Navigating CAM: Motivations and Outcomes of Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use in Women with Breast Cancer

Omnia Ahmed Msbah Agha; Salwa Hazim Al Mukhtar

doi:10.31632/ijalsr.2025.v08i01.004

Omnia Ahmed Msbah Agha Department of Clinical Nursing Sciences, College of Nursing, University of Mosul, City of Mosul, Iraq https://orcid.org/0009-0006-9423-0203
Salwa Hazim Al Mukhtar Department of Clinical Nursing Sciences, College of Nursing, University of Mosul, 94PV+CFQ Mosul, City of Mosul, Iraq https://orcid.org/0009-0007-0223-4950

DOI https://doi.org/10.31632/ijalsr.2025.v08i01.004

Abstract

This cross-sectional study investigates the prevalence, motivations, and perceived outcomes of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use among women with breast cancer. A sample of 200 women diagnosed with breast cancer within the last five years completed a structured online survey reporting on CAM usage patterns, motivations, and outcomes. Findings reveal a high prevalence of CAM use, with 70% of participants incorporating therapies such as herbal supplements, mind-body practices, and dietary supplements into their care. The primary motivations for CAM use included symptom relief (65%), emotional support (50%), and improvement in quality of life (40%). Participants reported significant physical and emotional benefits, with 60% citing improvements in physical symptoms and 50% in emotional well-being. Additionally, 45% perceived an enhanced quality of life through CAM use. Socioeconomic factors, such as higher income and education levels, were significant predictors of CAM adoption, suggesting disparities in access. These findings underscore the role of CAM as a supportive care strategy for symptom management and emotional support, highlighting the need for healthcare providers to discuss CAM options with patients to facilitate safe and informed integration with conventional treatments. Limitations include the cross-sectional design and reliance on self-reported data, which may influence accuracy. Future longitudinal research could explore long-term impacts and address barriers to access for lower-income populations. This study contributes to understanding CAM's role in breast cancer care and underscores the importance of patient-centered approaches to integrative oncology. While the findings offer valuable insights for patient-centered care, limitations include the reliance on self-reported data, which may introduce recall bias, and a sample limited to specific cultural and regional contexts.

Keywords: Breast Cancer, Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM), Cross-sectional Study, Emotional Well-being, Holistic Health, Integrative Oncology, Patient-centered Care, Quality of Life, Symptom Relief, Socioeconomic Factors

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