Semin Oncol Nurs. 2000 May; 16(2): 163-9.

Nutrition as a component of alternative therapy.

Cunningham RS, Herbert V.

University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Philadelphia, USA.

OBJECTIVES: To discuss common "alternative" nutritional strategies that may be used by patients as a primary or adjunctive means of cancer treatment. DATA SOURCES: Government reports, textbook chapters, published articles, and research reports. CONCLUSIONS: The use of diet and nutrition to prevent and treat disease is one of six fields of alternative medicine. A number of dietary regimens have been purported to be effective in the treatment of cancer. Most have been inadequately tested with regard to safety and efficacy. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: Oncology nurses need to be knowledgeable of the use of alternative methods so that they may provide accurate information to patients considering these approaches.