Int J Gynecol Cancer. 2002 Mar-Apr; 12(2): 214-7.

Use of herbs in women diagnosed with ovarian cancer.

Powell CB, Dibble SL, Dall'Era JE, Cohen I.

Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Services, Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California-San Francisco, Box 1702, San Francisco, CA 94143-1702, USA. Bethan.Powell@ucsfmedctr.org

Of 113 consecutive ovarian cancer patients identified in a gynecologic clinic in a major academic medical center in San Francisco, 41 patients were successfully contacted, were eligible, and participated in a telephone survey. We contacted women identified consecutively in the clinic database as having ovarian cancer and sent a letter introducing our research team and asking for help. Members of the research team then contacted the women to conduct the telephone interviews. Fifty-one percent (95% CI 35-67) of the women had taken herbs sometime since they were diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Most herb uses occurred concurrently with chemotherapy. Only 12% (95% CI 4-26) used an herbalist or other health practitioner for guidance in herb use. Only one woman took herbs instead of chemotherapy. A large number of women attending our practice in the San Francisco Bay area use herbs as complementary medicine during their cancer treatment.