Learning Objective #1: To understand the prevalence and modalities of CAM use by Taiwanese women with breast or gynaecologic cancers.

Learning Objective #2: To know the level of satisfactions and perceived benefits of CAM use in Taiwanese women with cancer.

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The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) among oncology population is increasing worldwide, especially in Asian countries, such as Taiwan. However, there is little data to indicate which CAMs are in use among Taiwanese women with breast or gynaecologic cancers. Differences between Western and Chinese cancer patients regarding to CAM use are partially attributable to a different cultural perspective and health care system, such as Traditional Chinese Medicine. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and modalities of CAM use by Taiwanese women with breast or gynaecologic cancers. Additional objective of this current study were to measure the level of satisfactions and perceived benefits of CAM use. A descriptive cross-sectional survey conducted at an outpatient oncology clinic attached in a teaching hospital of eastern Taiwan. A total of 250 women participated in this study, which consisted of 196 women with breast cancer and 54 women with gynaecologic cancers. Approximately 67.6 % of patients reported that they had used some form of CAM since being diagnosed with cancer. The most common CAM therapies used included Chinese medicine (45.6%), herbal remedies (18.9%), and vitamins (17.8%). The mean scores of satisfaction and perceived effectiveness were 5.52 (SD = 1.01) and 5.44 (SD = 1.0), respectively, with the range of 0-7. Characteristics significant differences (p < 0.05) were found between CAM users and non-users. The findings of this study indicate that patients sought CAM as complementary treatments rather than alternative methods. Therefore, it is important that health professionals should initiate communication regarding CAM with patients and lead patients in using CAM appropriately and safely. Moreover, there is a need to fill the gap and create partnerships between western conventional medicine and CAM. Accordingly, the integrative health care will support cancer patients approaching their therapeutic goal.