The use of complementary and alternative medicine among women with breast cancer in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to explore the frequency of use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies among women with breast cancer in Saudi Arabia. Design: A descriptive cross-sectional study design was used with face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire. Sample: A convenient sample of 85 Saudi women with breast cancer who were undergoing cancer treatment was recruited from the Oncology Department of King Faisal Hospital, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Methods: Using structured questionnaire “Use of Complementary Therapies Survey,” consisted of diet and nutritional supplements, stress-reducing therapies, and other traditional treatments. Result: Participants were predominantly married (76.5%), resided in an urban area (83.5%), unemployed (62%), and about half reported no income (49.4%). The mean age was 48 years. All participants reported using at least three or more CAM therapies (mean = 21.15, SD = 8.85) since their diagnosis. There were significant correlations between other CAM use and time since diagnosis (rs = −0.33, p