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Alternative and complementary therapy use by women living with breast cancer : a test of three models Balneaves, Linda Georgie
Abstract
The overall aim of this study was to enhance knowledge of the experience of alternative and complementary therapy (ACT) use in women living with breast cancer. This was achieved by developing and testing three cognitive models of the causal relationships between selected health beliefs, sociobehavioural factors, demographic characteristics, and ACT utilization among women with breast cancer. The prevalence and patterns of ACT use were also examined. A retrospective, correlational survey design was used in this study. A random sample of 650 women with stage I or II breast cancer was selected from the British Columbia Cancer Registry, of which 577 women were eligible for study participation. Completed self-report questionnaires were received from 334 women. The survey included questions to assess perceived risk of breast cancer recurrence, symptom distress, perceived efficacy of ACTs , barriers to ACT use, perceived control, and ACT utilization. Descriptive statistics were used to describe ACT utilization. Structural equation modelling was used to test the three models of ACT use across the contexts of preventive, ameliorative, and restorative health behaviour. A substantial proportion of women with breast cancer was found to be using a variety of ACTs . Vitamin/mineral supplements, herbal remedies, and spiritual therapies were the most commonly reported ACTs, with the majority of women using fewer than five therapies following their breast cancer diagnosis and spending under $50.00 a month on ACTs . Women most often sought information about ACTs from lay sources, including family and friends and print media. The majority of women had disclosed their use of ACTs to at least one of their conventional health care provider(s). Women who had used ACTs prior to their breast cancer diagnosis and had received encouragement from significant others to use ACTs were found to have greater commitment to ACTs . Health beliefs were found to explain a minimal amount of variances in women's commitment to ACTs . Exceptions included perceived efficacy of ACTs with regards to restoring well being and perceived control over well being. Women who believed ACTs to be efficacious in improving physical and mental well being and perceived themselves to be responsible for their well being were more likely to be committed to ACTs . The study findings suggest that ACT use is a widespread phenomenon in breast cancer populations that is influenced most strongly by past health behaviour and the norms and preferences that exist within women's social groups. These findings also contribute to our understanding of ACT use by women with breast cancer as being a reflection of their commitment to self-care and wellness. The need for further research that explores the roles of family members and health care providers in treatment decisions related to ACTs and educational and counseling strategies that support informed treatment decision making are implications of this study.
Item Metadata
Title |
Alternative and complementary therapy use by women living with breast cancer : a test of three models
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Creator | |
Publisher |
University of British Columbia
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Date Issued |
2002
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Description |
The overall aim of this study was to enhance knowledge of the experience of alternative
and complementary therapy (ACT) use in women living with breast cancer. This was achieved
by developing and testing three cognitive models of the causal relationships between selected
health beliefs, sociobehavioural factors, demographic characteristics, and ACT utilization among
women with breast cancer. The prevalence and patterns of ACT use were also examined.
A retrospective, correlational survey design was used in this study. A random sample of
650 women with stage I or II breast cancer was selected from the British Columbia Cancer
Registry, of which 577 women were eligible for study participation. Completed self-report
questionnaires were received from 334 women. The survey included questions to assess
perceived risk of breast cancer recurrence, symptom distress, perceived efficacy of ACTs ,
barriers to ACT use, perceived control, and ACT utilization. Descriptive statistics were used to
describe ACT utilization. Structural equation modelling was used to test the three models of
ACT use across the contexts of preventive, ameliorative, and restorative health behaviour.
A substantial proportion of women with breast cancer was found to be using a variety of
ACTs . Vitamin/mineral supplements, herbal remedies, and spiritual therapies were the most
commonly reported ACTs, with the majority of women using fewer than five therapies following
their breast cancer diagnosis and spending under $50.00 a month on ACTs . Women most often
sought information about ACTs from lay sources, including family and friends and print media.
The majority of women had disclosed their use of ACTs to at least one of their conventional
health care provider(s). Women who had used ACTs prior to their breast cancer diagnosis and
had received encouragement from significant others to use ACTs were found to have greater
commitment to ACTs . Health beliefs were found to explain a minimal amount of variances in
women's commitment to ACTs . Exceptions included perceived efficacy of ACTs with regards to
restoring well being and perceived control over well being. Women who believed ACTs to be
efficacious in improving physical and mental well being and perceived themselves to be
responsible for their well being were more likely to be committed to ACTs .
The study findings suggest that ACT use is a widespread phenomenon in breast cancer
populations that is influenced most strongly by past health behaviour and the norms and
preferences that exist within women's social groups. These findings also contribute to our
understanding of ACT use by women with breast cancer as being a reflection of their
commitment to self-care and wellness. The need for further research that explores the roles of
family members and health care providers in treatment decisions related to ACTs and
educational and counseling strategies that support informed treatment decision making are
implications of this study.
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Extent |
18925962 bytes
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Genre | |
Type | |
File Format |
application/pdf
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Language |
eng
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Date Available |
2009-09-29
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Provider |
Vancouver : University of British Columbia Library
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Rights |
For non-commercial purposes only, such as research, private study and education. Additional conditions apply, see Terms of Use https://open.library.ubc.ca/terms_of_use.
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DOI |
10.14288/1.0090653
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URI | |
Degree | |
Program | |
Affiliation | |
Degree Grantor |
University of British Columbia
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Graduation Date |
2002-11
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Campus | |
Scholarly Level |
Graduate
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Aggregated Source Repository |
DSpace
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Item Media
Item Citations and Data
Rights
For non-commercial purposes only, such as research, private study and education. Additional conditions apply, see Terms of Use https://open.library.ubc.ca/terms_of_use.