Abstract
Various surveys show that interest in complementary and alternative medicine (<italic>cam</italic>) is high among cancer patients. Patients want to explore all options that may help their treatment. Many cam modalities offer patients an active role in their self-care, and the resulting sense of empowerment is very appealing. On the other hand, many unscrupulous marketeers promote alternative cancer “cures,” targeting cancer patients who are particularly vulnerable. Some alternative therapies can hurt patients by delaying effective treatment or by causing adverse effects or detrimental interactions with other medications. It is not in the best interest of cancer patients if they cannot get appropriate guidance on the use of cam from the health care professionals who are part of their cancer care team. The Integrative Medicine Service at Memorial Sloan–Kettering Cancer Center in New York was established in 1999 to address patient interest in cam, to incorporate helpful complementary therapies into each patient’s overall treatment management, to guide patients in avoiding harmful alternative therapies, and to develop prospective research to evaluate the efficacy of cam modalities.
Highlights
The program was found to present participants with a holistic approach to care and to provide tools to effectively manage the demands of living with cancer and its treatment
Findings highlighted two main strategies used by oncology health professionals to create a more integrative approach for cancer patients:
Conclusions: few clear standards of practice or guidance material were in place within their organizational settings, health professionals discussed some integrative roles that they had adopted, depending on interest, knowledge, and skills, in supporting patients with complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) decisions
Summary
We investigated• how an Iyengar yoga program affects the self-identified worst symptom in a group of participants.• whether quality of life, spiritual well-being, and mood disturbance change over the Iyengar yoga program and at 6 weeks after the program.• how, from a participant’s perspective, the Iyengar yoga program complements conventional cancer treatment.
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