Table 3 Provider-based CAM modalities used by cancer patients, reason(s) for use, and adverse effects of treatment
Reason(s) for use (multiple choice) | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Total | Women | Men | p-value | To treat cancer or prevent it from spreading | To treat side effects or late effects of cancer/ cancer treatment | To strengthen the body / immune system | To increase quality of life, for coping, relaxation or well-being | Other reasons | Adverse effects of treatment | |
% (n) | % (n) | % (n) | % (n) | % (n) | % (n) | % (n) | % (n) | % (n) | ||
Massage/ aromatherapy | 19.3 (84) | 23.9 (70) | 9.8 (14) | < 0.001* | 0.0 (0) | 56.0 (47) | 22.6 (19) | 78.6 (66) | 0.0 (0) | 3.6 (3) |
Acupuncture | 11.0 (48) | 13.3 (39) | 6.3 (9) | 0.028* | 4.2 (2) | 70.8 (34) | 29.2 (14) | 47.9 (23) | 12.5 (6) | 10.4 (5) |
Naprapathy | 4.1 (18) | 3.8 (11) | 4.9 (7) | 0.574* | 0.0 (0) | 55.6 (10) | 33.3 (6) | 55.6 (10) | 33.3 (6) | 11.1 (2) |
Osteopathy | 4.1 (18) | 5.8 (17) | 0.7 (1) | 0.012* | 0.0 (0) | 83.3 (15) | 22.2 (4) | 44.4 (8) | 16.7 (3) | 0.0 (0) |
Healing | 3.9 (17) | 4.4 (13) | 2.8 (4) | 0.406* | 29.4 (5) | 23.5 (4) | 17.6 (3) | 67.7 (11) | 5.9 (1) | 5.9 (1) |
Reflexology | 2.3 (10) | 3.4 (10) | 0.0 (0) | 0.035^ | 0.0 (0) | 50.0 (5) | 80.0 (8) | 60.0 (6) | 20.0 (2) | 10.0 (1) |
Coaching | 2.3 (10) | 3.1 (9) | 0.7 (1) | 0.177^ | 0.0 (0) | 10.0 (1) | 0.0 (0) | 100 (10) | 10.0 (1) | 10.0 (1) |
Homeopathy | 1.8 (8) | 2.7 (8) | 0.0 (0) | 0.057^ | 12.5 (1) | 50.0 (4) | 50.0 (4) | 25.0 (2) | 37.5 (2) | 12.5 (1) |
Herbal therapy | 0.9 (4) | 1.4 (4) | 0.0 (0) | 0.309^ | 50.0 (2) | 75.0 (3) | 75.0 (3) | 50.0 (2) | 0.0 (0) | 25.0 (1) |
Rosen therapy | 0.2 (1) | 0.3 (1) | 0.0 (0) | 1.000^ | 0.0 (0) | 0.0 (0) | 0.0 (0) | 100 (1) | 0.0 (0) | 0.0 (0) |
Other provider-based therapies1 | 17.5 (75) | 20.6 (59) | 11.3 (16) | 0.016* | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Consultations with CAM providers | 32.8 (143) | 38.9 (114) | 20.3 (29) | < 0.001* | 7.0 (10) | 59.4 (85) | 30.1 (43) | 63.6 (91) | 9.1 (13) | 7.7 (11) |