Positive Health Online

Abstract

STANDISH and co-workers, University Research Institute, Kenmore, Washington, USA, describe naturopathic treatment for breast cancer in North America.

Background

The use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM ) is rising in the US, especially for breast cancer patients . Typically it is delivered by licensed naturopathic physicians using individualized treatment plans .

Methodology

A cross-sectional survey in two parts was mailed out to all licensed naturopathic physicians in the USA and Canada (1,356 practitioners). 642 completed the screening form (part 1 of the survey). Of these, 333 were eligible for part 2, a 13-page survey. Of these, 161 (48%) completed the survey. The main outcome measures were demographics of the participating naturopaths, development of treatment plans, CAM therapies used, and the perceived efficacy of treatment interventions .

Results

Of the survey respondents, 104 practised in the USA and 57 in Canada. 107 were women and 54 were men. In the development of naturopathic treatment plans, naturopaths most often considered the stage of cancer, the patient's emotional constitution, and the conventional therapies used. To monitor patients, 64% of respondents used diagnostic imaging, 57% considered the patient's quality of life, and 51% used physical examination . The most common CAM therapies used were dietary counselling (94%), herbal medicines (88%), antioxidants (84%), and nutritional supplements (84%). The most common specific agents prescribed were vitamin C (39%), coenzyme Q-10 (34%) and Hoxsey formula (29%).

Conclusion

References

Standish LJ, Greene K, Greenlee H, Kim JG, Grosshans C. Complementary and alternative medical treatment of breast cancer: a survey of licensed North American naturopathic physicians. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine 8 (5): 68-70, Sep-Oct 2002.

Comment

The above survey points out the stark difference between cancer treatment regimes carried out by naturopathic as compared with allopathic physicians. A most vital piece of research that to my knowledge has been lacking for many decades is the comparison of outcomes of cancer patients using natural, non-cytotoxic treatments with those of patients subjected to the usual chemotherapy and radiotherapy cancer treatments. This type of research is almost impossible to conduct since it is illegal for cancer to be treated (by physicians) with any other treatments other than surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy or experimental drugs treatments. Many splendid and brilliant physicians who have pioneered alternative approaches have been subjected over the past century to the most brutal sanctions, including imprisonment, being struck off the medical register and exile.