Complementary and
alternative medicine (CAM) is now a significant practice issue for those delivering
cancer care with a range of CAM being utilized by a significant number of patients with
cancer. While various studies have explored the prevalence of CAM use among
cancer patients, little is currently known about
naturopathy/herbalism use by patients with
cancer in Australia. This paper reports the prevalence of naturopath/herbalist consultations among mid-aged Australian women with
cancer. The research was conducted as part of the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health, with the data for this analysis coming from the third survey of 11,202 women aged 50-55, conducted in 2001. For all
cancers combined, 15.7% of women with
cancer were found to consult a naturopath/herbalist. Mid-aged women with
cancer were found to be more likely to consult a naturopath/herbalist than mid-aged women without
cancer.
Naturopathy/herbalism consultations appear to be utilized by the women with
cancer alongside and as a supplement to conventional health services. Given the prevalence of consultations with herbal therapists/naturopaths among mid-aged women with
cancer in Australia, it is important that physicians and others involved in
cancer patient care and management are informed and educated about
naturopathy/herbalism and its use among their patients.