Association Between Cancer and Utilization of Traditional Chinese Medicine in U.S. Chinese Women: Findings From the PINE Study

Objective: To examine U.S. Chinese older women and the association between their cancer screening behaviors and self-reported cancers with Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) use across sociodemographic characteristics. Method: Through the Population Study of Chinese Elderly in Chicago (PINE), 1,830 Chinese older women self-reported history of cancer screening, presence of women’s cancers, and TCM use according to type. Analyses were performed using multivariate regression models. Results: Chinese older women who underwent breast cancer screening are more likely to use herbal TCM (rate ratio [RR] = 1.15, 95% confidence interval [CI] = [1.03, 1.29]), acupuncture (RR = 1.62, CI = [1.21, 2.15]), massage therapy (RR = 2.05, CI = [1.46, 2.88]), and tai chi (RR = 1.86, CI = [1.28, 2.69]). Those who had cervical cancer screening are more likely to use herbal TCM (RR = 1.32, CI = [1.17, 1.48]), acupuncture (RR = 1.66, CI = [1.27, 2.18]), massage therapy (RR = 1.61, CI = [1.17, 2.21]), tai chi (RR = 1.69, CI = [1.19, 2.40]), and other forms of TCM (RR = 1.36, CI = [1.04, 1.79]). Those with cervical cancer are less likely to use herbal TCM (RR = 0.42, CI = [0.19, 0.93]). Conclusion: Contrary to previous studies, our results suggest that U.S. Chinese older women who have engaged in cancer screening use TCM while those with self-reported cancer did not use TCM at a higher rate. This warrants further research on TCM utilization to identify reasons of use in this population and encourage patient-centered care.