The Relationship Between Cancer Patients' Supportive Care Needs and Their Attitudes Toward Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

BACKGROUND: Cancer patients have high supportive care needs related to the nature of the disease and treatment methods. To meet these needs or reduce symptoms, patients can be expected to resort to alternative treatment methods. AIM: To examine the relationship between the supportive care needs of cancer patients and their attitudes toward complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study involving 289 cancer patients at the Oncology Hospital in east of Turkey. Short-Form Supportive Care Needs Survey Questionnaire (SCNS-SF 29) and Holistic Complementary and Alternative Medicine Questionnaire (HCAMQ) were standard instruments used for data collection. The association between supportive care needs and attitude toward CAM was determined. RESULTS: The mean age of the study participants was 56.7 ± 12.7 years. There were 180 females (62.3%) and 109 males (37.7%). The mean score of the SCNS-SF 29 of the study participant was 101.19 ± 33.97. It was found that the patients' psychological needs were the highest, followed by health services and information, daily life, and sexuality needs, respectively. The mean score of the HCAMQ was 27.16 ± 9.54. There was a weak, significant negative correlation between HCAM and psychological supportive care needs (r: -0.240, P: 0.003). However, there was no significant relationship between needs related to health services information, daily life sexuality, and attitudes toward CAM. CONCLUSIONS: Cancer patients have high supportive care requirements. Those with high psychological needs have a positive attitude toward HCAM. Incorporation of HCAM in the care of cancer patients may improve their quality of care.

Effects of COVID-19 fear and anxiety on attitudes towards complementary and alternative medicine use in women with gynecological cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic.

OBJECTIVE: Patients with gynecological cancer commonly use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) methods to cope with the disease. However, despite the existence of treatment strategies, the effect of fear and anxiety caused by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on attitudes about CAM use is unclear. This study was carried out to investigate the effect of fear and anxiety experienced by patients with gynecological cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic on their attitudes towards the use of CAM. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional and descriptive study that included 177 women with gynecological cancer; participants were recruited from a social networking site for cancer patients in Turkey between June and December 2021. Data were collected using an online survey that included the Personal Information Form, the Fear of COVID-19 Scale, the Coronavirus Anxiety Scale, and the Attitude Towards Holistic Complementary and Alternative Medicine Scale. Descriptive statistics, t-test, Pearson's correlation test, and simple linear and multiple regression analyses were performed to analyze the data. RESULTS: During the pandemic, 55.4% of the participants reported using CAM methods, but only 22.6% were using CAM before the pandemic. The participants who used CAM during the pandemic also scored higher on the fear of COVID-19 and coronavirus anxiety scales (20.69 ± 5.37 and 13.09 ± 6.29, respectively) compared to the participants who did not use CAM (9.29 ± 2.72 and 6.35 ± 2.06, respectively). Fear of COVID-19 accounted for 52% of the CAM attitude score, while coronavirus anxiety accounted for 15% of the CAM attitude score. Fear of COVID-19 and coronavirus anxiety together accounted for 53% of CAM attitude. CONCLUSION: Gynecological cancer patients with high levels of COVID-19-related anxiety and fear during the pandemic used CAM more. Given that the psychological effects of the pandemic will continue in the coming years, CAM use should be evaluated as a coping strategy, especially due to the COVID-19-related anxiety and fear experienced by patients with gynecological cancer. While the rational and effective CAM methods should be supported, strategies should be developed to prevent misuse of CAM and its interference in prescribed medical treatments. Please cite this article as: Uslu-Sahan F, Yesilcinar I, Kurt G, Hancer E, Guvenc G. Effects of COVID-19 fear and anxiety on attitudes towards complementary and alternative medicine use in women with gynecological cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic. J Integr Med. 2023; 21(4): 377-384.

Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use in Patients With Cancer and Immigration Background.

PURPOSE: Studies have shown that patients with cancer are more likely to use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) than noncancer patients for symptom relief and hope. We aimed to evaluate factors of race, ethnic groups, and immigration status in attitude of patients with cancer in seeking out CAM. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This is a prospective questionnaire study where information on demographics, cancer information, race/ethnicity, immigration duration, and psychosocial factors was correlated with the CAM use in a community cancer center located in the borough of Brooklyn, at New York City. RESULTS: Among 658 patients, the prevalence of CAM use was 66.11%. CAM use was 71.98% in females and 54.34% in males (P = .113 × 10-4). Patients of African descent had higher CAM use (72.73%) than the White patients (63.53%; P = .0371). There was no difference of CAM use between the US born (68.77%) and the immigrants (63.98%, P = .199) as a whole; however, comparing with the US born (66.50%), Asian-born immigrants had lower CAM use (53.77%, P = .0161), whereas Latin-American born had a numerical trend toward higher CAM use (74.83%, P = .0608). The number of years of living in the United States was not associated with more CAM use. Prayer and spirituality was the most common CAM subtype used (25.91%). There was no difference in CAM use in the respective non-White ethnic groups whether they were US born or non-US born. CONCLUSION: In this cohort of patients with cancer enriched with immigration background, CAM use was the highest in African American patients. The use of CAM in the non-White patients was associated with their ethnic background, regardless whether they were US born or not. Cultural roots appeared to be a strong influencing factor for the usage of CAM.

