Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of the study was to explore and describe the experience of pursuing complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in breast cancer patients.
Methods
Ten women with breast cancer participated in the study. Data were collected through individual in-depth unstructured and individualized interviews with each participant from February to July, 2015. Theoretical sampling was used upto the point of theoretical saturation. Data were analyzed using Corbin & Strauss's grounded theory methodology.
Results
Through open coding, 22 sub-categories, and 13 categories were identified. Analysis revealed that the core category was ‘endless management of mind and body for healing’, which consisted of four phases; exploring, applying, grasping, and integrating. Through this process, the participants utilized various action/interactional strategies such as ‘dealing with information’, ‘trying out blindly’, ‘enduring volitionally’, ‘experiencing effects on mind and body,’ and ‘grasping one's own way.’ The consequences of these strategies were integrating the habit of health remedy into one's life, becoming a main agent for change, and tolerating one's weak body.
Figures and Tables
References
1. National Cancer Center. Cancer facts and figures 2015 in the Republic of Korea. Seoul: National Cancer Center;2015.
2. Kim YS, Tae YS. The influencing factors on quality of life among breast cancer survivors. Asian Oncology Nursing. 2011; 11(3):221–228. DOI: 10.5388/jkon.2011.11.3.221.
![crossref](/image/icon/bnr_ref_cross.gif)
![crossref](/image/icon/bnr_ref_cross.gif)
3. Mayer DK, Terrin NC, Menon U, Kreps GL, McCance K, Parsons SK, et al. Health behaviors in cancer survivors. Oncology Nursing Forum. 2007; 34:643–651.
![crossref](/image/icon/bnr_ref_cross.gif)
![crossref](/image/icon/bnr_ref_cross.gif)
4. Knobf MT. Psychosocial responses in breast cancer survivors. Seminars in Oncology Nursing. 2007; 23:71–83. DOI: 10.1016/j.soncn.2006.11.009.
![crossref](/image/icon/bnr_ref_cross.gif)
![crossref](/image/icon/bnr_ref_cross.gif)
5. Park JM, Chung BY. Folk remedies used by patients with breast cancer. Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing. 1995; 25(3):419–430.
![crossref](/image/icon/bnr_ref_cross.gif)
![crossref](/image/icon/bnr_ref_cross.gif)
6. Lucy KH, Stephen C, Betty KC, Barbara F, Sunil V, Eileen R, et al. The use of complementary and alternative medicines among patients with locally advanced breast cancer-a descriptive study. BMC cancer. 2006; 6:39. DOI: 10.1186/1471-2407-6-39.
![crossref](/image/icon/bnr_ref_cross.gif)
![crossref](/image/icon/bnr_ref_cross.gif)
7. Wanchai A, Armer JM, Stewart BR. Performance care practices in complementary and alternative medicine by Thai breast cancer survivors: an ethnonursing study. Nursing and Health Sciences. 2012; 14:339–344.
![crossref](/image/icon/bnr_ref_cross.gif)
![crossref](/image/icon/bnr_ref_cross.gif)
8. Piamjariyakul U, Williams PD, Prapakorn S, Kim M, Park L, Rojjanasrirat W, et al. Cancer therapy related symptoms and selfcare in Thailand. European Journal of Oncology Nursing. 2010; 14:387–394.
9. Yim NY, Song KA, Hong YA, Kim JY, Kim KH, Cho NO, et al. Complementary alternative therapies and nursing. Seoul: Soomoonsa;2001.
10. Astin JA, Reilly C, Perkins C, Child WL. Breast cancer patients' perspectives on and use of complementary and alternative medicine: a study by the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Journal of the Society for Integrative Oncology. 2006; 4:157–169.
![crossref](/image/icon/bnr_ref_cross.gif)
![crossref](/image/icon/bnr_ref_cross.gif)
11. Yim SE, Tae YS. The actual condition of using complementary and alternative therapies in breast cancer patients. Journal of Wholistic Nursing Science. 2013; 6:1–14.
12. Jacobson JS, Workman SB, Kronenberg F. Research on complementary alternative medicine for patients with breast cancer: a review of the biomedical literature. Journal of Clinical Oncology. 2000; 18:668–683.
13. Kim CB. Understanding cancers patients who seek complementary and alternative therapies and searching developments of its management in South Korea. Seoul: Industrial-Academic Cooperation Group of Yonsei University;2008.
14. Lee EI, Shin YC, Lee JH, Kim SD, Kim HJ, Jo MS. Use of complementary and alternative medicine in cancer patients at 7 general hospitals in Seoul. Journal Korean Public Health Association. 2002; 28(3):225–238.
15. Taka A, Kwadwo B, Patricia O, Lee N. Use of complementary and alternative medicine by breast cancer patients: prevalence, patterns and communication with physicians. Supportive Care in Cancer. 2002; 10:542–548.
16. Ro SO. Healing experience of liver cancer patients by complementary and alternative diet therapy. Korean Journal Adult Nursing. 2003; 15(1):116–125.
17. Moon HW. A study on the use of the complementary and alternative therapy in female cancer patients. Korean Academic Society of Womens Health. 2004; 5(2):19–44.
18. Jung GS. Experience and attitudes of lung cancer patients receiving complementary alternative therapytherapy. [mater thesis]. Busan: Kosin University;2006.
19. Wanchai A, Armer JM, Stewart BR. Complementary and alternative medicine use among women with breast cancer: a systematic review. Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing. 2010; 14(4):45–55. DOI: 10.1188/10.CJON.E45-E55.
![crossref](/image/icon/bnr_ref_cross.gif)
![crossref](/image/icon/bnr_ref_cross.gif)
20. Tasaki K, Maskarinec G, Shumay DM, Tatsummura Y, Kakai H. Communication between physicians and cancer patients about complementary and alternative medicine: exploring patients's perspectives. Psychooncology. 2002; 11(3):212–220.
21. Corbin J, Strauss A. Basics of Qualitative research: techniques and procedures for developing grounded theory. LA, CA: Sage;2015.
22. Lincoln YS, Guba EG. Naturalistic Inquiry. Newbury Park. CA: Sage Pub;1985.
23. Son HM, Suh MJ. The experiences of patients seeking alternative therapies for chronic liver disease: The process of jagi momdasrim. Korean Journal of Adult Nursing. 2000; 12(1):104–114.
24. Yang JH. A study on the yangsaeng experience through dietary practice among Korean women. [dissertation]. Seoul: Ewha Womans University;2000.
25. Lim EJ, Jung SY, Choi MS, Jo SH, Hur J. Approach of grounded theory on regimen experience process through diet among elderly women. Qualitative Research. 2009; 10(2):117–129.
26. Jeong KS, Heo JE, Tae YS. Relationships among distreaa, family support, and health promotion behavior in breast cancer survivors. Asian Oncology Nursing. 2014; 14(3):146–154. DOI: 10.5388/aon.2014.14.3.146.
27. Tae YS. Hope of Korean cancer patient. [disseration]. Seoul: Ewha Womans University;1994.
28. Salamonsen A. Doctor-patient communication and cancer patients' choice of alternative therapies as supplement or alternative to conventional care Scandinavian. Journal of Caring Sciences. 2013; 27:70–76. DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-6712.2012.01002.x.