Abstract
Little is known about men with prostate cancer who decline conventional treatment and use only complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). To 1) explore why men decline conventional prostate cancer treatment and use CAM 2) understand the role of holistic healing in their care, and 3) document their recommendations for health care providers. Semi-structured interviews and follow-up focus groups. Twenty-nine men diagnosed with prostate cancer who declined all recommended conventional treatments and used CAM. Based on strong beliefs about healing, study participants took control by researching the risks of delaying or declining conventional treatment while using CAM as a first option. Most perceived conventional treatment to have a negative impact on quality of life. Participants sought healing in a broader mind, body, spirit context, developing individualized CAM approaches consistent with their beliefs about the causes of cancer. Most made significant lifestyle changes to improve their health. Spirituality was central to healing for one-third of the sample. Participants recommended a larger role for integrated cancer care. Men who decline conventional prostate cancer treatment and use CAM only may benefit from a whole person approach to care where physicians support them to play an active role in healing while carefully monitoring their disease status.
Highlights
Most perceived conventional treatment to have a negative impact on quality of life
Participants sought healing in a broader mind, body, spirit context, developing individualized Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) approaches consistent with their beliefs about the causes of cancer
Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use by men with prostate cancer has become increasingly popular in recent years
Summary
Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use by men with prostate cancer has become increasingly popular in recent years. Cassileth et al (2003) reported that 14% of cancer patients in the United States who used CAM declined conventional treatment; their reasons for doing so were not addressed. Results of a small ethnographic study (n = 8) of cancer patients suggest that emotional factors such as anger and fear, sense of control over their illness, and spirituality may influence the decision to decline conventional treatment. These patients held strong beliefs about the potential of CAM to cure their cancer (Montbriand, 1998). Shumay et al.’s (2001) interviews with fourteen cancer survivors revealed that the desire to avoid damage or harm to the body was the most
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