Decision-making by cancer patients and the role of a counselling facility for complementary and alternative medicine: a cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this cohort study was to gain insight on influencing factors on the decision-making process in conventional medicine compared to complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). METHODS: A standardized questionnaire was distributed among cancer patients who attended the counselling facility for CAM of a German university hospital in 2020. RESULTS: Fifty patients (30.3%) returned the questionnaire. After counselling on CAM, most patients made a decision in CAM but also in conventional medicine. Thus, the focus on informed decision-making during counselling on CAM had a strong effect on the decision-making process in conventional medicine. Patients reporting good support also reported making decisions together with physicians and relatives. Moreover, after counselling on CAM, patients reported being more satisfied with their decision in both settings afterwards. CONCLUSION: Information on CAM which focuses on informed decision-making, supports patient's ability to understand and weigh risks and benefits of treatments, supports shared decision-making and enables patients to transfer these competences also to decisions on conventional medicine. So counselling on CAM may further decision-making competences in cancer patients. This encourages patients to engage in shared decision-making and increases patient's satisfaction with decisions.

German physicians' perceptions and views on complementary medicine in pediatric oncology: a qualitative study.

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use in children with cancer has a high prevalence. If (parents of) patients bring up the topic of CAM, pediatric oncologists (POs) face considerable challenges regarding knowledge and professional behavior. In this study, we explore German POs' understanding of CAM and related attitudes as well as challenges and strategies related to CAM discussions by means of semi-structured interviews analyzed according to principles of qualitative thematic analysis with parents of children with cancer. We could conduct 14 interviews prior to theoretical saturation. The interviews had a duration of 15-82 min (M = 30.8, SD = 18.2). Professional experience in pediatric oncology was between 0.5 and 26 years (M = 13.8, SD = 7.6). Main themes identified were a heterogeneous understanding and evaluation of CAM, partly influenced by personal experiences and individual views on plausibility; the perception that CAM discussions are a possible tool for supporting parents and their children and acknowledgement of limitations regarding implementation of CAM discussions; and uncertainty and different views regarding professional duties and tasks when being confronted with CAM as a PO. Our interdisciplinary interpretation of findings with experts from (pediatric) oncology, psychology, and ethics suggests that there is need for development of a consensus on the minimal professional standards regarding addressing CAM in pediatric oncology.

Associação entre temperamento e o uso de práticas da medicina alternativa e complementar / Association between temperament and the use of complementary and alternative medicine practices / Asociación entre temperamento y uso de prácticas de medicina alternativa y complementaria

Trata-se de um estudo brasileiro, transversal, mediado pela Internet com o objetivo de descrever como diferenças temperamentais associam-se ao uso de oito práticas de medicina alternativa e complementar (MAC): ioga, meditação, reiki, acupuntura, massagem, tai chi chuan, homeopatia e floral. A amostra foi composta por 22.415 indivíduos, sendo 69,5% mulheres, com idade média de 28,8 anos (DP = 9,1). As práticas mais utilizadas foram massagem e ioga e as variáveis sexo, idade, renda e diagnóstico psicopatológico ao longo da vida associaram-se a todas as práticas, exceto com tai chi chuan. Análise inferencial se baseou em modelo de regressão logística e os resultados foram calculados com base na razão de chances com intervalo de confiança de 95%. Observou-se que manifestações adaptativas de traços e de tipos psicológicos, associaram-se a maiores chances de praticar MAC. Resultados sugerem que perfis com maior regulação emocional tendem a utilizar mais frequentemente MAC e, possivelmente, obter benefícios. (AU)

The present study is a cross-sectional web-based survey conducted in Brazil aiming to describe how individual differences in temperament traits and types could predict the use of the following eight categories of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM): yoga, meditation, reiki, acupuncture, massage, tai chi chuan, homeopathy, and flower remedies. The sample consisted of 22,415 individuals, 69.5% of whom were women, with a mean age of 28.8 years (SD= 9.1). The most commonly used practices were massage and yoga and the variables sex, age, income, and psychopathological diagnosis throughout life were associated with all practices, except tai chi chuan. The inferential analysis relied on logistic regressions and results were calculated based on the odd ratios with 95% confidence intervals. Adaptive manifestations of psychological traits and types were associated with greater use of complementary and alternative medicine practices. Results suggested that profiles with greater emotional regulation tend to use CAM more frequently and possibly obtain benefits. (AU)

