Many
Cancer Patients Turn to Alternative Medicine
More
than 70 percent of adult cancer patients in western Washington use alternative
therapies, and almost all report improvements in well-being as a result,
a new study shows.
The
research, the first population-based study of its kind to look at predictors,
motivators, and costs of different types of alternative medicine use
in adults with cancer, was conducted by the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research
Center. The findings were published in a recent issue of the Journal
of Alternative and Complementary Medicine.
Researcher
Ruth E. Patterson and her colleagues at Fred Hutchinson's Public Health
Sciences Division led the study, which was supported by grants from
the National Cancer Institute and funds from Fred Hutchinson.
"This
is the first study to specifically inquire about patients' attitudes
regarding the effectiveness of alternative treatments," Patterson says.
Patients
were considered users of alternative medicine if they received care
from an alternative provider within the past year or had used at least
one alternative supplement or therapy.
Depending
on the type of therapy, 83 percent to 97 percent of patients surveyed
said they used alternative medicine for general health, and nearly all
reported that use of these therapies improved their well-being.
A smaller
number of those surveyed, between 8 percent and 56 percent, turned to
alternative interventions to actually treat their cancer.
The
most common form of alternative treatment was the use of dietary supplements,
which were taken by 65 percent of the patients, many of whom used several
such products simultaneously.
Cancer
type also appeared to influence alternative therapy use: for example,
those with breast cancer were significantly more likely to see alternative
providers or take dietary supplements than were colon cancer patients.
"Since
most therapies were used to enhance overall health and well-being, it
seems unlikely that patients would substitute these therapies for conventional
medicine," Patterson says.
But,
she adds, "doctors should be wary of discounting alternative medicine,
given that the majority of patients overwhelmingly feel it improves
their quality of life."
The
survey was based on telephone interviews with 356 adults who had been
diagnosed with breast, prostate, or colon cancer between February 1997
and December 1998. The group was divided equally among men and women,
with equal representation among the three types of cancer.
One
limitation to the study, Patterson notes, is that use of alternative
medicine could be high in western Washington for a variety of reasons.
First,
vitamin use is highest in the western United States compared to other
areas of the nation. Also, health insurers in Washington are required
by state law to provide coverage for licensed alternative providers.
"Regardless
of incidence of alternative medicine use in Washington, other studies
also indicate that alternative medicine use is common in patients with
cancer," Patterson adds.
Always
consult your physician for more information.
Before
considering complementary or alternative medicine:
Most
complementary and alternative medicine fields are not standardized or
controlled by any Western medical guidelines. Always consult your physician
before beginning any complementary or alternative medicine therapy,
as some therapies may interfere with standard cancer treatment.
Being
an informed healthcare consumer when considering complementary or alternative
medicine is important. Ways to gather information before starting any
therapy include:
-
consulting
your physician.
-
researching
on the Internet.
-
researching
in the library (books, articles, and scientific journals).
-
speaking
with others who have tried the therapy.
-
looking
for controlled, scientific studies about the therapy, whenever possible.
What
warning signs may indicate a fraudulent therapy?
According
to the American Cancer Society, if a treatment has
the following warning signs, it is better to avoid it:
-
treatment
based on unproven theories
-
treatment
that promises a cure
-
patient
is told not to use standard/conventional medicine
-
treatment
is a secret and can only be give by certain providers
-
treatment
requires travel to another country
-
treatment
providers discount standard/conventional medicine
Frequently
asked questions regarding complementary or alternative therapy for cancer
patients:
Is
hypnosis effective in cancer treatment?
Due
to a lack of evidence, scientists do not know if hypnosis affects cancer
cells or the immune system in any way. Hypnosis is not a medical
treatment for cancer, however, there may be an important role for
hypnosis in managing cancer. It is been effective in helping patients
with pain, stress, depression, fears, and anxiety. And there is some
evidence that hypnosis is effective in helping patients cope with many
difficult aspects of cancer treatment.
Are
dietary supplements safe for cancer patients?
Not
all medicines and dietary supplements you find on the shelves at the
stores are proven to be safe. The American Cancer Society
warns that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
does not require manufacturers of these products to print possible side
effects on their labels. And if they do get complaints, the FDA
cannot get a dietary supplement or herbal product off the market unless
scientists can prove that the product is unsafe.
Can
herbal supplements treat cancer?
The
practice of using herbal supplements dates back thousands of years. Today,
there is a resurgence in the use of herbal supplements among American
consumers. However, herbal supplements are not for everyone. In
fact, some herbal products can cause problems for people undergoing
cancer therapies such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Because
they are not subject to close scrutiny by the FDA or
other governing agencies, the use of herbal supplements is controversial.
Does
art therapy help people with cancer?
