Benefits of Homeopathic Complementary Treatment in Breast Cancer Patients: A Retrospective Cohort Study Based on the French Nationwide Health Care Database (SNDS)

Background: There is a growing use of complementary therapies in oncology and homeopathy features prominently. Their purpose is to help patients better cope with the illness and the side effects (SEs) of cancer treatments that particularly affect quality of life (QOL). However, there are few comparative studies. This study aimed to assess the benefits of homeopathy treatment on the QOL for patients with non-metastatic breast cancer (BC), prescribed in post-surgical complementary therapy, compared with treatment without homeopathy.

Methods: An extraction from the French nationwide health care database targeted all patients who underwent mastectomy for newly diagnosed BC during 2012–2013. QOL was assessed through proxies, primarily the use of medication palliating the SEs of cancer treatments. Exposure to homeopathy and use of SEs medication were measured by the number of dispensing. The association was assessed using a Random Effect Poisson Count Model, with adjustment for co-factors.

Results: 98,009 patients were included (mean age: 61 ± 13). Patients taking homeopathy appeared to have less cardiovascular and diabetes comorbidities. Homeopathy was used in 11%, 26%, and 22% of patients respectively during the 7 to 12 months before surgery, the 6 months before, and 6 months after, then stable at 15% for 4 years. During the six months after surgery, there was a significant overall decrease (RR = 0.88, CI₉₅ = 0.87–0.89) in the dispensing of SEs medication for patients with ≤3 homeopathy dispensing vs none. Decrease appeared to be greater for immunostimulants (RR = 0.79, CI₉₅ = 0.74–0.84), corticosteroids (RR = 0.82, CI₉₅ = 0.79–0.85), antidiarrheals (RR = 0.83, CI₉₅ = 0.77–0.88), systemic antifungals (RR = 0.86, CI₉₅ = 0.8–0.92), and antiemetics (RR = 0.9, CI₉₅ = 0.87–0.93).

Conclusion: The study showed an increasing use of homeopathy in patients with BC following diagnosis. This use was sustained after surgery and seemed to play an important role in helping to better tolerate SEs of cancer treatments.

Keywords: Homeopathy, breast cancer, complementary therapy, quality of life

Publication History

Article published online:
30 January 2024