Women With Lung Cancer Use CAM
Till now, studies of CAM use by people with cancer have not focused specifically on women with lung cancer. However,
a new study by researchers from several nursing schools throughout the United States and from the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston surveyed 189 women with non–small cell lung cancer to determine their use of six complementary and alternative therapies.
Researchers found that 44% of women surveyed used CAM therapies in the following order: prayer (34.9%), meditation (11.6%), tea (11.6%), herbs (9%), massage (6.9%) and acupuncture (2.6%). The primary reasons given for using these therapies were to cope with difficult breathing and pain. Women who were younger, who had more symptoms and
who lived either on the West Coast or in the South were more likely to seek out CAM methods.
Study authors advised that those who work with people with lung cancer
should be aware of the prevalence of CAM therapy use. Further research could shed light on their value for helping women with lung cancer manage their symptoms.
The study appeared in Cancer Nursing (2007; 30 [1], 45–55).
Shirley Eichenberger-Archer, JD, MA
Shirley Archer, JD, MA, is an internationally acknowledged integrative health and mindfulness specialist, best-selling author of 16 fitness and wellness books translated into multiple languages and sold worldwide, award-winning health journalist, contributing editor to Fitness Journal, media spokesperson, and IDEA's 2008 Fitness Instructor of the Year. She's a 25-year industry veteran and former health and fitness educator at the Stanford Prevention Research Center, who has served on multiple industry committees and co-authored trade books and manuals for ACE, ACSM and YMCA of the USA. She has appeared on TV worldwide and was a featured trainer on America's Next Top Model.