Se trata de un estudio brasileño, transversal, mediado por Internet, con el objetivo de describir cómo las diferencias temperamentales se asocian con el uso de ocho prácticas de medicina alternativa y complementaria (MAC): yoga, meditación, reiki, acupuntura, masaje, tai chi chuan, homeopatía y floral. La muestra estuvo compuesta por 22.415 individuos, de los cuales 69,5 % eran mujeres, con una edad media de 28,8 años (DS= 9,1). Las prácticas más utilizadas fueron el masaje y el yoga, y las variables sexo, edad, renta y diagnóstico psicopatológico a lo largo de la vida se asociaron a todas las prácticas, excepto al tai chi chuan. El análisis inferencial se basó en un modelo de regresión logística y los resultados se calcularon con base en la odds ratio con un intervalo de confianza del 95 %. Se observó que las manifestaciones adaptativas de rasgos y tipos psicológicos se asociaron con mayores posibilidades de practicar MAC. Los resultados sugieren que los perfiles con mayor regulación emocional tienden a usar MAC con mayor frecuencia y, posiblemente, obtienen beneficios. (AU)

Promoção da saúde mental dos trabalhadores da saúde: as práticas integrativas e complementares como estratégias de cuidado / Promoting the mental health of health workers: integrative andcomplementary practices as care strategies / Promoción de la salud mental del trabajadores de salud: prácticas integradoras y complementarias como estrategias de cuidado

Introdução:É indispensável entender a saúde mental por meio das relações históricas e socioculturais que o indivíduo mantém com o outro, com a comunidade e com o meio em que trabalha. Percebe-se que os aspectos referentes às conceituações de saúde não estão em consonância com a realidade dos profissionais de saúde no Brasil. Como forma de promover o autocuidado, as Práticas Integrativas e Complementares apresentam-se como uma estratégia de promoção da saúde mental dos trabalhadores da saúde. Objetivo:Descrever as experiências de realização de ações de promoção da saúde mental dos trabalhadores da saúde em um hospital geral do interior do Rio Grande do Norte. Metodologia:Trata-se de um estudo do tipo relato de experiência, desenvolvido a partir da realização de açõesde promoção à saúde mental dos trabalhadores no contexto do "Setembro Amarelo" e "Janeiro Branco", desenvolvidas pela equipe de Residência Multiprofissional em Saúde Materno-Infantil da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte. Resultados e Discussão:Os profissionais foram instigados a refletir sobre a temática e relacionar com as suas vivências, discutindo estratégias de autocuidado no ambiente de trabalho. Observou-se a predominância dos profissionais de enfermagem em relação às demais categorias profissionais. Estes relataram que os momentos foram prazerosos e o sentiram como uma oportunidade de relaxamento no ambiente de trabalho, desejando que estes pudessem ocorrer com mais frequência. Conclusões:As ações desenvolvidas e descritas se mostraram como estratégias importantes para a discussão e sensibilização sobre a temática, bem como a relevância de estratégias de promoção à saúde mental nos espaços ocupacionais do Sistema Único de Saúde (AU).

Introduction:It is essential to understand mental health through the historical and sociocultural relationships that the person maintains with each other, with the community and with the place on which he works. It is noticed that the aspects referring to health concepts are not into the reality of health professionals in Brazil. As a way of promoting self-care, the integrative and complementary practices are presented as a strategy to promote the mental health of health workers. Objective:To report the experiences ofaccomplishment of actions to promote the mental health of health workers in a general hospital in the countryside of Rio Grande do Norte. Methodology:This is an experience report study, developed from the implementation of actions to promote the mental health of workers in the context of "Yellow September" and "White January", performed by the Maternal Childlike Multiprofessional Residency team of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte. Results and Discussion:The professionals were encouraged to reflect on the theme and relate it with their experiences, discussing self-care strategies in the work environment. There was a prevalence of nursing professionals in relation to other professional categories. They reported that the moments were pleasant and felt it as an opportunity for relaxation in the work environment, wishing that these could happen more often.Conclusions:The actions developed and described proved to be important strategies for the discussion and awareness of the subject, as well as the relevance of strategies to promote mental health in the occupational spaces of the Unified Health System (AU).

