How to Evaluate Alternative Cancer Therapy

Alternative cancer therapy is on the rise. The “Journal of Clinical Oncology” reported that 69 percent of 453 cancer patients had tried at least one alternative treatment. The high demand for these treatments has led to a high number of options. It is important to evaluate each treatment before considering it.

1. Research any alternative therapies at www.cancer.gov. Some alternatives may have been evaluated by “The Best Case Series Program.” The program was developed by the National Cancer Institute and rigorously researches alternative therapies.


2. Evaluate the information available about the alternative you are considering. The Mayo Clinic recommends looking over the data using the three D approach. The first D stands for dates, check the dates on the data you find regarding the treatments. Some information may be many years old. The second D stands for documentation. Make sure you are looking at sound professional information and not advertising. The third D stands for double-check. Look at more than one source supporting the alternative therapies.


3. Carefully choose a provider. Check with the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine or ask your doctor for recommendations. Call the local health department to confirm the provider is certified to practice. Ask any potential providers if they specialize in any ailments or diseases.


4. Check out a book devoted to the topic, “Evaluating Alternative Cancer Therapies” by Dr. David Hess. The book does not recommend any specific treatment, but instead offers in depth information from the doctors, clinicians, researchers and patient advocacy leaders on the front lines of alternative cancer therapies.