Role of complementary and alternative medicine in the care of patients with breast cancer: report of the European Society of Mastology (EUSOMA) Workshop, Florence, Italy, December 2004.
The aim of the European Society of Mastology (EUSOMA) Workshop, Florence, Italy, December 2004, was to produce guidelines on the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) for breast cancer. The widespread use of CAM has to be acknowledged and the reasons for this understood. Deficiencies in the practice of conventional medicine that lead to the adoption of CAM need to be addressed. At the same time, CAM use for breast cancer should be quality controlled, avoiding double standards in evaluation, whilst recognising the problems of CAM research. These guidelines, which appear in an accompanying paper, aim to help oncologists and cancer patients alike.
Baum
Michael
M
Department of Surgery, University College London, The Portland Hospital, Great Portland Street, London W1N 6AH, UK. michael@mbaum.freeserve.co.uk
Ernst
Edzard
E
Lejeune
Stéphane
S
Horneber
Markus
M
D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000379:methods*; D003226:Congresses as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D012196:Review Literature as Topic