The effect of CAM comprehensive nursing interventions on the improvement of quality of life to patients with breast cancer and gynaecological tumours

Abstract

Background: Breast cancer in females, which is considered the most dreadful disease in India and the world as compared to other gynaecological cancers, demands extensive care and proper medication in order to control its progressive growth. In addition to the conventional care of the patients, Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) is administered in a controlled way through proper guidance and counselling in order to attain improved physical and mental health for the patients.
Objective: The aim of the study was to assess the effectiveness of CAM comprehensive nursing interventions and their benefit for patients who have breast cancer and gynaecological tumours.
Methods: Statistical data was used to map the adult women diagnosed with breast and gynaecological cancer and who were set to start new chemotherapy treatments. A total of 450 patients from different states of East India were enrolled in the study over a period of four years. The patients were selected based on their preference for undergoing CAM. The research was conducted using a cross-sectional anonymous self-administered questionnaire to examine women's perspectives towards the use of CAM and its effect on their mental and physical health.
Results: 42% of the women preferred the use of CAM as their alternative treatment. Breast cancer patients disclosed that 48.1% of them had used CAM and 39% of women with gynaecological cancers stated that they had used CAM. The results further indicated a less frequent deterioration in the health of CAM users (38.4%) than to non-users (55%). In terms of those who utilized vitamins and nutritional diets, 60% of the participants reported using a proper diet, including antioxidants, minerals, vitamins and herbs etc. 37% opted for spiritual healing through yoga, 26% utilized energy healing, 42.4% utilized acupuncture, 72% preferred massages and 23% of patients utilized chiropractic methods. The use of CAM was found mainly in the patients with proper education and awareness and those with a family history of cancer who were not receiving the necessary care from their previous primary physician.
Conclusion: CAM still requires extensive research in terms of its applications in dealing with patients and in order to successfully launch programmes aimed at promoting its use worldwide and to eradicate all the other false notions about it.