What complementary/integrative treatments are recommended for my cancer?

The Stiles Cancer Alternatives website was created to assist patients and health care professionals in deciding what types of complementary medicine might be integrated into a patient's conventional therapy.
Our intent is to find evidence-based complementary therapies that may be beneficial for some patients. We have reviewed research studies that have been published in the medical literature. Some, but not all, of these studies have had conclusive results. For this reason, these therapies are not recommended for use without consulting your physician.
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What treatments has the Stiles Cancer Alternatives website reviewed?
Those treatments reviewed by the Program are posted in the "Tips" section. Plan to return to the website for future updates. Other sources for information on alternative and complementary therapy include the following:

REFERENCE MATERIALS

1. Goldstein, MS (1999). ALTERNATIVE HEALTHCARE. Temple University Press, Philadelphia
   
2. Rotblatt, M and Ziment, I (2002). HERBAL MEDICINE. Hanley and Belfus, Philadelphia
   
3. American Cancer Society (2004). AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY'S GUIDE TO COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE CANCER METHODS. Printed in the United States.
   
4. PHYSICIAN'S DESK REFERENCE (PDR) FOR HERBAL MEDICINES (2000).
   ISBN 1-56363-361-2.

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Are there any cautions or warnings about alternative therapies?
Yes! Some complementary agents or therapies may be useful for cancer patients; however, some may be harmful in certain situations. JCCC cautions patients to consult with their oncologist before attempting to use agents or therapies referenced on these pages. Inclusion of an agent, therapy or resource on this website does not imply endorsement by JCCC.
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Can you refer me to a complementary/alternative medicine physician in my area?
See the "Professional Reference" section on this website or call for more information.
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Does JCCC have any programs in complementary medicine?
JCCC does have some programs involving complementary/integrative therapies. You may learn about these programs by looking under the Patient Care section of the JCCC website.
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Does JCCC have any information on clinical trials in complementary medicine?
All clinical trials at JCCC are posted on the Clinical Trials section of the JCCC website.
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What questions should I ask a complementary/alternative medicine practitioner?
For any treatment, we recommend that you ask the provider the following questions:

1. Can this treatment:
   

• support the immune or other systems of the patient?
• counteract the cancer?
• enable the conventional treatment to work better?
• relieve symptoms or side effects?

1. What are the training and credentials of the provider?
2. Does the provider believe in this treatment because he/she has seen benefits with similar patients?
   • If so, would it be possible to speak to some of these patients?
3. Have results of this treatment been published in any recognized medical journals?
4. Can the provider give you any references published by others?
5. What is the treatment?
6. How will you know that the therapy is or is not working?
7. Are there potential side effects?
8. Is the provider willing to communicate with the patient’s primary care physician?
   

*Adapted from recommended questions by the American Cancer Society and from the article, Recommendations to MDs on Counseling Patients’ Use of Alternative Medicine, by David Eisenberg. Annals of Internal Medicine, Vol. 127, No. 1, pp. 61-69.

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What should I do if an adverse event happens with herbal medicine?
Contact your physician first and/or the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Medwatch, medical products reporting program at 1-800-FDA-1088. If this is an emergency situation, dial 911 and/or consult with the Poison Control Center in your area; Los Angeles area is at1- 800-777-6476.

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Where can I find additional information not available on your website?
For a list of other websites, books, and contacts, click the "Valuable Links" button in the navigation on the left side of this website. This section includes, but is not limited to:

• Links to clinical trials currently approved by the National Cancer Institute
  (click on Cancer Information and Clinical Trials)
• The link for the American Cancer Society
• The link for the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine
  

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