The
American Cancer Society states that art therapy has
not undergone rigorous scientific study to determine its therapeutic
value for people with cancer, but many clinicians have observed and
documented significant benefits among people who have participated in
art therapy.
Many
art therapists believe art therapy works partly because the creative
act can be healing. The act of creating art influences brain wave
patterns and the chemicals released by the brain. It helps people
express hidden emotions, reduces stress, fear, and anxiety, and provides
a sense of freedom. Art therapy may also be used to distract patients
from anxiety or pain associated with cancer diagnosis, treatment, or
recovery.
Online
Resources
American
Cancer Society
Journal
of Alternative and Complementary Medicine
National
Cancer Society
National
Center for Complementary & Alternative Medicine, part of the National
Institutes of Health (NIH)
The
National Council Against Health Fraud, Inc.
US
Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
|
October
2002
Before
Considering Complementary or Alternative Medicine
What
Warning Signs May Indicate a Fraudulent Therapy?
Frequently
Asked Questions Regarding Complementary or Alternative Therapy
for Cancer Patients (Part 1)
Frequently
Asked Questions Regarding Complementary or Alternative Therapy
for Cancer Patients (Part 2)
Online
Resources
Find
a St. John's Mercy Physician
Frequently
asked questions regarding complementary or alternative therapy
for cancer patients (continued):
Does
dance therapy help cancer patients?
Dance
therapy has not been studied enough to know if there are any unique
health benefits to cancer patients. There is some evidence
that it is effective in improving self-esteem and reducing stress,
which is important to cancer patients as they move through the
diagnosis, treatment, and recovery. It is also an effective
form of exercise for some cancer patients.
The
American Cancer Society reports that physical
activity is known to increase special neurotransmitter substances
in the brain (endorphins), which create a state of well-being.
And total body movement such as dance enhances the functions of
other body systems, such as circulatory, respiratory, skeletal,
and muscular systems. Dance therapy can help people stay physically
fit and enjoy the pleasure of creating rhythmic motions with their
bodies.
How
does music therapy help people with cancer?
Music
therapy is helpful when it is used along with conventional cancer
treatment. It has been shown to have a positive effect on
the autonomic nervous system that controls heart rate, breathing,
and other functions in the body.
The
American Cancer Society's Guide to Complementary and Alternative
Methods states that scientific studies have shown the
positive value of music therapy on the body, mind, and spirit
of children and adults. Researchers have found that music therapy
used along with anti-emetic drugs (drugs that relieve nausea and
vomiting) for patients receiving high-dose chemotherapy can be
effective in easing the physical symptoms of nausea and vomiting.
Also, when used in combination with pain-relieving drugs,
music has been found to decrease the overall intensity of the
patient's experience of pain.
Does imagery
help a person with cancer?
Imagery
is said to be a relaxation technique, similar to meditation, that
has physical and psychological effects. Promoters claim it
can relax the mind and body by decreasing heart rate, lowering
blood pressure, and altering brain waves. Some proponents also
claim imagery can relieve physical pain and emotional anxiety,
improve the effectiveness of drug therapies, and provide emotional
insights. Practitioners use imagery to treat people with phobias
and depression, reduce stress, increase motivation, promote relaxation,
increase control over one's life, improve communication, and even
to stop smoking. Imagery is also used in biofeedback, hypnosis,
and neuro-linguistic programming. For people with cancer, some
supporters of imagery have found the techniques can alleviate
nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy, relieve stress
associated with having cancer, enhance the immune system, facilitate
weight gain, combat depression, and reduce pain.
Does
distraction help in cancer treatment?
It
does not cure cancer to take your attention off of it, but studies
show that distracting your mind from unpleasant thoughts, pain,
or unpleasant procedures does make patients feel better and more
comfortable.
Distraction
has been tested on patients while they were having potentially
uncomfortable clinical procedures such as chemotherapy. It
has produced positive results in both children and adults. In
one interesting study children aged 8 to 18 who were receiving
chemotherapy were distracted by playing a computer game or participating
in a virtual reality experience. The children who were distracted
had significantly lower pulse rates and complained less of pain.
In contrast, some of the children who did not have the distraction
during the procedure “yelled out” and expressed discomfort. In
another study with adults, they reported less discomfort during
the procedure and had lower levels of nausea and other side effects
several days afterward.
How
is yoga used in cancer treatment?
Yoga
is a good way to relax and lower stress and anxiety. The
American Cancer Society says that as a complementary
therapy, yoga can create a sense of well-being and may improve
the quality of life for some patients with cancer. It has
been shown to relieve some symptoms associated with cancer such
as stress, pain, headaches, and insomnia. However, it will
not slow the growth or spread of a cancer.
Always
consult your physician for more information on complementary or
alternative medicine.
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