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Attitudes, perceptions and practices of oncologists and naturopathic physicians regarding the role of diet in breast cancer prevention and treatment Novak, Kerri L.
Abstract
Increasing consumer demands for holistic health care and dietary advice parallel conflicting and incomplete messages in the scientific and lay literature regarding the role of nutrition in breast cancer. Oncologists and naturopaths are important sources of advice to help women sort out such conflicting information. In this qualitative study, 10 oncologists and 11 naturopaths were interviewed to explore their beliefs and counseling practices regarding the relationship between diet and breast cancer. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed using qualitative methods. The oncologists believed age, genetics and reproductive factors are important risk factors, and while dietary factors such as fat and alcohol consumption may play a role, such relationships have not been proven scientifically. The oncologists suggested increasing fruit, vegetable and fibre intakes could improve overall health; however because available research evidence does not meet the criteria of evidence-based medicine, they did not make specific dietary recommendations for breast cancer prevention or treatment. Alternatively, the naturopaths implicated exogenous hormones, environmental pollutants and lifestyle factors like diet and stress as important contributors to breast cancer etiology. They recommended that patients increase consumption of organic whole foods, antioxidant supplements, fruits and vegetables, and avoid processed or refined foods, animal fats, dairy products and sugar to decrease breast cancer risk. These recommendations were based on a combination of published scientific evidence, clinical experience and single case studies. The naturopaths' lack of exclusive reliance on science to justify clinical recommendations was described by oncologists as their primary reason for not working directly with naturopaths. Alternatively, the naturopaths believed they were excluded from conventional breast cancer care for political reasons. Differences in practitioners' beliefs and perceptions of each others' profession reflect variations in their training in the scientific method and their educational and professional socialization. The variation in these health professionals' beliefs, use of evidence, and resulting clinical practices and misperceptions of each other fuel mutual misunderstanding. An open and respectful dialogue between oncologists and naturopaths is important to bridge gaps between these professionals, and to facilitate patients' ability to make informed choices about their health care and dietary practices.
Item Metadata
Title |
Attitudes, perceptions and practices of oncologists and naturopathic physicians regarding the role of diet in breast cancer prevention and treatment
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Creator | |
Publisher |
University of British Columbia
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Date Issued |
1999
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Description |
Increasing consumer demands for holistic health care and dietary advice
parallel conflicting and incomplete messages in the scientific and lay literature regarding
the role of nutrition in breast cancer. Oncologists and naturopaths are important sources
of advice to help women sort out such conflicting information. In this qualitative study,
10 oncologists and 11 naturopaths were interviewed to explore their beliefs and
counseling practices regarding the relationship between diet and breast cancer. Interviews
were transcribed verbatim and analysed using qualitative methods. The oncologists
believed age, genetics and reproductive factors are important risk factors, and while
dietary factors such as fat and alcohol consumption may play a role, such relationships
have not been proven scientifically. The oncologists suggested increasing fruit, vegetable
and fibre intakes could improve overall health; however because available research
evidence does not meet the criteria of evidence-based medicine, they did not make
specific dietary recommendations for breast cancer prevention or treatment.
Alternatively, the naturopaths implicated exogenous hormones, environmental pollutants
and lifestyle factors like diet and stress as important contributors to breast cancer
etiology. They recommended that patients increase consumption of organic whole foods,
antioxidant supplements, fruits and vegetables, and avoid processed or refined foods,
animal fats, dairy products and sugar to decrease breast cancer risk. These
recommendations were based on a combination of published scientific evidence, clinical
experience and single case studies. The naturopaths' lack of exclusive reliance on science
to justify clinical recommendations was described by oncologists as their primary reason for not working directly with naturopaths. Alternatively, the naturopaths believed they
were excluded from conventional breast cancer care for political reasons. Differences in
practitioners' beliefs and perceptions of each others' profession reflect variations in their
training in the scientific method and their educational and professional socialization. The
variation in these health professionals' beliefs, use of evidence, and resulting clinical
practices and misperceptions of each other fuel mutual misunderstanding. An open and
respectful dialogue between oncologists and naturopaths is important to bridge gaps
between these professionals, and to facilitate patients' ability to make informed choices
about their health care and dietary practices.
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Extent |
10800295 bytes
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Genre | |
Type | |
File Format |
application/pdf
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Language |
eng
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Date Available |
2009-06-12
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Provider |
Vancouver : University of British Columbia Library
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Rights |
For non-commercial purposes only, such as research, private study and education. Additional conditions apply, see Terms of Use https://open.library.ubc.ca/terms_of_use.
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DOI |
10.14288/1.0099314
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URI | |
Degree | |
Program | |
Affiliation | |
Degree Grantor |
University of British Columbia
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Graduation Date |
1999-05
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Campus | |
Scholarly Level |
Graduate
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Aggregated Source Repository |
DSpace
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Item Media
Item Citations and Data
Rights
For non-commercial purposes only, such as research, private study and education. Additional conditions apply, see Terms of Use https://open.library.ubc.ca/terms_of_use.