Introducción: Es fundamental comprender la saludmental a través de las relaciones históricas y socioculturales que el individuo mantiene con el otro, con la comunidad y con el medio en el que se desenvuelve. Se nota que los aspectos referentes a los conceptos de salud no están en consonancia con la realidad de los profesionales de la salud en Brasil. Como una forma de promover el autocuidado, las Prácticas Integrativas y Complementarias se presentan como una estrategia para promover la salud mental de los trabajadores del área. Objetivo: Describir las experiencias de realización de acciones de promoción de la salud mental de los trabajadores de la salud en un hospital general en el interior del Rio Grande do Norte. Metodología: Se trata de un estudio de relato de experiencia, desarrollado a partir de la implementación de acciones de promoción de la salud mental de los trabajadores en el contexto de "Septiembre Amarillo" y "Enero Blanco", diseñado por el equipo de Residencia Multiprofesional en Salud Materno-Infantil de la Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte. Resultados y Discusiones: Los profesionales fueron estimulados a reflexionar sobre el tema y relacionarlo con sus experiencias, discutiendo estrategias de autocuidado en el ambiente de trabajo. Hubo predominio de los profesionales de enfermeríaen relación a las demás categorías profesionales. Ellos dijeron que los momentos fueron agradables y lo sintieron como una oportunidad de relajación en el ambiente de trabajo, deseando que estos pudieran ocurrir con mayor frecuencia. Conclusiones: Las acciones desarrolladas y descritas demostraron ser estrategias importantes para la discusión y sensibilización sobre el tema, así como la pertinencia de las estrategias de promoción de la salud mental en los espacios ocupacionales del Sistema Único de Salud (AU).

Traits of cancer patients and CAM usage.

BACKGROUND: The use of Complementary Alternative Medicine (CAM) Methods is increasing and therefore gaining importance also in conventional western medicine. Identifying personal traits to make out by whom and why CAM is used can help physicians in successful physician-patient interaction, and thus improve patient's compliance and trust towards their physician. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A questionnaire was passed on to cancer patients in an ambulant clinical and a rehabilitation setting. Multiple regression analyses were run to examine possible predictors for CAM use, such as gender, age, level of education, spirituality, attentiveness, self-efficacy and resilience. To differentiate within CAM users, two dependent variables were created: "holistic and mind-body methods", such as Yoga, meditation or Homeopathy and "material based methods", such as food supplements or vitamins. RESULTS: Higher level of education, younger age and religion-independent attentiveness were significant predictors for the use of "material based methods". Female gender, higher education and religious spirituality were detected as significant predictors for "holistic and mind-body methods". CONCLUSION: This study is among the first to take a more detailed look at how numerous personal traits are associated with the use of CAM methods and differentiate between the applied methods. Our finding should be considered by conventional health care providers and could be integrated into a holistic assessment, to offer information about complementary medicine and meeting patients' needs.

Autonomia e Práticas Integrativas e Complementares: significados e relações para usuários e profissionais da Atenção Primária à Saúde / Autonomy and integrative and complementary practices: meanings and relations through the lens of Primary Health Care service users and professionals / Autonomía y Prácticas Integrativas y Complementarias: significados y relaciones para usuarios y profesionales de la Atención Primaria de la Salud

Este estudo investigou os significados de autonomia em saúde e de Práticas Integrativas e Complementares (PIC) atribuídos por usuários e profissionais de um Centro de Saúde (CS) e as possíveis contribuições das PIC para a autonomia do usuário. Foi realizada uma pesquisa qualitativa, cujas informações foram obtidas mediante entrevistas semiestruturadas, gravadas em áudio e interpretadas mediante análise de conteúdo. Participaram 18 indivíduos, entre frequentadores de um grupo de yoga, do serviço de acupuntura e profissionais de um CS de Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brasil. Os resultados revelaram entendimentos múltiplos sobre autonomia em saúde e diferenças entre as PIC investigadas, yoga e acupuntura, o que pareceu relacionado à primeira prática estar mais inserida na lógica da promoção da saúde que a segunda, mais restrita ao âmbito da clínica. (AU)

This study investigated meanings of autonomy and integrative and complementary practices (ICPs) assigned by health center (HC) patients and professionals and the potential contribution of ICPs to patient autonomy. We conducted a qualitative study based on data obtained from semi-structured interviews recorded and interpreted using content analysis. Eighteen individuals participated in the study, including members of a yoga group, acupuncture service users, and professionals from a HC in Florianopolis, Brazil. The findings reveal multiple understandings of patient autonomy and differences between the ICPs investigated (yoga and acupuncture). This seemed to be related to the fact that the former is more nested in the health promotion logic than the latter, which is more restricted to the clinical approach. (AU)

