines questions regarding CIM use and to educate the patients regarding the safe use of CIM and the possible interactions of these approaches with conventional clinical practices. Citation Format: Salas C, Lopez G, Cadiz F, Barriga C, Gonzalez P, Acevedo S, Raimilla P, Pincheira P, Naing A, Quiroga M. Use of complementary and integrative medicine therapies in Chilean patients with breast cancer. Experience of a private center: prevalence and characteristics of patients [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2018 Dec 4-8; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P4-12-04.