title: Integrative physicians and an herbal cancer "cure".
abstract: Oncologists are frequently asked about herbal remedies claiming to "cure" cancer, or at least delay its progression. While complementary and integrative medicine (CIM) should be aimed primarily at improving quality-of-life (QOL) related concerns, "wonder cures" are part of an alternative health belief model providing hope for a "miracle" where conventional treatment has failed. We describe a physician with extensive small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) undergoing chemotherapy, with significant toxicities and impaired daily function. He had come for an integrative physician (IP) consultation, provided by a medical doctor dually trained in CIM and supportive cancer care, taking place in a conventional supportive cancer care service. We describe the IP consultation in general and regarding an herbal remedy which was being promoted as a "cure" for cancer. The subsequent patient-tailored CIM treatment process, in which patients receive evidence-based guidance on treatments which address QOL-related concerns, are presented.
authors.affiliation: Integrative Oncology Program, Haifa and Western Galilee Oncology Service, Clalit Health Services, Haifa, Israel;; Lin Medical Center, Department of Family Medicine, Affiliated with the Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel;; Complementary and Traditional Medicine Unit, Department of Family Medicine, Affiliated with the Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel;
authors.forename: Eran
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ben-Arye
authors.affiliation: Integrative Oncology Program, Haifa and Western Galilee Oncology Service, Clalit Health Services, Haifa, Israel;; Lin Medical Center, Department of Family Medicine, Affiliated with the Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel;
authors.forename: Shoshana Keren
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Rosenberg
authors.affiliation: Integrative Oncology Program, Haifa and Western Galilee Oncology Service, Clalit Health Services, Haifa, Israel;; Lin Medical Center, Department of Family Medicine, Affiliated with the Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel;; Tal Center for Integrative Medicine, Institute of Oncology, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel.
authors.forename: Noah
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Samuels
keywords: Small-cell lung cancer (SCLC); complementary medicine; herbal medicine; integrative medicine; quality-of-life (QOL)