Este estudio investigó los significados de autonomía en salud y de Prácticas Integrativas y Complementarias (PIC) atribuidos por usuarios y profesionales de un Centro de Salud (CS) y las posibles contribuciones de las PIC para la autonomía del usuario. Se realizó una investigación cualitativa, cuyas informaciones se obtuvieron por medio de entrevistas semiestructuradas, grabadas en audio e interpretadas por medio del análisis de contenido. Participaron 18 individuos, entre frecuentadores de un grupo de yoga, del servicio de acupuntura y profesionales de un CS de Florianópolis, Santa Catarina - Brasil. Los resultados revelaron entendimientos múltiples sobre autonomía en salud y diferencias entre las PIC investigadas, yoga y acupuntura, lo que pareció estar relacionado con que la primera práctica estaba más inserida en la lógica de la promoción de la salud que la segunda, más restringida al ámbito de la clínica. (AU)

Do women who consult with naturopaths or herbalists have a healthy lifestyle?: a secondary analysis of the Australian longitudinal study on women's health.

BACKGROUND: Australians report consulting with a naturopaths or herbalists to improve their wellbeing, yet little is known about the associations between these consultations and the patients' health behaviours. This cross-sectional study aimed to examine the relationship between health behaviour and consultations with naturopaths or herbalists in three age cohorts of Australian women. METHODS: Women aged 19-25 years, 31-36 years, and 62-67 years from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health (ALSWH) were surveyed regarding smoking, alcohol or drug use, physical activity and dietary behaviour; and whether they consulted with naturopath/herbalists in the last 12 months. Associations were analysed using multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: A total of 9151 (19-25 years), 8200 (31-36 years) and 11,344 (62-67 years) women were included in the analysis. Between 7.3 and 11.9% of women reported to have consulted with naturopaths/herbalists in the last 12 months. Women of all cohorts consulting with naturopath/herbalist were less likely to smoke (19-25 yrs.: Odds Ratio [OR] 0.61; 31-36 years: OR 0.58; 62-67 years: OR 0.29), more likely to report at least moderate levels of physical activity (19-25 yrs.: OR 1.41; 31-36 years: OR 1.34; 62-67 years: OR 1.34), and the use of vegetarian diets(19-25 yrs.: OR 1.40; 31-36 years: OR 1.77; 62-67 years: OR 2.28), compared to women not consulting with naturopaths/herbalists. Women consulting with naturopaths/herbalists however were also more likely to have used marijuana (19-25 yrs.: OR 1.18; 31-36 years: OR 1.42), or illicit drugs in the last 12 months (19-25 yrs.: OR 1.24; 31-36 years: OR 1.40). CONCLUSIONS: Consultations with a naturopath or herbalist are associated with positive health behaviours that are protective of internationally important non-communicable diseases. Psychoactive drug use is also reported among women visiting a naturopath or herbalist. Further research is needed to understand the role naturopaths play in advising patients with regards to health and non-healthy behaviours.

Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Radiotherapy: A Comprehensive Review.

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) approaches are widely used by patients throughout a broad range of medical fields and diseases, and often self-administered by patients without the involvement of physicians or other members of the health care team. CAM use is well documented in cancer and chronic illnesses, and emerging data in radiation oncology show CAM usage of 26% to 97% in radiation therapy patients. No information is, however, available on CAM usage in radiology and in the imaging procedure fields. This article reviews the fundamental principles and the experience with the wide spectrum of CAM in radiation oncology-a field that shares many parallels with radiology, such as prevalence of imaging, procedural requirements, and cooperation demanded from patients.CAM is defined as "approaches and practices that are typically not part of conventional medical care," and includes the use of mind- and body-based practices (eg, meditation, massage, acupuncture), natural products (eg, herbs, vitamins, minerals), and other interventions. Supplements are used frequently to alleviate side effects of therapy and promote overall well-being. Specifically, the mindfulness/meditation approaches of CAM are known to reduce anxiety and enhance physical and emotional wellbeing in patients with chronic diseases, such as cancer or neurologic diseases, through physiological, psychological, and perhaps placebo mechanisms. Such patients often require repetitive and invasive imaging examinations or procedures, such as for cancer treatment, cancer surveillance/follow-up, or monitoring of chronic diseases, for example, surveillance MRI in multiple sclerosis. Such parallels suggest that the vastly understudied area of CAMs deserve further investigation in both the radiation oncology and the imaging fields. Further research on CAM is needed to develop refined recommendations and national/and international guidelines on its use.

