A Methodological Framework for Evaluating the Evidence for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) for Cancer

In spite of lacking evidence for effects on cancer progression itself, an increasing number of cancer patients use various types of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). There is disagreement between CAM practitioners, researchers and clinical oncologists, as to how evidence concerning effec...

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Main Authors: Helle Johannessen, Robert Zachariae
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2011-02-01
Series:Cancers
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.mdpi.com/2072-6694/3/1/773/
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author Helle Johannessen
Robert Zachariae
author_facet Helle Johannessen
Robert Zachariae
author_sort Helle Johannessen
collection DOAJ
description In spite of lacking evidence for effects on cancer progression itself, an increasing number of cancer patients use various types of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). There is disagreement between CAM practitioners, researchers and clinical oncologists, as to how evidence concerning effects of CAM can and should be produced, and how the existing evidence should be interpreted. This represents a considerable challenge for oncologists; both in terms of patient needs for an informed dialogue regarding CAM, and because some types of CAM may interact with standard treatments. There is a need for insight into which kinds of CAM may work, for whom they work, what the possible effects and side-effects are, and in what ways such effects may come about. The present article presents a framework for evaluating effects of CAM by suggesting a taxonomy of different levels of evidence related to different types of research questions and discussing the relevance of different research methodologies for different types of effects.
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spelling doaj.art-f64b3ef89c184c7b8cc3fe9a769d10c12023-08-02T06:22:13ZengMDPI AGCancers2072-66942011-02-013177378810.3390/cancers3010773A Methodological Framework for Evaluating the Evidence for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) for CancerHelle JohannessenRobert ZachariaeIn spite of lacking evidence for effects on cancer progression itself, an increasing number of cancer patients use various types of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). There is disagreement between CAM practitioners, researchers and clinical oncologists, as to how evidence concerning effects of CAM can and should be produced, and how the existing evidence should be interpreted. This represents a considerable challenge for oncologists; both in terms of patient needs for an informed dialogue regarding CAM, and because some types of CAM may interact with standard treatments. There is a need for insight into which kinds of CAM may work, for whom they work, what the possible effects and side-effects are, and in what ways such effects may come about. The present article presents a framework for evaluating effects of CAM by suggesting a taxonomy of different levels of evidence related to different types of research questions and discussing the relevance of different research methodologies for different types of effects.http://www.mdpi.com/2072-6694/3/1/773/complementary and alternative medicineevaluationeffectsresearch methodology
spellingShingle Helle Johannessen
Robert Zachariae
A Methodological Framework for Evaluating the Evidence for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) for Cancer
Cancers
complementary and alternative medicine
evaluation
effects
research methodology
title A Methodological Framework for Evaluating the Evidence for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) for Cancer
title_full A Methodological Framework for Evaluating the Evidence for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) for Cancer
title_fullStr A Methodological Framework for Evaluating the Evidence for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) for Cancer
title_full_unstemmed A Methodological Framework for Evaluating the Evidence for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) for Cancer
title_short A Methodological Framework for Evaluating the Evidence for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) for Cancer
title_sort methodological framework for evaluating the evidence for complementary and alternative medicine cam for cancer
topic complementary and alternative medicine
evaluation
effects
research methodology
url http://www.mdpi.com/2072-6694/3/1/773/
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