I am jingling and jangling with charms around my wrist once again. Ever since I was diagnosed with breast cancer, my friend Nicole has sent me a Brighton breast cancer bracelet. My very first bracelet arrived in 2004, and I wore it proudly. My second bracelet arrived in 2005 and took the place of the first. And now, as I enter my third year of survival, my 2006 Power of Pink bracelet dangles from my arm.

This year's bracelet features a heart-shaped locket. Other charms -- designed to represent stepping stones to recovery -- feature key survival terms. Brighton tells it like this -- "When we accept, we open the door to trust and find love that will heal. Along the way, we learn to be the inspiration." And there are still more charms -- a breast cancer awareness ribbon signifying a fight for the cure, a four leaf clover to assure luck is on our side, silver beads for richness, clear crystals for truth and purity. And still, there are more.

Brighton recommends we all make a difference in the breast cancer crusade. Some may choose to chip in by contributing financially. Some may volunteer. Some may lend a sympathetic ear to others in need. Some may purchase and wear the 2006 Power of Pink bracelet -- proceeds benefit breast cancer research -- and this one simple act will send an empowering message to women everywhere.

The recent results of a study of cancer patients who use alternative therapies as part of their treatment for cancer found that women with breast cancer were five times more likely to seek out the services of an alternative health-care provider and twice as likely to take dietary supplements. More than 70 percent of adult cancer patients who use alternative therapies indicated a greater sense of well-being as a result of using alternative medicine.

Cancer patients in the survey who used alternative therapy were most likely to use vitamins, minerals, herbals and botanicals. In addition, they used the services of naturopathic doctors, spiritual advisors or massage therapists, and some form of mental or energy-based therapy such as biofeedback, hypnotism, guided imagery, crystals, chelation therapy or magnets.

The study findings suggest several key messages for health-care practitioners. "First, since most therapies were used to enhance overall health and well-being, it seems unlikely that patients would substitute these therapies for conventional medicine," Patterson said. "Second, doctors should be wary of discounting alternative medicine, given that the majority of patients overwhelmingly feel it improves their quality of life. It is important for clinicians to show an open attitude toward alternative medicine if they want patients to engage in frank and honest discussion of these choices," states Dr. Ruth E. Patterson of Fred Hutchinson's Public Health Sciences Division.