The effect of complementary and alternative medicine on the quality of life in breast cancer

Abstract

In Malta, the incidence of breast cancer has increased, however the survival rate of breast cancer patients improved (Malta Cancer Registry, 2008). After the initial shock of diagnosis, followed by the commencement of conventional therapies which often include surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, these patients, survivors or not, will expect to have the best available quality of life. Although some patients are satisfied with the conventional therapy and their quality of life, there are other patients who are not. These patients may want to add complementary and alternative medicine, (CAM) to enhance their quality of life and they come to the clinics with questions regarding this issue. The aim of this dissertation is to find out whether the addition of CAM to conventional therapies actually ameliorates the quality of life of breast cancer patients compared to patients who opt for conventional treatment only. The process of addressing this subject was done through an evidence based approach where a PICO question is designed so that an answer can be formulated to address the question. After a thorough search in the available literature, the relevant articles were identified, critically appraised according to appraisal criteria found in nursing research text books and compared. The results are compared in view of wider literature and their applicability within the local scene was discussed. The overall findings tend to show that when CAM is added to conventional treatments the quality of life of breast cancer patients improves and they cope better with the disease. However the addition of CAM has to be undertaken under the supervision of health care professionals, who sometimes lack the necessary knowledge or who may be sceptic regarding CAM and its relationship with quality of life. Based upon these findings it is recommended that local studies exploring the use of CAM by breast cancer patients and the knowledge of CAM among health care professionals should be undertaken. These are to be followed by providing further education with regards to CAM to health care professionals. That way, health care professionals will be watchful for patients who may present with a worse quality of life and turn to CAM and give them the necessary support.