Attitudes Underlying Reliance on Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

Objective: We aimed to map attitudes underlying complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use, especially those involved in "dysfunctional CAM reliance," that is, forgoing biomedical treatment in a life-threatening situation in favor of alternative treatment. Analyses of modifiable determinants of CAM use were conducted at a sufficiently specific level to inform intervention development. Methods: We collected usable data on CAM-related attitudinal beliefs from 151 participants in Budapest with varying degrees of CAM use, which we analyzed using confidence interval-based estimation of relevance plots. Results: Although there were beliefs that the entire sample shared, there was a marked difference between the biomedical and CAM groups. These differences were beliefs concerning trust in various medical systems, the level of importance assigned to emotions in falling ill, and vitalism or Eastern concepts. Regarding CAM users in general, the most successful intervention targets are beliefs in vitalism on the one hand, and distrust in biomedicine on the other. In addressing dysfunctional CAM use specifically, the most significant beliefs pertain to "natural" cures and reliance on biomedical testing. Conclusions: Albeit much research has been carried out on the motivations behind CAM use, rarely do studies treat CAM users separately in order to scrutinize patterns of nonconventional medicine use and underlying cognition. This is the first study to begin pinpointing specific attitudes involved in dysfunctional CAM use to inform future intervention development. Such interventions would be essential for the prevention of incidents and mortality.

The use of CAM products, practices, and practitioners by long-term endometrial cancer survivors in Australia.

BACKGROUND: The use of complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) has been reported to be frequent and increasing in the general population and among cancer survivors. Very few studies have investigated the use of CAM among long-term endometrial cancer survivors. To address this gap in evidence, this qualitative study aimed to understand the use of CAM and factors motivating the use among long-term survivors of endometrial cancer. METHODS: Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with 17 women diagnosed with endometrial cancer 7-10 years previously, to understand their CAM use and its impact on their wellbeing. Thematic analysis was performed by two researchers to extract the most relevant quotes related to CAM products, practices, and practitioners. RESULTS: All 17 women interviewed used some type of CAM practices, practitioners, or products, specifically 94% concentrated on their diet, 88% focused on their exercise, 59% used a CAM product, 53% visited a CAM practitioner, and 18% used a CAM psychological approach. The main motivators for CAM use included to reduce physical and psychological symptoms, and to stop or reduce medications. Women reported a lack of lifestyle advice from their traditional medical healthcare team which they therefore tried to obtain from other sources. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest CAM practices, practitioners, or products form an important part of women's healthcare options and are commonly used by long-term endometrial cancer survivors. Our data can be of importance to health care professionals and hospitals, as it reflects an unfulfilled need among cancer survivors that does not currently appear to be met by their traditional healthcare team.

Ketogenic and low-sugar diets for patients with cancer: perceptions and practices of medical oncologists in Canada.

PURPOSE: Many patients with cancer are interested in complementary therapies, including strategies such as reduced carbohydrate diets. Guidelines regarding the use of these diets during cancer treatment are lacking; therefore, we aimed to explore the perceptions and practices of medical oncologists in Canada regarding low-sugar and ketogenic diets. METHOD: A cross-sectional, online multiple-choice survey was distributed to 206 Canadian medical oncologists. Questions explored frequency of patient interactions, oncologist perceptions of efficacy, advice given to patients, and concerns about side effects related to reduced carbohydrate diets. RESULTS: Responses were received from 57 medical oncologists in seven of thirteen provinces and territories, with an overall response rate of 28%. Forty-nine percent of respondents were asked at least weekly about a low-sugar diet, and 9% about the ketogenic diet. Eighty-five percent supported the use of a low-added sugar diet in patients with diabetes or hyperglycemia, while conversely 87% did not support the use of a ketogenic diet for any of their patients undergoing active cancer treatment. Respondents felt either that a ketogenic diet was not effective (31%) or that the effect on cancer outcomes was unknown (69%). Ninety-six percent of respondents had concerns about a ketogenic diet for patients receiving active cancer treatment. CONCLUSION: The role of reduced carbohydrate diets during cancer treatment is topical. Canadian oncologists are particularly reluctant to support a ketogenic diet for patients on active cancer treatment, with concerns about side effects and unknown efficacy. There may be a role for continuing medical education and institutional guidelines to inform these discussions with patients.

A roda de conversa como instrumento de cuidado e promoção da saúde mental: percepção dos usuários dos CAPS / The conversation circle as an instrument of care and promotion of mental health: perception of CAPS users / La rueda de conversación como instrumento de cuidado y promoción de la salud mental: percepción de los usuarios de CAPS

Objetivo: Descrever a percepção dos usuários de cada CAPS quanto à roda de conversa. Metodologia: Pesquisa transversal descritiva com abordagem qualitativa em que foi priorizada a fala dos usuários participantes por meio de entrevistas, observações sistemáticas e registro em diário de campo. Resultados e Discussão: Esse estudo nos mostrou que a roda de conversa se compõe como uma ferramenta terapêutica que auxilia na reabilitação dos usuários dos CAPS, reduzindo as tensões relacionadas às crises psicóticas e as recaídas do álcool e outras drogas no seu tratamento. Conclusão: A roda de conversa funciona como um dispositivo positivo para o cuidado e a promoção da saúde mental dos usuários dos CAPS.(AU)

