The usage and attitudes towards complementary and alternative therapies among breast cancer patients receiving treatment in the radiation oncology unit

Breast cancer is one of the most frequently encountered types of cancer in women. After lung cancer, the most common cause of death in women is associated with breast cancer, ranking second. The prevalence of breast cancer, low survival rates, the side effects brought by medical treatments, and women's intenseinterest in health-related research have increased attention toward complementary andalternative therapies. This study was conducted to determine the frequency of complementary and alternative therapy (CAT) use among patients undergoing breast cancer treatment and toexamine their practices regarding CAT. The population of this descriptive study consisted of 113 breast cancer patients who applied tothe Radiation Oncology department of Mersin University Oncology Hospital between March 2023 and March 2024. The sample of the study consisted of 70 patients who voluntarily agreed to fill out the informed consent form. The data were collected face-to-face through apersonal information form developed by the researcher, consisting of 3 sections and 25 questions, and using the 11-question Holistic Complementary and Alternative Therapy Attitude Scale (HCATAS). In data analysis, mean, standard deviation, minimum and maximum values, frequency and percentage, Student's t-test, One-Way ANOVA, Pearson correlation, and Chi-squared tests were used. In conclusion, it was found that the majority of the patients did not use CAT methods, and approximately half expressed a desire to receive counseling from healthcare professionals about CAT methods. It is necessary for healthcare professionals to inquire about patients' CAT usage, provide adequate counseling, and possess the necessary knowledge to guide patients accordingly.