Positive Health Online

Abstract

DIGIANNI and co-authors, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 44 Binney Street, SM228, Boston, MA 02115, USA, lisa_digianni@dfci.harvard.edu, have analyzed the use of CAM by women who have been diagnosed as high risk for breast cancer.

Background

The aim of this study was to explore changes in CAM use by unaffected women and cancer survivors from enrolment into a randomized BRCA1/2 testing program to CAM use 1 year following results disclosure.

Methodology

A cohort of 243 high-risk women completed questionnaires at enrolment into a BRCA1/2 randomized trial and 1 year post results disclosure. Uses of several CAM therapies for cancer prevention were explored, including dietary, behavioural, and physical modalities. Assessment of the change in CAM use from baseline to 1 year follow-up was conducted using a repeated self-administered questionnaire. Correlates of the number of CAM therapies used at 1 year were explored using multivariable linear regression models.

Results

Among the subset of women who changed their CAM behaviour from enrolment to 1 year following BRCA1/2 results disclosure, there was a significantly higher proportion who changed from no CAM use to CAM use among the overall cohort (p=0.01), among women without cancer at enrolment (p=0.003), among women found to be BRCA1/2 carriers (p=0.03), and among women randomized to the genetic counselling intervention arm of the study (p=0.009). Number of CAM modalities used at 1 year was positively associated with number of CAM modalities used at baseline, sunscreen use, and BRCA1/2 mutation status.

Conclusion

High-risk women who have received BRCA1/2 counselling and testing frequently adopt new CAM use in the first year after learning their genetic status. Mutation carriers frequently initiate CAM use after learning their genetic status as part of their cancer preventive regimen. Further studies are warranted to determine the efficacy of CAM-related strategies for cancer prevention.

References

Digianni LM, Rue M, Emmons K, Garber JE. Complementary medicine use before and 1 year following genetic testing for BRCA1/2 mutations. Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention 15 (1): 70-75, Jan 2006.   

Comment

Yes, we do need research determining the benefits of Complementary and Alternative cancer prevention strategies, which presumably would include Healthier Diet, Nutritional and Herbal Medicine and Exercise, as well as Behaviour and Lifestyle modification (no smoking, less alcohol, etc.), not only from individuals diagnosed as high risk for breast cancer, but from all people.