With recent clinical advances, millions of people survive many years after a cancer diagnosis. And while their physicians deliver conventional, evidence-based therapies to treat the cancer, sometimes the cancer patient and his or her symptoms are not treated with equal skill. To manage their physical and emotional symptoms and promote health and well-being, most cancer patients and survivors use complementary therapies: Naturopathy, Ayurveda, herbalism, homeopathy, hypnosis, yoga, acupuncture, music therapy, macrobiotics, chelation therapy, colonics, hydrotherapy and many, many more. But OC are they safe? Are they effective? What problems do they address? What are the risks? When can they help? This unique and comprehensive book guides the way through the often confusing maze of complementary and alternative therapies promoted to cancer patients and survivors. The functions, benefits, backgrounds and risks are clearly presented. Learning when, if and how to use them provides medical professionals, cancer patients and survivors with the information they need to better control the symptoms and side effects of cancer and its treatment. Unfortunately, using some of these therapies without this expert guidance can lead to medical complications, or worse. The Complete Guide to Complementary Therapies in Cancer Care is an invaluable resource in making educated health care decisions for managing life during and after cancer. Through the wise and informed use of these approaches, cancer patients OCo whether just-diagnosed, during treatment or throughout Survivership are better able to manage the physical and emotional stresses that accompany cancer, leading to symptom control and improved quality of life."

Integration of complementary and alternative medicine therapies (CAM) with conventional medicine is occurring in hospitals and physicians offices, health maintenance organizations (HMOs) are covering CAM therapies, insurance coverage for CAM is increasing, and integrative medicine centers and clinics are being established, many with close ties to medical schools and teaching hospitals. In determining what care to provide, the goal should be comprehensive care that uses the best scientific evidence available regarding benefits and harm, encourages a focus on healing, recognizes the importance of compassion and caring, emphasizes the centrality of relationship-based care, encourages patients to share in decision making about therapeutic options, and promotes choices in care that can include complementary therapies where appropriate. Numerous approaches to delivering integrative medicine have evolved. Complementary and Alternative Medicine in the United States identifies an urgent need for health systems research that focuses on identifying the elements of these models, the outcomes of care delivered in these models, and whether these models are cost-effective when compared to conventional practice settings. It outlines areas of research in convention and CAM therapies, ways of integrating these therapies, development of curriculum that provides further education to health professionals, and an amendment of the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act to improve quality, accurate labeling, research into use of supplements, incentives for privately funded research into their efficacy, and consumer protection against all potential hazards.

Actively reflecting conventional medical treatment objectives, interactions, benefits, and risks, this book is presented in a format that patients can easily understand and that oncologists can confidently recommend to their patients.

Emphasising the multi-disciplinary nature of palliative care the fourth edition of this text also looks at the individual professional roles that contribute to the best-quality palliative care.

Explores various treatment options available to cancer patients, including Chinese medicine, toxins, and recent experimental therapies, and explains the important role diet and emotional health play in getting well.

Accompanying CD-ROM contains ... "complete text and illustrations of the book, in fully searchable PDF format."

Provide whole care to your cancer patients with: Up-to-date information on the uses of diet, nutrition, and herbs Elucidations of the use of mind-body therapies such as Guided Imagery, Expressive Therapies, and spirituality Legal and medical guidance for incorporating Naturopathy, Acupuncture, Homeopathy, and Ayurvedic Medicine in cancer care According to the U.S. National Center for Health Statistics and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (2004), up to 80% of cancer patients undergoing treatment by oncologists and radiation therapists also supplement their treatments with complementary and integrative medicines (CIM). Dr. Marc S. Micozzi has designed this text to provide a comprehensive resource for students and practitioners on the evidence for and applications of complementary, alternative, and integrative medical therapies. This is the first integrative oncology text for health professionals, and as such, it is essential reading for the incorporation of evidence-based practice into the care of patients with cancer and toward the prevention of cancer in the general population.