[Risks of alternative cancer treatment]

Alternative methods of cancer treatment, which are by definition unproven methods, are not generally harmless, atoxic. Severe direct side-effects are rare, but the risk of 'indirect side effects' detrimental for the patient is quite high. Examples are: lack of a potentially successful, curative treatment, provocation of guilt, anxiety, aggression. Alternative methods have to be tested according to the same principles as scientific methods with proven efficacy.