Alternative (unproven) treatments
These are proven treatments such as radiotherapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, immunotherapy and surgery. These are also known as 'medical', 'conventional' or 'mainstream' treatments.
These treatments have been tested in clinical trials and shown to be effective. (See the description of clinical trials below.) For example, it has been proven in clinical trials that:
Established treatments are prescribed by general practitioners, cancer specialists (oncologists) and other medical specialists. You have these treatments in hospitals and doctors' surgeries and sometimes at home.
These are treatments that are being tested in clinical trials. Clinical trials test new drug therapies, procedures, treatment combinations, preventative measures, screening methods and alternative treatments to see if they are better than the established treatments.
Clinical trials examine treatments that have shown promise during initial testing. For example, a researcher may think that a chemical that affects cell growth could be used to destroy cancer cells. Tests evaluating its safety and effectiveness will be done in the laboratory and then on animals. If it is thought to be safe and effective enough, it will be tested on people in a clinical trial.
There are three clinical trial phases. The cancer specialists carefully watch the effects of the new treatment on the people in the trial. If the treatment goes through to the end of the third clinical trial phase, the results of the new treatment are compared with established treatments. If the treatment that was trialled is better, and usually after it has been confirmed with other trials, it will be recommended to other doctors for their patients.
A clinical trial will only be conducted if the new treatment is thought to be at least as effective as the established treatment for a cancer.
Clinical trials are conducted and monitored according to strict guidelines. The treatments are given strictly to plan. Results are collected, analysed and published in scientific journals.
People in trials are treated according to an agreed document that sets out the terms of treatment (known as a treatment protocol). They are reviewed frequently during and for a time after the treatment phase, and so receive very high quality care. Some studies have shown that people treated in clinical trials have better outcomes than people who do not join clinical trials.
People are told about clinical trials by their doctor or they may hear about them from the media, the Internet or other sources. They can volunteer to join the trial.
These are treatments that are said-by the people who provide them-to be alternative to established treatments. People who provide alternative (unproven) treatments say they will or may cure cancer, but this has not been shown in clinical trials.
Alternative (unproven) treatments are also known as integrative, unproven, holistic, non-mainstream and unconventional treatments or remedies.
Alternative cancer treatments for which 'miracle cures' have been claimed include magnets, various diets, coffee enemas, fresh cell therapy, microwave therapy, oxygen therapy and laetrile and other plant products. Be wary of these claims. Ask the alternative practitioner to give you evidence to back them. One or two books by people who deliver a certain treatment is not strong evidence. Look for articles in recognised medical or scientific journals. Recognised medical journals are listed in PubMed, an international database of biomedical journals. It is even more important to discuss these 'apparent cures' with the doctors treating you. Your doctors will usually have up-to-date information on the claims.
These are therapies such as massage, aromatherapy and meditation. People may feel a greater sense of wellbeing while they take the treatments. These are often called 'supportive therapies'. They are not promoted as cancer treatments or cures in their own right.
Some, like massage, have been used for centuries to complement mainstream medicine. They may help people feel more relaxed and able to cope better with the impact of their illness.
Updated September 2004
