Complementary medicine use by Australian women with gynaecological cancer

Abstract

Aims and objectives: Social and cultural factors are identified that impact on complementary therapy use among Australia-born and immigrant women diagnosed with gynaecological cancer.

Methods: A qualitative study design including in-depth interviews with women diagnosed with gynaecological cancer (N = 53) and participant observation was conducted.

Results: Approximately one-third of women utilized complementary and alternative medicine, with this being determined by current health concerns and health beliefs related to the efficacy of different modalities. Four types of complementary therapy users emerged: consequential, therapeutic, informed and exploratory.

Conclusion: There was a relatively low uptake of complementary treatments. Choice was influenced by women’s socio-demographic background, clinical and personal history, lack of personal experiences of gynaecological cancer among study participants’ kin and friends, and lack of popular alternative literature on such cancer.