Summary
Alternative treatments are on the rise among cancer patients, a recent European poll discovered. Many patients have taken to dietary supplements, homeopathy, and even relaxation techniques to help with their traditional, doctor prescribed, programs. While most doctors say the alternative methods cannot hurt, they remain a little skeptical of their overall usefulness in fighting cancer, and they have begun calling for governments worldwide to regulate the alternative practitioners more closely.
Original source:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/4228903.stm
Details
- Herbs are used the most, followed by homeopathy and vitamin and mineral supplements, according to European Oncology Nursing Society members.
- Given their popularity, governments should rethink the way these treatments are regulated, they said.
- Therapists should also be checked more rigorously, the report in the Annals of Oncology journal suggested.
- Dr Alex Molassiotis, from the UK's Manchester University, along with European colleagues, surveyed nearly 1,000 cancer patients from 14 European countries.
- About 58 different complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) were mentioned in the survey.
- Usage rates varied from less than 15% of patients in Greece to nearly 75% in Italy, and averaged at about a third overall.
- Patients typically used more than one CAM therapy together, such as a herbal medicine plus homeopathy or relaxation techniques.
- Dr Molassiotis said considering the growing popularity of CAM, better regulation was needed.
- "Anybody can call himself or herself a therapist and practice.
- "There is not a body to assess the quality of therapists.
- The Prince of Wales Foundation for Integrated Health was given a government grant last year to look into the regulation of other CAM therapies, including homeopathy, aromatherapy and reflexology.
- Dr George Lewith, from the of the University of Southampton's Complementary Medicine Research Unit, cautioned that the study was too small to be able to make generalisations about rates of CAM use, but said there was no doubt that regulation was needed.
- Dr Bob Leckridge president of the Faculty of Homeopathy, said many therapists were doctors, which meant they were regulated as an individual.
- He thought all CAM practice should be subject to statutory regulation.
- He advised cancer patients to inform their doctors of all medications and therapies they were taking.
Related Articles
• Non-surgical treatment of fibromyalgia - article removed
• Unnecessary surgery exposed! Why 60% of all surgeries are medically unjustified and how surgeons exploit patients to generate profits
• Surgery can cause fibromyalgia; chiropractic care can effectively treat it, says Dr. Whitcomb
• Statin drugs expose patients to dangerous, debilitating side effects
• Fibromyalgia: science validates homeopathy (again)
• Doctors in training taught to physically violate unconscious patients (explicit)
 |
Popular Topics:
Patients, Cancer, Treatments, Diabetes, Breast cancer, Prostate cancer, Heart disease, Depression, High cholesterol, Osteoporosis, Vaccines, Autism, ADHD, Infertility, Weight loss, Cancer, Alzheimer's, Trans fats, Acrylamides, Fluoride, Mercury |
Take Action: Support NaturalNews.com
 Email this article to a friend
 Share this article on: NewsVine | digg | del.icio.us
Permalink to this article: http://www.naturalnews.com/004492_cancer_treatments_alternative_medicine.html
Reprinting this article: Non-commercial use OK, cite NaturalNews.com with clickable link.
|
 |
 |
Receive our Natural Health Newsletter for FREE
 Subscribe now (it's free!) to win. We randomly choose a subscriber each month to send $100 in eco-home products or a RealGoods.com gift certificate (our choice). Plus, you'll receive FREE news, articles and action alerts from NaturalNews.com editors and join over 800,000 monthly readers who report extraordinary health improvements after becoming a subscriber!
- Receive breaking news alerts on natural health solutions, renewable energy, the environment, global warming and more.
- Receive a free instant download of our $29 Secret Sources guide that reveals top sources for little-known health and diet solutions.
|
|
 |
 |
Recommended Special Report:
 Seven Words that can Change the World
by Joseph R. Simonetta
Read this special report now...
"Seven Words That Can Change the World reveals the astonishing, simple truths that have the power to forever transform our world for the better while freeing our minds from the enslavement of limiting beliefs. This is not a text for the simple-minded; it is a guiding philosophy for the mindful, intelligent few who are wise enough to seek out -- and recognize -- the higher simplicities of truly purposeful living." - Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, editor of NaturalNews.com
|
More on NaturalNews.com:
• Streaming Health Ranger Videos
• CounterThink Cartoons
• FREE Special Reports
• Podcasts
|
 |
|
 |
 |
NEW 6-CD audio set reveals amazing new protocol for reversing cancer, diabetes, obesity, heart disease and more. Click to learn more. |
 |
Own the first 8 Health Ranger Report audio programs on 6 CDs. Covers weight loss, ADHD, vaccinations, processed meats, bone health and more. Click to learn more. |
Featured Videos
Short clip on Aspartame
A short clip on aspartame from the documentary All Jacked Up.
Click here to view now...
Exclusive video on Aspartame
The dangers of aspartame! Exclusive interview footage from Cori Brackett of Sweet Remedy.
Click here to view now...
Exclusive Footage from All Jacked Up!
See interview footage featuring the Health Ranger in the upcoming junk food film, All Jacked Up.
Click here to view now...
Drug Ad Parody
See the Health Ranger's satire parody of Merck's cholesterol drug ad.
Click here to view now... |
Alien mind wipe failure
 Why you've never heard the truth about Vitamin D
 The truth about chemotherapy and the cancer industry
 |
|
Read recommendations on supplement companies, health food manufacturers and personal care product makers that you can trust. Our 100% independent review list tells you who to trust and who to avoid in the natural health industry. Click to read. |
|
Printable Version
