Abstract
Alternative and complementary methods (CAM) are a frequent and important issue in daily oncological practice. Inspite of their heterogenity discussions about CAM are often characterized by quite stereotypical polemics and polarization. These black and white discussions evidently mirror oncology's immanent focus on distinct border lines between „benign“ and „malignant“. Independently of an antitumor activity CAM as a form of active coping may give patients a sense of control and may thus reduce at least temporarily anxieties and the feelings of helplessness and distress associated with their disease and oncological treatment. For care givers as well CAM may reduce feelings of therapeutical impotence. Cancer patients' search for and use of CAM represent a part of their individual coping efforts. Focusing on and appreciating and structuring these efforts is more important in psychooncological support of cancer patients than factual discussions about CAM and conventional oncology
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