Cancer patients are using complementary methods like prayer and massage to supplement traditional treatments, say researchers from the American Cancer Society.

Which methods are they using?

Among the methods used most often, the following spiritual methods were reported:

• Prayer/spiritual practice (61.4%)
• Relaxation (44.3%)
• Faith/spiritual healing (42.4%)
• Meditation (15%)
• Religious counseling (11.3%)

Apparently, nearly half of cancer survivors are using several complementary methods.

Who are these survivors?

Results confirmed that methods are most often used by women, whites, young survivors, those with higher income and more education, and breast and ovarian cancer survivors. The complementary methods are also used more often when cancer is advanced or has spread.

How did they get these results?

Researchers used data from 4,000 participants in the American Cancer Society’s Study of Cancer Survivors-I.  Participants were surveyed 10-24 months after they were diagnosed with cancer. Results of the study will be published in CANCER, a peer-reviewed journal from the American Cancer Society.

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