Alternative therapies have resulted in significant improvement among pediatric cancer patients, according to a recent study published in Preventive Medicine.

 The study, conducted at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, found that 73% of pediatric cancer patients in western Washington State used alternative therapies to treat the cancer or to cope with the side effects from conventional medical cancer treatments.

Most patients and their families reported substantial improvements in health and well-being as a result of using alternative medicine.

Surveys were conducted during telephone interviews with parents of 75 living pediatric cancer patients (ages 0-18 years), who had first been diagnosed with invasive cancer between February 1997 and December 1998.

Patients were considered a user of alternative therapy if they met the criteria of receiving care from an alternative care provider within the past 12 months or had at least used one alternative supplement or therapy.

• 54%-59% of patients used herbal and high-dose vitamin supplements. Many used several products simultaneously.
• 20% of patients received care from a type of alternative provider, such as a naturopath or massage therapist. 90% sought alternative care to treat cancer symptoms and side effects.
• One-third of alternative providers and dietary supplements were used to prevent recurrence or spread of cancer.

Between 60-90% of parents reported improvements due to alternative providers, vitamin supplements, dietary changes, physical activity and mental and spiritual therapies.

This was the first population-based study in the United States to look at the use of alternative medicine in children with cancer.

SOURCE: Spotlight Health, www.spotlighthealth.com; WCA news, www.newswise.com, June 26, 2001; Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research, 2001.