Objective: To describe the perception of the users of each CAPS regarding the conversation circle. Methodology: Descriptive cross-sectional research with a qualitative approach in which the speech of the participating users was prioritized through interviews, systematic observations and record in a field diary. Results and Discussion: This study showed us that the conversation wheel is composed as a therapeutic tool that helps in the rehabilitation of CAPS users, reducing tensions related to psychotic crises and relapses of alcohol and other drugs in their treatment. Conclusion: The conversation wheel works as a positive device for the care and promotion of the mental health of CAPS users.(AU)

Objetivo: Describir la percepción de los usuarios de cada CAPS con respecto al círculo de conversación. Metodología: investigación transversal descriptiva con un enfoque cualitativo en el que se priorizó el discurso de los usuarios participantes a través de entrevistas, observaciones sistemáticas y registro en un diario de campo. Resultados y discusión: Este estudio nos mostró que el círculo de conversación está compuesto como una herramienta terapéutica que ayuda en la rehabilitación de los usuarios de CAPS, reduciendo las tensiones relacionadas con las crisis psicóticas y las recaídas de alcohol y otras drogas en su tratamiento. Conclusión: La rueda de conversación funciona como un dispositivo positivo para el cuidado y la promoción de la salud mental de los usuarios de CAPS.(AU)

A vivência da corporeidade por pessoas com deficiência visual por meio da Biodanza / Bodily experience through Biodanza in people with visual impairment / La vivencia de corporeidad en personas con deficiencia visual a través de la Biodanza

Objetivo: refletir sobre a vivência da corporeidade por pessoas portadoras de deficiência visual. Conteúdo: são poucas as oportunidades oferecidas às pessoas portadoras de deficiência visual de experimentar o seu corpo em movimento, experienciar sua corporeidade, num mundo onde a conexão com o corpo está cada vez mais se distanciando no dia-a-dia. O método utilizado é trazido, principalmente, por Rolando Toro Araneda, no tocante à importância de ambientes pedagógicos, como a Biodanza, para que a vivência da corporeidade seja resgatada. Conclusão: este processo reflexivo permitiu considerar, que a prática da Biodanza pelas pessoas em questão, contribui no resgate da sua corporeidade, por possibilitar a ampliação de seus repertórios motores através da dança e de um reaprendizado emocional através da vivência. Oferece contribuição à enfermagem, uma vez que amplia o leque de possibilidades para a expansão do olhar empático do enfermeiro para essas questões, em sua prática profissional.

Objective: to reflect on body experience in people with sight loss. Content: people with visual impairment are offered few opportunities to experience their body in motion and to experience their corporality, in a world where connection with the body is increasingly distant in daily life. The method used was drawn mainly from Rolando Toro Araneda, as regards the importance of teaching environments, such as Biodanza, for the experience of corporality to be restored. Conclusion: this reflective process made it possible to assert that, for the people in question, the practice of Biodanza contributed to restoring their corporality by enabling their motor repertoires to be expanded through dance and an emotional relearning through lived experience. It offers a contribution to nursing, since it broadens the range of possibilities for expanding nurses' empathetic regard to these issues as they practice their profession.

Objetivo: reflexionar sobre la vivencia de corporeidad en personas portadoras de deficiencia visual. Contenido: son pocas las oportunidades ofrecidas a las personas portadoras de deficiencia visual de tener la experiencia de su cuerpo en movimiento, de su corporeidad, en un mundo donde la conexión con el cuerpo está alejándose cada vez más en el cotidiano. El método usado lo aporta, principalmente, Rolando Toro Araneda, en lo que se refiere a la importancia de ambientes pedagógicos, como la Biodanza, para rescatar la vivencia de corporeidad. Conclusión: este proceso reflexivo permitió considerar que la práctica de Biodanza por las personas en cuestión, contribuye para el rescate de la corporeidad por posibilitar la ampliación de sus repertorios motores a través de la danza y de un reaprendizaje emocional a través de la vivencia. Contribuye también a la enfermería, ya que amplía el abanico de posibilidades para la expansión de la mirada empática del enfermero a esas cuestiones, en su práctica profesional.

Prevalence of and attitudes towards complementary therapy use for weight after breast cancer in Australia: a national survey.

