Cancer Patients Turn To 'Complementary Methods'

Filed in archive Cancer , Cases , Studies , Treatment on August 5, 2008

Photo courtesy of iStockphoto, Robert Kohlhuber

The American Cancer Society's survey study of cancer patients have revealed that as many as 61 percent of cancer patients use complementary therapies such as prayer, relaxation, meditation and massage largely influenced by sex, race, age, education and type and stage of their cancer.

As reported by the U.S. News and World Report:

The use of some complementary methods by cancer survivors is very common, the study found. For example, 61.4 percent used prayer; 44.3 percent used relaxation techniques; 42.4 percent used faith/spiritual healing; 40.1 percent used nutritional supplements such as vitamins; 15 percent used meditation; 11.3 percent used religious counseling; 11.2 percent used massage; and 9.7 percent participated in support groups.

But other complementary methods aren't as common, the researchers found. Only 0.4 percent of survey participants used hypnosis; 1 percent used biofeedback therapy; and 1.2 percent used acupressure or acupuncture.

This study and their findings are published in the Sept. 1 issue of Cancer.