Resource File

Unconventional Cancer Therapies

Andrew Gentile

The term unconventional therapy describes any therapeutic modality that is not currently used in mainstream Western medicine. Unconventional therapies encompass a wide array of therapies ranging from chiropractic work and nutritional therapy to visualization and spiritual healing.

According to a 1993 survey, approximately 37% of Canadian breast cancer survivors used at least one unconventional therapy in the treatment of their cancer (National Forum on Breast Cancer, unpublished observations, 1993). The most commonly used unconventional therapies were visualization and vitamin therapy, followed by dietary modification, meditation, faith religion and herbal medicines.

According to a 1995 survey, approximately 13% of Canadian prostate cancer patients use some unconventional therapy in the treatment of their cancer (Can J Urology, in press). The most commonly used of these therapies were herbal medicines and vitamin therapy, followed by dietary modification and visualization.

Statistics Canada's 1994 National Population Health Survey, a survey of almost 18,000 Canadians, asked respondents whether they had seen or talked to an alternative health care provider (such as an acupuncturist, homeopath or massage therapist) within the last 12 months about their physical, emotional or mental health. Of the sample population who had reported a diagnosis of cancer, 7.5% indicated having used the services of an alternative health care provider. This is compared to the 5% of the sample without a cancer diagnosis who reported using alternative health services.

In 1996, the Canadian Breast Cancer Research Initiative conducted an investigation into eight biological agents commonly used by Canadian women for the treatment of breast cancer. Also in 1996, the Tzu Chi Institute for Complementary and Alternative Medicine was founded in Vancouver and plans to conduct research into unconventional therapies, as well as to integrate such therapies into the conventional treatment regimens currently used at the Vancouver Hospital and Health Sciences Centre.

Related Publications

1. Aldridge D. Europe looks at complementary therapy. BMJ 1989;299:815-9.

2. American Cancer Society. Unproven methods of cancer management: anti-neoplastons. CA Cancer J Clin 1983;33:57-9.

3. American Cancer Society. Unproven methods of cancer management: Haritan Alivizatos, MD ("Greek Cancer Cure"). CA Cancer J Clin 1983;33:252-4.

4. American Cancer Society. Unproven methods of cancer management: immuno-augmentative therapy. CA Cancer J Clin 1984;34:232-7.

5. The American Society of Clinical Oncology. The physician and unorthodox cancer therapies. J Clin Oncol 1997;15(1):401-6.

6. Bowman BB, Kushner RF, Dawson SC, Levin B. Macrobiotic diets for cancer treatment and prevention. J Clin Oncol 1984;2:702-11.

7. Brigden ML. Unorthodox therapy and your cancer patient. Postgrad Medicine 1987;81:271-80.

8. Cassileth BR. Unorthodox cancer medicine. Cancer Invest 1986;4:591-8.

9. Cassileth BR. The social implications of questionable cancer therapies. Cancer 1989;63:1247-50.

10. Cassileth BR, Lusk EJ, Strause TD, Bodenheimer BJ. Contemporary unorthodox treatments in cancer medicine: a study of patients, treatments and practitioners. Ann Intern Med 1984;101:105-12.

11. Clinical Oncology Group. New Zealand cancer patients and alternative medicine. N Zealand J Med 1987;100:110-3.

12. Curt GA, Katterhagen G, Mahaney FX Jr. Immunoaugmentative therapy: a primer on the perils of unproved treatments. JAMA 1986;255:505-7.

13. Curt GA. Unsound methods of cancer treatment. Princip Pract Oncol 1990;4:1-10.

14. Downer SM, Cody MM, McCluskey P, et al. Pursuit and practice of complementary therapies by cancer patients receiving conventional treatments. BMJ 1994;309:86-9.

15. Eisenberg DM, Kessler C, Foster C, et al. Unconventional medicine in the United States. N Engl J Med 1993;328:246-52.

16. Fisher P, Ward A. Complementary medicine in Europe. BMJ 1994;309:107-10.

17. Gray RE, Klotz LH, Iscoe NA, et al. Results of a survey of Canadian men with prostate cancer. Can J Urol (in press).

18. Hess DJ. Technology and alternative cancer therapies: an analysis of heterodoxy and constructivism. Med Anthropol Q 1996;10(4):657-74.

19. King RS. Finding out about patients' alternative medicines. Am J Health Syst Pharm 1996;53(19):2270-1.

20. Lerner IJ, Kennedy BJ. The prevalence of questionable methods of cancer treatment in the United States. CA Cancer J Clin 1992;42:181-91.

21. Lerner M. Choices in healing. London: MIT Press, 1994.

22. Lynoe N. Ethical and professional aspects of the practice of alternative medicine. Scand J Soc Med 1992;20:217-25.

23. Lynoe N, Svensson T. Physicians and alternative medicine-an investigation of attitudes and practice. Scand J Soc Med 1992;20:55-63.

24. McGinnis LS. Alternative therapies, 1990. Cancer 1991;67:1788-92.

25. McGregor KJ, Peay ER. The choice of alternative therapy for health care: testing some propositions. Soc Sci Med 1996;43(9):1317-27.

26. Moertel CG, Fleming TR, Creagan ET, Rubin J, O'Connell MJ, Ames MM. High-dose vitamin C versus placebo in the treatment of patients with advanced cancer who have had no prior chemotherapy: a randomized double-blind comparison. N Engl J Med 1985;312:137-41.

27. Moertel CG, Fleming TR, Rubin J, et al. A clinical trial of amygdalin (Laetrile) in the treatment of human cancer. N Engl J Med 1982;306:201-6.

28. Montbriand MJ. Freedom of choice: an issue concerning alternate therapies by patients with cancer. Oncol Nurs Forum 1993;20:1195-201.

29. Moore NG. The Columbia-Presbyterian Complementary Care Center: comprehensive care of the mind, body and spirit. Altern Ther Health Med 1997;3(1):30-2.

30. Mottonen M, Uhari M. Use of micronutrients and alternative drugs by children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Med Pediatr Oncol 1997;28(3):205-8.

31. Ontario Breast Cancer Information Exchange Project. A guide to unconventional cancer therapies. Toronto, 1994.

32. Villaire M. Centers provide OAM with "deliverables". Altern Ther Health Med 1997;3(1):20-4.

33. Syrjala KL, Cummings C, Donaldson GW. Hypnosis or cognitive behavioral training for the reduction of pain and nausea during cancer treatment: a controlled clinical trial. Pain 1992;48:137-46.

34. US Congress, Office of Technology Assessment. Unconventional cancer treatments. Washington (DC): Government Printing Office, 1990 (OTA-H-405).  

Author Reference

Andrew Gentile, Early Detection and Treatment Division, Cancer Bureau, Laboratory Centre for Disease Control, Health Canada, Tunney's Pasture, Address Locator: 0601C1, Ottawa, Ontario  K1A 0L2

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