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Complementary Medicine Use among Women Enrolled in a Genetic Testing Program¹

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts 02115

The purpose of this study is to explore complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use and factors influencing CAM use by women enrolled in a genetic testing program for predisposition to breast/ovarian cancer. A cohort of 236 high-risk women completed baseline questionnaires at enrollment into BRCA1/2 testing program. CAM use and correlates of use were assessed using logistic regression models. CAM was used by 53% of the overall cohort. Cancer survivors reported significantly more use of complementary treatments than did unaffected women (61 versus 42%; P < 0.05). Participants had good overall health behaviors; daily fruit/vegetable consumption was significantly related to CAM use. Increased depression level, knowledge of cancer genetics, and frequency of breast self-examination were significantly associated with using CAM for cancer survivors. Among unaffected women only, cancer risk perception and sunscreen use were significantly correlated with CAM use. Recognition of heightened breast cancer risk is correlated with increased complementary therapy use by unaffected women undergoing genetic testing for cancer predisposition but not to the extent that cancer survivors use these strategies. Any potential effects of the genetic information itself on CAM use, and any possible relationship of CAM use to other risk reduction behaviors, require further research.

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