The C.A.M. Report
Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Fair, Balanced, and to the Point
  • About this web log

    This blog ran from 2006 to 2016 and was intended as an objective and dispassionate source of information on the latest CAM research. Since my background is in pharmacy and allopathic medicine, I view all CAM as advancing through the development pipeline to eventually become integrated into mainstream medical practice. Some will succeed while others fail. But all are treated fairly here.

  • About the author

    John Russo, Jr., PharmD, is president of The MedCom Resource, Inc. Previously, he was senior vice president of medical communications at www.Vicus.com, a complementary and alternative medicine website.

  • Common sense considerations

    The material on this weblog is for informational purposes. It is not medical advice or counsel. Be smart, consult your health professional before using CAM.

  • Recent Posts

  • Recent Comments

    Predictors of yoga use among patients with breast cancer

    Research suggests that yoga may reduce symptoms and improve quality of life among breast cancer patients.

    Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania Health System, in Philadelphia, identified their characteristics.

    First, the details.

    • 300 postmenopausal breast cancer patients currently receiving aromatase inhibitors (drugs that stop estrogen production in post-menopausal women) were studied.
    • The women recorded their use of yoga following the cancer diagnosis along with social, demographic, and clinical data.

    And, the results.

    • 18% of the patients reported using yoga following their cancer diagnosis.
    • White patients were significantly more likely to use yoga than nonwhite patients.
    • Higher education level, lower BMI (body mass index), part-time employment status, previous chemotherapy, and radiation therapy were all associated with greater yoga use.
    • After controlling for potentially confounding factors, greater yoga use was independently associated with higher education level and lower BMI.

    The bottom line?

    The authors concluded, “Yoga use following breast cancer diagnosis was substantially higher for white patients and those with lower BMI and higher education levels.”

    These demographics are similar to those listed in a national survey of yoga users.

    • Caucasian: 85%
    • Female: 76%
    • Average age: 40 years
    • More likely college educated

    11/12/10 19:49 JR

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