Comparative Analysis of CAM Use in the U.S. Cancer and Noncancer Populations

Abstract

Background: Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies are often used with conventional medical treatments, hence it is important for healthcare providers to understand factors influencing use and implications for patient care. Method: This study compared patterns and predictors of use of CAM providers, practices, and products among the U.S. cancer and noncancer population. Predisposing, enabling, and need factors in the CAM Healthcare Model were examined for ability to predict CAM use from a health service utilization perspective. A secondary analysis of the 2002 National Health Interview Survey was conducted for population estimation using STATA 9.2 software. The analysis compared CAM use by cancer survivors (N=2,262; estimated cancer population=14.3 million) and individuals without cancer (N=28,734; estimated population=191.5 million). Multinomial Logistic Regression identified between-subject differences and allowed for population comparison. Results: Data suggest that cancer survivors and noncancer populations differ in their CAM use patterns, with cancer survivors more likely to use CAM. Conclusion: While these patterns may have begun during the initial period of cancer diagnosis and treatment, they continue among long-term survivors. Predisposing, enabling, and need factors were strong predictors of CAM use in both populations.