Abstract
BackgroundWeight gain is common after breast cancer (BC) treatment and may increase the risk of disease recurrence. Complementary medicine (CM) use is high amongst BC patients. This paper describes the use of CM from a cross-sectional self-administered survey on prevalence and management of weight after BC.MethodsUse of CM was assessed using a question modified from the I-CAM Questionnaire. Participants were asked to rate perceived effectiveness, advantages and disadvantages, and which CM they were willing to use for weight management if there was evidence for effectiveness. The survey was emailed to members of the Breast Cancer Network Australia Survey and Review Group, the largest consumer advocacy group in Australia for people with breast cancer.ResultsThere were a total of 309 responses. Three quarters had used CM in the past 12 months. One third had tried CM for weight loss. Yoga, meditation and pilates were perceived to be effective for weight loss. Perceived advantages of CMs for weight loss were the ability to improve general wellbeing, relaxation, and being non-pharmacological while disadvantages were financial cost, finding a reliable practitioner, and lack of research for effectiveness. Three quarters would be willing to try CM for weight loss if there was evidence for effectiveness, with the most popular CMs being acupuncture, relaxation, yoga, supplements, and meditation.ConclusionsThe high use of CM in this group is consistent with previous research. Our research suggests that BC survivors would use acupuncture, meditation, supplements and yoga for weight loss if supported by scientifically-credible evidence. Research into the effectiveness of these treatments on weight loss after BC is warranted.
Highlights
Weight gain is common after breast cancer (BC) treatment and may increase the risk of disease recurrence
Weight gain is common after a breast cancer diagnosis and may increase the risk of disease recurrence and allcause mortality, increase the burden of chronic disease from obesity-related disorders such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes, and have a significantly negative impact on quality of life [6]
Any woman living in Australia who self-identified as having BC was eligible to complete the survey
Summary
Weight gain is common after breast cancer (BC) treatment and may increase the risk of disease recurrence. Complementary medicine (CM) use is high amongst BC patients. Ee et al BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine (2019) 19:332. Weight gain is common after a breast cancer diagnosis and may increase the risk of disease recurrence and allcause mortality, increase the burden of chronic disease from obesity-related disorders such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes, and have a significantly negative impact on quality of life [6]. Weight gain after a BC diagnosis is thought to be multifactorial and related to the use of systemic treatment as well as changes in lifestyle [6, 7]. There is emerging evidence for the use of some CM to assist weight loss in the general population. Little is known about the use of CM for weight loss amongst women with BC, making it important to understand patterns and drivers of use of CM amongst women with BC
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