Positive Health Online

Abstract

LAFFERTY and colleagues, Department of Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA, billlaf@u.washington.edu, have surveyed the use of complementary and alternative medicine by cancer patients who have health insurance in Washington State.

Background

The aim of the study was to evaluate the use of complementary and alternative medicine by cancer patients in a state that requires the inclusion of alternative practitioners in private health insurance.

Methodology

2000 claims from two large insurance companies were analyzed.

Results

Among cancer patients, 7.1% had a claim for naturopathy, acupuncture, or massage; and 11.6% had a claim for chiropractic during the one year study period. The use of naturopathy and acupuncture was more common amongst patients with cancer than amongst other patients, and the use of chiropractic was less common. Musculoskeletal pain was the most common reason for visits to complementary and alternative practitioners. Billed amounts for alternative practitioners were less than 2% of all billed amounts of cancer patients.

Conclusion

A substantial number of insured cancer patients use alternative practitioners if they are given the choice. The cost of this treatment is modest compared with that of conventional care. For people with cancer, complementary therapists do not appear to be replacing conventional medicine but are integrated into overall care.

References

Lafferty WE, Bellas A, Corage Boden A, Tyree PT, Standish LJ, Patterson R. The use of complementary and alternative medical providers by insured cancer patients in Washington State. Cancer 100 (7): 1522-1530, Apr 1, 2004.