유방암 환자의 보완대체요법 이용실태

The Actual Condition of Using Complementary and Alternative Therapies in Breast Cancer Patients

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify actual condition of complementary and alternative therapies(CAT) use among the breast cancer patients. Method: The subjects were 195 in women with breast cancer inpatient and outpatient settings at 5 hospitals located in B city from 13th August to 17th November 2007. Data collection was conducted by using Kim Soon Hee(2003) s questionnaire. The collected data were analyzed using frequency, percentage,  2-test by SPSS 12.0 program. Results: Most of the subjects turned out to use CAT by 74.9% adopting the option. ‘immune system enhancement’ was mostly selected by 56.2% in reasons for use and ‘comfortable by 52.1% in postscript of its use. Dietetic and Nutritional therapy was most preferred by 42.5% of the surveyed, There were significant differences in using possibility of CAT according to monthly income levels( 2=10.272, p=0.016). duration for diagnosis ( 2=7.224, p=0.027), treatment method( 2=15.736, p=0.003), and pain ( 2=5.62,p=0.018). Conclusions: The breast cancer patients were highly utilizing in CAT. The efficient CAT application and education which is based on the actual condition of CAT that clarified above are needed.