BACKGROUND: Weight gain is common after breast cancer (BC) treatment and may increase the risk of disease recurrence. Complementary medicine (CM) use is high amongst BC patients. This paper describes the use of CM from a cross-sectional self-administered survey on prevalence and management of weight after BC. METHODS: Use of CM was assessed using a question modified from the I-CAM Questionnaire. Participants were asked to rate perceived effectiveness, advantages and disadvantages, and which CM they were willing to use for weight management if there was evidence for effectiveness. The survey was emailed to members of the Breast Cancer Network Australia Survey and Review Group, the largest consumer advocacy group in Australia for people with breast cancer. RESULTS: There were a total of 309 responses. Three quarters had used CM in the past 12 months. One third had tried CM for weight loss. Yoga, meditation and pilates were perceived to be effective for weight loss. Perceived advantages of CMs for weight loss were the ability to improve general wellbeing, relaxation, and being non-pharmacological while disadvantages were financial cost, finding a reliable practitioner, and lack of research for effectiveness. Three quarters would be willing to try CM for weight loss if there was evidence for effectiveness, with the most popular CMs being acupuncture, relaxation, yoga, supplements, and meditation. CONCLUSIONS: The high use of CM in this group is consistent with previous research. Our research suggests that BC survivors would use acupuncture, meditation, supplements and yoga for weight loss if supported by scientifically-credible evidence. Research into the effectiveness of these treatments on weight loss after BC is warranted.

An exploration of healthcare providers' experiences and perspectives of Traditional and complementary medicine usage and disclosure by Indigenous cancer patients.

BACKGROUND: Traditional and complementary medicines (T&CM) are any form of medicine, practice, treatment, product, technology, knowledge system or ceremony outside of conventional medical practice that aims to prevent and/or treat illness and/or promote well-being. Alongside conventional cancer treatments, T&CM usage is increasing; with 19% of indigenous Australians with cancer reporting using T&CM. There is limited evidence surrounding T&CM use and disclosure by indigenous patients. Our aim was to explore healthcare providers' views about usage, disclosure/non-disclosure of T&CM by Indigenous cancer patients. METHODS: Semi-structured, in-depth interviews with 18 healthcare providers, including three indigenous providers, at a large urban hospital providing care to Indigenous cancer patients were conducted to explore providers' experiences and attitudes towards T&CM use by Indigenous cancer patients. An interpretive phenomenological approach was used to thematically analyse the data. RESULTS: Analysis revealed six themes: concern about risk; no 'real' benefits; perception of T&CM and conventional medicine as antithetical; barriers to disclosure; 'patients' choice' a double-edged sword; and providers' lack of knowledge about T&CM. Healthcare providers perceived discord between T&CM and conventional medicine. Most lacked knowledge of T&CM, and had concerns around negative-interactions with conventional treatments. They considered T&CM outside their role, citing this as reasoning for their lack of knowledge. Indigenous healthcare providers had greater understanding and openness towards T&CM. CONCLUSIONS: Given the potential usage of T&CM by Indigenous cancer patients, providers need a more comprehensive understanding of T&CM in order to inform discussion and facilitate effective disclosure on this topic. If indigenous Australians with cancer feel that cancer care providers are unreceptive to discussing T&CM, patient care risks being compromised; particularly given the potential for negative interactions between T&CM and conventional cancer treatments. Fostering health care interactions where indigenous patients feel comfortable to discuss T&CM usage should be a priority for all cancer care services.

Complementary and alternative therapy use in a regional radiation oncology treatment centre: Can staff knowledge, views, confidence and documentation be improved?

INTRODUCTION: Complementary and alternative therapies (CATs) are widely used by cancer patients but are infrequently disclosed and documented. This study aimed to improve radiation therapy staff knowledge, confidence, views and documentation of radiation oncology patients' use of CATs. METHOD: Participants completed a baseline questionnaire regarding their knowledge, confidence, views and documentation relating to patients' CAT use. An intervention was undertaken whereby participants attended an educational session and a CAT screening tool was implemented simultaneously. Participants immediately completed a post-intervention questionnaire and later a 6-month follow-up questionnaire. A patient record audit was conducted to measure the documentation of CAT use pre- and post-intervention. RESULTS: From baseline to post-intervention, there was a statistically significant shift in staff knowledge and confidence (P = 0.001-0.01). The observed shift was sustained over a 6-month period, (P = 0.453-1.00). Participants' perceived views of CATs did not change as a result of the intervention (P = 0.261-1.000). The post-intervention audit compared to the baseline audit yielded a statistically significant increase in documentation. There was an increase in CAT use mentioned in patient records from 14% (15/108) to 40% (35/88) (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The implementation of a screening tool and staff education increased radiation therapy staff knowledge of CATs and increased staff confidence when discussing CAT use with patients. Documentation of CATs in the patient record increased post-intervention. These changes positively affected radiation therapy staff understanding the use of CATs by cancer patients.