The relationship between hopelessness level and complementary and alternative medicine use in patients with breast cancer.

INTRODUCTION: Following the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer, women may experience some emotions such as anxiety, uncertainty, andhopelessness, and these experiences may vary from person to person. Many patients, along with conventional treatments, can resort to traditional methods to support the treatment, prevent recurrence of cancer, cope with the side effects of the treatment, and strengthen physically and mentally. AIMS: The study was aimed at determining the relationship between hopelessness level and use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) methods in women with breast cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this descriptive and cross-sectional study, 336 women with breast cancer who presented to the mammography unit were contacted. Among the CAM methods used, herbal treatment methods rank first. Of the reasons, women prefer these methods; "CAM provides psychological comfort" takes the first place. RESULTS: The mean scores obtained from the Beck Hopelessness Scale by the women who used and who did not use CAM were 5.45 ± 5.18 and 4.44 ± 4.10, respectively. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, women with breast cancer may attempt to use CAM due to hopelessness. Therefore, in the course of medical treatment of patients, CAM practices should be questioned, they should be provided counseling and if necessary, referred for psychological support.

Efficacy of a training course given by midwives concerning cervical cancer risk factors and prevention.

BACKGROUND: Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer type seen among women in most countries and an important cause of mortality. Although it is a preventable disease, most women living in developing countries cannot reach effective screening programs. It is essential that appropriate education about cervical cancer is provided. OBJECTIVE: This experimental field study was performed with the aim of evaluating the efficacy of training given to women about cervical cancer risk factors and primary and secondary prevention precautions. METHODS: The research focused on women between 25 and 29 years of age, literate, married and having social security. The study was conducted in the district of Evka 4 Health Care Center between the dates of April to August 2005. The women were given survey forms and questionnaires in order to determine their socio-demographic features and knowledge level about cervical cancer in the course of home visits. They were trained and given a manual at the data collection stage. At a second visit, carried out three months later, the trained women were again evaluated for their knowledge level about cervical cancer, risk factors and whether they had undergone a Pap smear test. RESULTS: Together with the difference between pre-/post-training mean information scores related to women's cervical cancer risk factors, the difference between the women's having a Pap smear test in the pre-/post-training period was found statistically significant. Only 16.3% of the women stated that they had a Pap smear test in the post-training period. CONCLUSIONS: It was determined that the women were in need of knowledge about risk factors related to cervical cancer, prevention from and early diagnosis of cervical cancer, but there was no significant increase in the rate of having a Pap smear test despite the increase in the knowledge level with the training given.