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Integrative Therapies for Cancer

The terms complementary and alternative are often used interchangeably. However, alternative approaches are not the same as complementary ones. Complementary approaches are those used alongside and in conjunction with your prescribed cancer treatments, while alternative treatments are used in place of traditional or conventional treatments. Integrative therapies are complementary or alternative approaches that are now accepted as standard care.

Questions about Herbals or Supplements

Call Northwestern Memorial Hospital’s Drug Information Center at 312-926-7573.

Internet Resources

MedlinePlus: Cancer Alternative Therapy
(http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/canceralternativetherapies.html)
Developed by the National Library of Medicine specifically for consumers, this site is a portal for both government-sponsored and privately developed health information targeting the lay public. MedlinePlus information is authoritative and current.

Complementary/Integrative Medicine Education Resources for Cancer
(http://www.mdanderson.org/departments/cimer)
M.D. Anderson Cancer Center first developed this database as part of a grant from the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. It continues to expand and encompass a greater variety of therapies apart from herbals, which was the original focus.

Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center’s Information Resource: About Herbs, Botanicals and Other Products
(http://www.mskcc.org/mskcc/html/11570.cfm)
Searchable by browsing or by keyword, this site offers a very clear, helpful interface for consumers.

Office of Cancer Complementary and Alternative Medicine
(http://www3.cancer.gov/occam)
Contains information about clinical trials proposed or being conducted into the use of complementary therapies for the treatment of some types of cancer.

The Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University at Northwestern Memorial Hospital
(http://www.cancer.northwestern.edu/home/index.cfm)
Contains information about the many services offered by the Lurie Cancer Center, one of thirteen founding members of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN).

Books

• American Cancer Society’s Complementary and Alternative Cancer Methods Handbook. American Cancer Society. 2002.
• Anticancer: A New Way of Life. Servan-Schreiber D. 2008.
• Complementary and Alternative Cancer Methods Handbook. American Cancer Society. 2002.
• Complementary and Integrative Medicine in Cancer Care and Prevention: Foundations and Evidence-based Interventions. Micozzi MS, ed. 2007.
• Gale Encyclopedia of Cancer.Longe J, ed. 2006. Available in print at the Health Learning Center or online at http://www.nmh.org/nmh/hlc/main.htm.
• Integrative Nutritional Therapies for Cancer. Kumar NB. 2002.
• Mosby’s Complementary & Alternative Medicine: A Research-Based Approach. Freeman L. 2004.
• Natural Compounds in Cancer Therapy: Promising Nontoxic Antitumor Agents from Plants and Other Natural Sources. Boik J. 2001.

Journals and Journal Articles

• Alternative & Complementary Therapies: A New Bimonthly Publication for Health Care Practitioners. 2002–.
• Alternative Medicine Review. 2001–.
• Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine. 2001–.
• “Ancient Medicine, Modern Use: Withania somnifera and Its Potential Role in Integrative Oncology.” Alternative Medicine Review. 11(4):269–277. Winters M. December 2006.
• “Complementary therapies benefit breast cancer patients.” Health News. 12(9):13–15. September 2006.
• “Effect of Various Natural Products on Growth of Bladder Cancer Cells: Two Promising Mushroom Extracts.” Alternative Medicine Review. 12(1):63–68. Konno S. March 2007.
• “Fighting cancer at the grocery store.” Health News. 12(1):10–11. January 2006.
• “Is Flaxseed Safe for Someone with Breast Cancer?” Mayo Clinic Women’s Healthsource. 10(4):10. April 2006.
• “Pomegranates for the Prostate and the Heart: Seeds of Hope.” Harvard Men’s Health Watch. 11(9):4–5. April 2007.
• “The roles of complementary medicine in oncology.” Alternative Medicine Review. 12(4):313–318. Lamson DW. December 2007.

Databases

• Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database
• Natural Standard Database

Evidence-based information, updated daily. Call, e-mail, or stop in for answers to your questions about herbals, nutritional supplements, vitamins, and minerals.

Contact Us

For more information, please contact the Health Learning Center at 312.926.5465, the Alberto Culver Women’s Health Learning Center at 312.472.3640, or e-mail us at HLC@nmh.org.

Review Date: 11/08