Complementary and Alternative Medicine for Patients with Cancer

Complementary and Alternative Medicine for Patients with Cancer

Book. 2011 06

Authors: Jeppesen E, Juvet LK

Abstract
In Norway more than a third of all patients with cancer use some form of complementary or alternative therapy (CAM). In order to support The Norwegian Cancer Society's work with information in this field we have identified and summarized 39 systematic reviews on the efficacy and safety of some main complementary and alternative therapies for patients with cancer. The Norwegians law from 2003 gives the following definition of alternative treatment; Alternative treatment means health-related treatment as practiced outside the health service and are not performed by licensed health care professional. Treatment that is exercised in the health service or by an authorized health care providers, however, covered by the term alternative treatment when used methods which are mainly used outside the health service. When patients use alternative therapies in addition to the treatment they receive at the hospital, it is also called complementary or integrated treatment. We searched for systematic reviews documenting efficacy and safety of complementary and/or alternative therapy (CAM) used among patients with cancer. We included systematic reviews of the following methods or therapies: Vitamins and minerals, food supplements, different types of herbs (also pharmacologically produced), acupuncture, reflexology, massage, aromatherapy, hypnosis, homeopathy, traditional Chinese medicine, and various body and mind techniques. The evidence from these 39 systematic reviews, with a few exceptions, was generally of low quality, and most results are uncertain. There is a lack of evidence for the efficacy and safety for most types of alternative methods for treatment and symptom relief for patients with cancer. For some of the alternative treatment methods there is evidence of adverse events. Further research is required. When it comes to safety, it should be considered whether it is justifiable to carry out major new studies with measures that have shown serious side effects.

PMID: 29320042

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