목 적: 한의사의 유방암 보완치료에 대한 실태를 조사하고 임상진료지침의 필 요성을 알아보고자 본 연구를 시행하였습니다. 방 법: 본 연구는 e mail 설문지를 사용하였으며 유방암 환자 치료 여부, 내원 환자들의 병기, 증상, 진단, 치료, 기타 의견 등을 설문하였습니다. 결 과: 322명이 응답하였으며 그 중 84명이 해당 기관에서 유방암 치료를 시행하고 있었습니다. 내원 환자들의 주된 호소는 피로 및 전신 소력감이었고 변증 및 맥진을 주된 진단법으로 한약 및 침뜸을 중심으로 치료하고 있다고 응답하였습니다. 유방암의 한의학적 보완치료로서 임상진료지침이 필요하다고 생각하며 개발된 다면 적극적으로 사용하겠다고 응답하였습니다. 결 론: 유방암 보완치료 실태조사를 통해 임상진료지침에 대한 필요성을 알 수 있었으며 추가적인 연구가 필요합니다.

Objectives: To determine the current status of the treatment of breast cancer patients by Korean Medicine doctors (KMDs) and to examine the need for clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) for the supportive care of these patients. Methods: This cross-sectional study used a self-administered questionnaire. Participants were asked about their experience in treating breast cancer patients; the number of breast cancer patients they currently treat; the main complaints expressed by, diagnoses of, and treatments used for such patients; and their opinions about Korean Medicine (KM) as the basis for providing supportive care for breast cancer. Results: The data for this study were collected from 322 respondents. 84 of whom reported having ever treated patients with breast cancer. Most breast cancer patients who visited the KM clinic were classified as stage I or Ⅱ, and their major complaints were fatigue, general weakness and musculoskeletal pain. The major diagnostic strategies were syndrome differentiation and pulse diagnosis. The major treatments administered were herbal medicine, acupuncture, and moxibustion. KMDs cited a need for medical information, such as CPGs, as their most important concern with regard to the treatment of breast cancer patients. Conclusions: This survey determined the prevalence of the use of KM for Korean breast cancer patients. Our results underscore the need for clinical practice guidelines for using of KM as the basis of supportive care for breast cancer and for informing clinicians and patients about this approach.