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Research on complementary and alternative therapies for cancer: issues and methodological considerations
J S Jacobson1, S B Workman, F Kronenberg
1Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University, USA.
Journal of the American Medical Women'S Association (1972)
|October 26, 1999
Summary
Many cancer patients use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). Current research on CAM efficacy for breast cancer is limited, with few definitive conclusions due to trial limitations, necessitating further investigation.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Integrative Medicine
Background:
- Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) is utilized by at least one in three cancer patients.
- There is a growing institutional focus on improving CAM research for cancer treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review existing research on the efficacy of CAM for breast cancer.
- To identify limitations in current CAM research and propose guidelines for future studies.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive review of published research on CAM treatments for breast cancer.
- Analysis of study designs, trial phases, and reported outcomes.
Main Results:
- Many studies reported encouraging preliminary results for CAM efficacy.
- The majority of studies were Phase I/II trials, limiting definitive conclusions on efficacy.
- Significant gaps exist, including a lack of survival endpoint data for widely used CAM agents.
Conclusions:
- While CAM treatments show biological activity and are widely used, robust clinical evidence for efficacy in breast cancer is currently lacking.
- Future research requires innovative designs and collaboration to address complex CAM treatments.
- Improved CAM research has the potential to impact cancer patient outcomes.