Researchers at a hospital analyzed how patients with breast cancer chose treatments. They used the National Cancer Database and looked at more than two million patients.
Nearly all women had traditional treatments like surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation. Patients who used only alternative medicine were nearly four times more likely to die within five years. People who used both kinds of treatments also had higher risk.
The team found some patients skipped radiation and hormone treatment, and many did not tell their doctors. The researchers recommend talking about all treatment options.
Difficult words
- analyze — look at information to find meaninganalyzed
- treatment — medical care to help a sick persontreatments
- alternative medicine — health methods not from regular hospitals
- chemotherapy — treatment with strong drugs for cancer
- radiation — energy waves used to kill cancer cells
- risk — the chance that something bad happens
- recommend — say that someone should do something
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Why do the researchers recommend talking about all treatment options?
- If you were a patient, would you tell your doctor about alternative treatments? Why or why not?
- Have you ever talked with a doctor about different treatment choices? Describe briefly.
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