Enhancing Cancer Care by Jennifer Barraclough

Google has over two million entries about complementary therapy in cancer care. It is encouraging to see so much interest in this topic. But the volume of material can seem overwhelming, and some of the websites give information which is misleading or incomplete. Enhancing Cancer Care: Complementary Therapy and Support, edited by me (Jennifer Barraclough) and published by Oxford University Press is an evidence-based practical guide to this complex and controversial field, with contributions by experts from around the world. The focus is on supportive care for patients and families, rather than alternative treatments for cancer.

By definition, complementary therapies are not considered part of standard medical practice, but can be used alongside it. They include a varied range of interventions which all share the general purpose of improving physical, mental and spiritual well-being through natural methods tailored to individual needs. They can help restore a sense of choice and control to those feeling disempowered by their illness and the high-tech methods used to treat it. There is now sound research evidence that complementary therapies, when skillfully used, can help to relieve symptoms of cancer and the side-effects of medical treatments, improve quality of life and perhaps even extend survival, as well as being pleasant to receive. But there is still much to learn, for example:

• Which therapies work best for particular symptoms?
• Is it alright to use them together with chemotherapy or radiotherapy?
• What about service delivery and funding, and how far should they be integrated with conventional management?
• Is there a need for tighter regulation?

Despite all the evidence in their favour, complementary therapies are not a panacea. If misused, they not only waste time and money but may cause emotional and physical harm, for ‘natural’ does not always mean ‘safe’.

Although mainstream healthcare professionals and complementary practitioners have become much more willing to work together in recent years, they sometimes operate on different ‘wavelengths’ which can lead to misunderstanding and controversy. As a former medical doctor who has also trained with the College of Healing and the Bach Centre I can appreciate both viewpoints, and hope this book will help to bridge the gap between them.

Part 1 has chapters about the principles of holistic healthcare, the evaluation of complementary therapies, experience of providing them in oncology units and hospices for adults and children, and the role of family doctors in guiding the choice of therapies and therapists.

Part 2 describes sixteen specific approaches, reviewing the evidence for their benefits, explaining what happens during consultation and treatment, and what adaptations of technique may be required for safe practice in the cancer care setting.

The text is illustrated by real-life stories. One man who had experienced counseling, art therapy, group support, guided imagery and visualization, nutritional advice and spiritual healing at the cancer help centre in Bristol, UK wrote that the approach

‘…enabled me to regain control over my health and well-being. It proved to be the catalyst for many changes in my life. There were things that I could do to help my body, mind and spirit and now was the time to do them!’

Copyright 2007 Jennifer Barraclough Bach Foundation Registered Practitioner, Auckland, New Zealand. www.jenni.co.nz