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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Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2011-02-01
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Series: | Cancers |
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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. |
first_indexed | 2024-03-12T19:04:47Z |
format | Article |
id | doaj.art-f64b3ef89c184c7b8cc3fe9a769d10c1 |
institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
issn | 2072-6694 |
language | English |
last_indexed | 2024-03-12T19:04:47Z |
publishDate | 2011-02-01 |
publisher | MDPI AG |
record_format | Article |
series | Cancers |
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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