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Complementary cancer treatments: hope or hazard?
1University of Exeter, UK.
Clinical Oncology (Royal College of Radiologists (Great Britain))
|January 1, 1995
Summary
Most complementary cancer therapies lack scientific evidence and pose significant risks. While some complementary care options can ease suffering, rigorous research is urgently needed to distinguish between ineffective cures and beneficial supportive treatments.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Integrative Medicine
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Complementary therapies are widely used by cancer patients.
- The field presents both potential benefits and significant risks.
- A clear distinction between cancer cures and supportive care is necessary.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and safety of complementary therapies in oncology.
- To address the disparity between the popularity of complementary cancer treatments and the lack of scientific evidence.
- To highlight the need for rigorous research in this domain.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of existing literature on complementary cancer therapies.
- Analysis of reported outcomes, including efficacy, safety, and patient-reported symptom relief.
- Assessment of the quality of scientific evidence supporting various complementary modalities.
Main Results:
- No complementary therapies have demonstrated effectiveness as cancer cures.
- Many promoted complementary options carry substantial, sometimes fatal, risks.
- Certain complementary care strategies can effectively alleviate cancer-related suffering.
Conclusions:
- Complementary cancer cures are not scientifically supported and may be dangerous.
- Complementary care approaches focused on symptom management are more viable.
- There is a critical and urgent need for high-quality scientific research to guide the use of complementary therapies in cancer care.