Cancer Society of Finland Matti Rautalahti Alternative medicine - sound and safe? Matti Rautalahti Chief Medical Officer Cancer Society of Finland

Matti Rautalahti Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) Diverse medical and health care systems, practices, and products that are not presently considered to be part of conventional medicine.

Cancer Society of Finland Matti Rautalahti CAM’s Use with conventional therapy for cancer Use instead of conventional therapy for cancer Use with conventional cancer therapy for other purposes

Cancer Society of Finland Matti Rautalahti Complementary medicine used together with conventional medicine e.g. aromatherapy to help lessen a patient's discomfort following surgery.

Cancer Society of Finland Matti Rautalahti Alternative medicine used instead of conventional medicine E.g. special diet to treat cancer instead of surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy

Cancer Society of Finland Matti Rautalahti Additional therapy Use with conventional cancer therapy for other purposes E.g. herbal remedies for sleep disorders

Cancer Society of Finland Matti Rautalahti "Alternative" Genuine –comparable methods that have met the criteria for safety and effectiveness. Experimental alternatives –unproven but have a plausible rationale and are undergoing responsible investigation. Questionable "alternatives" –unproven and lack a scientifically plausible rationale

Cancer Society of Finland Matti Rautalahti Alternative medicine? ”medicine”: the scientific study of the prevention and cure of diseases and disorders of the body ”alternative medicine” = misnomer? ”medicine man”: a witch doctor ”take one’s medicine”: to submit to punishment for one’s wrongdoing ”belief treatment”

Cancer Society of Finland Matti Rautalahti ”Sound”? plausible rationale (scientific theory) undergone or undergoing responsible investigation (experimental studies, clinical trials) National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NIH/NCCAM)

Cancer Society of Finland Matti Rautalahti NCCAM Massage Therapy for Breast Cancer Treatment-Related Swelling of the Arms and Legs Healing Touch and Immunity in Advanced Cervical Cancer Patients Efficacy of Distant Healing in Glioblastoma Treatment

Cancer Society of Finland Matti Rautalahti ”Sound”? Swiss Study Group for Complementary and Alternative Methods in Cancer, Swiss Cancer League Complementary and Alternative Cancer Medicine in Europe: Search and Evaluation through a Network (CAM –CANCER) internet? – entries –

Cancer Society of Finland Matti Rautalahti Sound or quackery? evaluated in clinical trials and reported in reputable scientific journals? medical community is trying to keep the cure from the public? nutritional or diet therapy? harmless and painless, no side effects? "secret formula"? SQ +– – +

Cancer Society of Finland Matti Rautalahti Sound? Cancer cured! Patient never had cancer. Proven therapy was used, but questionable therapy was credited Cancer is erroneously reported as cured Patient has died but is reported as cured Patient had a spontaneous remission (very rare) that is publicised as a cure

Cancer Society of Finland Matti Rautalahti Safe? ”Free from risk or danger”

Cancer Society of Finland Matti Rautalahti Harm? Economic Harm –individuals and families –trap of "leaving no stone unturned" for a remedy in hopeless cases.

Cancer Society of Finland Matti Rautalahti Harm? Direct Harm –death –serious injury –unnecessary suffering –disfigurement

Cancer Society of Finland Matti Rautalahti Harm? Indirect Harm –delay or failure to act –overreliance upon dietary treatment

Cancer Society of Finland Matti Rautalahti Harm? Psychological Harm –Misplaced trust - undermining trust in the research and therapeutic establishment –Stealing time

Cancer Society of Finland Matti Rautalahti Harm? Harm to Society –Limited resources wasted, if funds are used to follow leads based on wishful thinking

Cancer Society of Finland Matti Rautalahti True or false - short guide to quackery Incomplete or missing labelling Manufacture’s address missing or incomplete Costs a fortune Marketing uses superlatives and difficult terminology Marketed as ”almostmedicine” Ads refer to scientific experiments, books, experts, and research by official institutions Proof of effectiveness based on testimonials It is marketed as a remedy to a disease and it works on many problems It sounds too good to be true !