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Research: RISBERG and colleagues, I
Listed in Issue 32
Abstract
RISBERG and colleagues, Institute of Community Medicine, University Hospital of Tromso, Norway studied patients attitudes to and use of nonproven therapies (NPTs) in relation to their opinions regarding the causes of cancer.
Background
Methodology
A questionnaire was distributed to 305 non-cancer patients in general practice and 252 cancer patients at Department of Oncology, University Hospital of Tromso.
Results
In non-cancer patients, significantly more NPT-positive compared to NPT-negative patients considered the environment to be an important cause of cancer (74% versus 52%), or that food and drink could be carcinogenic (57% versus 40%). In cancer patients, there was no such difference. 60% of non-cancer patients and 35% of cancer patients believed that life style changes could alter the natural course of cancer. For both groups of patients, those who were NPT-positive believed to a higher degree than those who were NPT-negative, that cancer outcome could be improved by a change in life style (69% and 48% versus 53% and 29%).
Conclusion
Patients positive toward NPTs have stronger beliefs regarding the importance of environmental factors than do non-believers and non-users of NPTs. Moreover, NPT-positive patients believed more strongly then NPT-negative patients that changes in lifestyle could favourably influence cancer outcome.
References
Risberg T et al. Patients opinion and use of non-proven therapies related to their view on cancer aetiology. Anticancer Res 18(1B): 499-505. Jan-Feb 1998.
