title: Complementary cancer treatments: hope or hazard?
abstract: Complementary therapies are frequently used by cancer patients, yet the area is a minefield of hazards and hopes. A distinction between cure and care seems helpful. There are no effective complementary cures and most options that are promoted carry a distinct and, in certain cases, fatal risk. Complementary cancer care is more acceptable and there are options that can be shown to ease suffering. Vis a vis the popularity of complementary cancer treatments, the lack of scientific evidence for most therapies seems unacceptable. The call for more rigorous research is loud and clear.
authors.affiliation: University of Exeter, UK.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ernst
mesh_terms: D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000145:classification / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D010166:Palliative Care; D010686:Philosophy, Medical; D012106:Research; D012307:Risk Factors; D012586:Science