1. Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Patients With Breast Cancer: Exploratory Study of Social Network Forum Data
- Author
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Pierre Senesse, François Carbonnel, Isabelle Boulze Launay, Caroline Mollevi, Sandra Bringay, Grégory Ninot, Estelle Guerdoux-Ninot, Béatrice Lognos, Université de Montpellier (UM), Centre d’Evaluation des programmes de Prévention Sante [Montpellier] (Plateforme CEPS), Centre Hospitalier Régional Universitaire [Montpellier] (CHRU Montpellier), Université Paul-Valéry - Montpellier 3 (UPVM), Dynamique des capacités humaines et des conduites de santé (EPSYLON), Université de Montpellier (UM)-Université Paul-Valéry - Montpellier 3 (UPVM)-Université Montpellier 1 (UM1), ADVanced Analytics for data SciencE (ADVANSE), Laboratoire d'Informatique de Robotique et de Microélectronique de Montpellier (LIRMM), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Université de Montpellier (UM)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Université de Montpellier (UM), Institut de Recherche en Cancérologie de Montpellier (IRCM - U1194 Inserm - UM), CRLCC Val d'Aurelle - Paul Lamarque-Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM)-Université de Montpellier (UM), Institut du Cancer de Montpellier (ICM), lognos, béatrice, Université Montpellier 1 (UM1)-Université Paul-Valéry - Montpellier 3 (UPVM)-Université de Montpellier (UM), and Université de Montpellier (UM)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Université de Montpellier (UM)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)
- Subjects
Cancer Research ,medicine.medical_specialty ,forum ,Psychological intervention ,Alternative medicine ,Exploratory research ,[SDV.CAN]Life Sciences [q-bio]/Cancer ,complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) ,[SHS]Humanities and Social Sciences ,03 medical and health sciences ,0302 clinical medicine ,Breast cancer ,[SDV.CAN] Life Sciences [q-bio]/Cancer ,nonpharmacological interventions ,Health care ,medicine ,cancer ,Social media ,030212 general & internal medicine ,Medical prescription ,Original Paper ,[SDV.MHEP] Life Sciences [q-bio]/Human health and pathology ,Social network ,business.industry ,medicine.disease ,3. Good health ,Oncology ,030220 oncology & carcinogenesis ,Family medicine ,social network ,[SHS] Humanities and Social Sciences ,patient ,business ,[SDV.MHEP]Life Sciences [q-bio]/Human health and pathology - Abstract
Background Patients and health care professionals are becoming increasingly preoccupied in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) that can also be called nonpharmacological interventions (NPIs). In just a few years, this supportive care has gone from solutions aimed at improving the quality of life to solutions intended to reduce symptoms, supplement oncological treatments, and prevent recurrences. Digital social networks are a major vector for disseminating these practices that are not always disclosed to doctors by patients. An exploration of the content of exchanges on social networks by patients suffering from breast cancer can help to better identify the extent and diversity of these practices. Objective This study aimed to explore the interest of patients with breast cancer in CAM from posts published in health forums and French-language social media groups. Methods The retrospective study was based on a French database of 2 forums and 4 Facebook groups between June 3, 2006, and November 17, 2015. The extracted, anonymized, and compiled data (264,249 posts) were analyzed according to the occurrences associated with the NPI categories and NPI subcategories, their synonyms, and their related terms. Results The results showed that patients with breast cancer use mainly physical (37.6%) and nutritional (31.3%) interventions. Herbal medicine is a subcategory that was cited frequently. However, the patients did not mention digital interventions. Conclusions This exploratory study of the main French forums and discussion groups indicates a significant interest in CAM during and after treatments for breast cancer, with primarily physical and nutritional interventions complementing approved treatments. This study highlights the importance of accurate information (vs fake medicine), prescription and monitoring of these interventions, and the mediating role that health professionals must play in this regard.
- Published
- 2019
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