| Abstract
| - BACKGROUND: Interest in alternative therapies is growing rapidly in the United States. Westudied the types and prevalence of conventional and alternative therapies used by women in fourethnic groups (Latino, white, black, and Chinese) diagnosed with breast cancer from 1990through 1992 in San Francisco, CA, and explored factors influencing the choices of theirtherapies. METHODS: Subjects (n = 379) completed a 30-minute telephone interview intheir preferred language. Logistic regression models assessed factors associated with the use ofalternative therapies after a diagnosis of breast cancer. RESULTS: About one half of the womenused at least one type of alternative therapy, and about one third used two types; most therapieswere used for a duration of less than 6 months. Both the alternative therapies used and factorsinfluencing the choice of therapy varied by ethnicity. Blacks most often used spiritual healing(36%), Chinese most often used herbal remedies (22%), and Latino women mostoften used dietary therapies (30%) and spiritual healing (26%). Among whites,35% used dietary methods and 21% used physical methods, such as massage andacupuncture. In general, women who had a higher educational level or income, were of youngerage, had private insurance, and exercised or attended support groups were more likely to usealternative therapies. About half of the women using alternative therapies reported discussing thisuse with their physicians. More than 90% of the subjects found the therapies helpful andwould recommend them to their friends. CONCLUSIONS: Given the high prevalence ofalternative therapies used in San Francisco by the four ethnic groups and the relatively poorcommunication between patients and doctors, physicians who treat patients with breast cancershould initiate dialogues on this topic to better understand patients' choices with regard totreatment options.
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