Mamografi Ünitesine Başvuran Kadınlarda Geleneksel, Tamamlayıcı ve Alternatif Tıp Kullanımı: Tanımlayıcı Bir Araştırma

Abstract

Objective: The study aimed to determine the factors associated with the use of traditional, complementary and alternative medicine (TCAM) methods of women who applied to a mammography unit. Material and Methods: The descriptive study was carried out on 198 volunteer female patients. The data were obtained through a questionnaire form created by the researchers. Chi-square test was used in statistical analyses and p values lower than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. The required local ethics committee approval was obtained. Results: The mean age of the patients was 49.2±12.8 years, 29.3% applied for mammography screening and 70.7% applied for a control examination. The frequency of those who used any TCAM method was 47.5%. At the time of their initial diagnosis, 33% of the patients used TCAM during the treatment process. When comparing the sociodemographic features, reasons for admission, diagnosis times, and treatment methods of the used and non-used TCAM classes, no statistically significant differences were observed (p>0.05). And 60.0% of breast cancer patients who used TCAM and 81.3% of those with fibroadenome or breast cysts did not share information with their physicians that they used TCAM. Conclusion: Regardless of sociodemographic characteristics or breast disease diagnosis, it was determined that approximately half of the women who applied to the mammography unit used a TCAM method at any time in their lives. Considering that some TCAM methods can lead to diagnosis and treatment delays, we think that physicians questioning the use of TCAM in their patients should become a routine part of the examination.