[Physician and patient between science and natural treatment--from the oncologist's viewpoint]

This contribution is a plea for an understanding between scientific oncology and one promoting healing by natural methods. The center of this dispute is not the therapist using natural medicine nor his doing but the needs of the cancer patient for which scientific medicine does not provide. An analysis of weak points in clinical oncology based on the multifarious critique of its academic achievements has not been attempted yet in a systematic fashion. Such a self critique is needed however for all the trusting people and for proper credibility. Such an empirical and even incomplete approach to this discussion demonstrates that our proper deficits as well as the expectations of a cancer patient can be defined. They rest mainly in the area of emotional non rational behaviour. Modern psycho-oncology should permit to modify the traditional limits of science-based actions in oncology such that more patients feel sheltered in a scientific therapy program. It is improbable for natural methods to fade away, and probably this might not be desirable since they are traditionally instrumental for a critical scientific dialogue.