Alternative Medicine

"My brother has been diagnosed with cancer. He wants to find out about alternative medicine as a possible treatment. He has seen ads for a clinic that claims to have an amazing success rate using unconventional approaches to cure many forms of cancer and other serious ailments. Should he believe them?"

Many unconventional treatments for cancer and other diseases are on the market. A few have undergone rigorous scientific testing for their curative value. Many that have been tested don't show effectiveness. Still, some forms of alternative therapy are recognized as helpful in caring for patients and helping them cope with some illnesses.

Usually, a primary care physician is the best source of information about alternative medicine as a supplement to conventional treatments. If someone tries to sell you an alternative treatment by promising that it is effective, ask for a copy of the studies that prove it. Then ask your primary care physician or family doctor to review the studies to determine their credibility. </p> <p>If you think you've been misled by advertisements for either alternative medicine or conventional treatments, be cautious and complain.

WHO CARES:

• YOUR STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL
• THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION
• Division of Service Industry Practices
  6th Street and Pennsylvania Ave., NW
  Washington, D.C. 20580
  202-326-3305
• THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION
• NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE
• AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY