[How to Classify and Evaluate Complementary and Alternative Medicines in Oncology]

Abstract

There are a vast number of complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) in oncology. Also patients' needs for information on these methods are growing. Helping patients to classify and evaluate CAM methods is a challenge. The Cancer Information Service at the German Cancer Research Center has developed a benefit-risk-assessment based on evidence-based medicine and individual patient traits: To rate a CAM's benefit, the scientific evidence and the patient's therapeutic goals have to be taken into account. To estimate its risks, both, the method itself and the patient's status of health must be considered.