The use of unconventional therapies among cancer patients: implications for nursing practice

This essay received an honourable mention in the 2001 Canadian Cancer Society's essay contest for oncology or cancer control (nursing program). The complexity of human experience in relation to illness requires that nurses and physicians be knowledgeable of available treatment modalities. Historically, the health care system has been based on the medical model (Burk, 1998). However, cancer patients are using complementary and alternative therapies at increasing rates nowadays. Given that there has been an increase in the use of unconventional therapies internationally, it is apparent that this is of great significance for the practice of nursing, and demands adequate consideration by nurses throughout the world. The purpose of this paper is to outline and discuss the views and arguments pertaining to whether or not cancer patients should be informed about alternative and complementary therapies by nurses, and to explore what can be done to influence resolution of this debate. The format of this paper is as follows: first, a brief description of alternative and complementary therapies and my position on this issue; second, a description of the contexts shaping this issue; third, a description of the stakeholders in this issue; fourth, an identification of assumptions and beliefs shaping this issue; and fifth, the position that nursing groups have taken on this issue.