Use of Alternative Medicine Is Delaying Health-Seeking Behavior by Bangladeshi Breast Cancer Patients

Abstract

Objective: Various treatment options including alternative medicine is available in underdeveloped countries which attracts easily the communitywith low profile. This study aimed to find perception of the use and mode use of alternative medicine (AM) by Bangladeshi Breast cancer patientswhich may influence timely treatment seeking.Materials and Methods: A cross sectional study was performed to determine the spectrum in use of alternative medicine and compare the useof alternative medicine with their delay in presentation. Patients were selected randomly from July 2015-June 2016 in a specialized public cancerhospital of Dhaka city. Face to face interview was taken from diagnosed breast cancer patients, collected in pre-structured data sheet, SPSS was usedfor statical tests.Results: Out of 200 respondents, about half of the respondents 46.5% (93) first sought help to alternative medicine. Most of them 86.02 %( 80)preferred to use homeopathy. The mean duration of use alternative medicine was 2.9±4.7 months, mean patient delay was 4 months. Use of alternative medicine was found significantly (p