Perspectives of cancer survivors interested in unconventional therapies

Author(s): Greenberg, M., Fitch, M., Parry, N., Douglas, M. S., Labrecque, M.

Journal/Book: J Psychosoc Oncol. 1997; 15: 10 Alice St, Binghamton, NY 13904-1580. Haworth Press Inc. 149-171.

Abstract: Thirty-two survivors of cancer who demonstrated an interest in unconventional therapies were interviewed. The results showed that they had a variety of motivations for their interest. They consistently portrayed the mainstream cancer care system as tolerating the use of unconventional approaches while essentially remaining disengaged from the subject. Many of the survivors argued that health care professionals should be more interested in, more informed about, and more willing to discuss unconventional therapies. They also believed that personal experience was an important source of evidence for considering treatment options and that health care professionals often ignored this evidence, paying attention only to randomized clinical trials. In general, the survivors made a case for a better response from the health care system regarding consumers' needs concerning unconventional treatment options. Whether and how these needs are addressed represents a major and important challenge for the mainstream cancer care system.

Note: Article Gray RE, Univ Toronto, Toronto Sunnybrook Hlth Sci Ctr, 2075 Bayview Ave, N York, ON M4N 3M5, CANADA

Keyword(s): UNITED-STATES; MEDICINE; PREVALENCE

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