title: Seeking Mind, Body and Spirit Healing-Why Some Men with Prostate Cancer Choose CAM (Complementary and Alternative Medicine) over Conventional Cancer Treatments.
abstract: Little is known about men with prostate cancer who decline conventional treatment and use only complementary and alternative medicine (CAM).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To 1) explore why men decline conventional prostate cancer treatment and use CAM 2) understand the role of holistic healing in their care, and 3) document their recommendations for health care providers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Semi-structured interviews and follow-up focus groups.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-nine men diagnosed with prostate cancer who declined all recommended conventional treatments and used CAM.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Based on strong beliefs about healing, study participants took control by researching the risks of delaying or declining conventional treatment while using CAM as a first option. Most perceived conventional treatment to have a negative impact on quality of life. Participants sought healing in a broader mind, body, spirit context, developing individualized CAM approaches consistent with their beliefs about the causes of cancer. Most made significant lifestyle changes to improve their health. Spirituality was central to healing for one-third of the sample. Participants recommended a larger role for integrated cancer care.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Men who decline conventional prostate cancer treatment and use CAM only may benefit from a whole person approach to care where physicians support them to play an active role in healing while carefully monitoring their disease status.
authors: Research Associate, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
authors: Margaret A
authors: MA
authors: White
authors: Marja J
authors: MJ
authors: Verhoef
authors: B J
authors: BJ
authors: Davison
authors: Hal
authors: H
authors: Gunn
authors: Karen
authors: K
authors: Cooke
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