Focus on Alternative and Complementary Therapies
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Focus Alternat Complement Ther©2005 Pharmaceutical Press
Focus Altern Complement Ther 2005; 10: 31–2
The purpose of the study was to better understand the use of CAM by Canadian cancer patients. This presentation focuses on the characteristics of patients who are using massage for cancer care, their perspectives on the benefits of massage and the determinants of massage use.
Following an initial stratified random sampling method, 2634 patients had their name forwarded to a centralised call-centre; 2064 (79%) completed the 30-min telephone survey on average 16 months after diagnosis. Questions gathered information about respondents’ characteristics, cancer treatment, CAM use for cancer and specific questions about the top 10 modalities selected by each individual respondent.
The prevalence of CAM in Canadian cancer patients was 43% (889). Of those, massage users represented 10%. The characteristics of massage users included a high proportion of women (87%) with post-secondary education (81%) and a higher than average socio-economic status (64%) who were working (69%). Over half (57%) had discussed use with their physician. Reasons for use included well-being and helping control side-effects from treatments. All users found massage very beneficial. Being a younger (20–49) single female living alone, with post-secondary education and previous CAM experience, were found to be determinants of massage utilisation.
The survey showed that massage is of benefit to cancer patients but interestingly 43% of them did not discuss use with their doctor. A utilisation gradient following socio-economic status was identified.
This research was funded by the National Cancer Institute of Canada, with funds from the Canadian Cancer Society.
