Vancouver - BC Cancer Agency researchers have joined forces with scientists from across the country to zero in on why some patients forgo conventional cancer treatments in favour of alternative therapies and why others use them to merely complement the conventional treatment prescribed by their oncologist. It's the first time nationally coordinated studies have taken place in Canada.

Complementary therapies may include meditation, prayer, herbal therapies, acupuncture, creative therapies, nutrition, vitamins and supplements. Some complementary therapies are accepted within the medical establishment while others are not. Conventional cancer treatments include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, and bone marrow transplants.

A large-scale survey on complementary therapies is underway involving researchers from B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario, Quebec, and Nova Scotia. Questions focus on what patients are using, how they learned about specific complementary therapies and whether they discussed them with their doctors. 3,000 patients will be interviewed.

The provincial leader for the BCCA's Cancer Rehabilitation Network, Richard Doll, is overseeing the B.C. portion of the national prevalence study.

"Many therapies are believed to play a valuable role in supporting the mind, body, and immune system when used in conjunction with conventional cancer treatments," says Doll. "But in the early '90s, clinical and research staff had little interest in learning more about the use and impact of complementary therapies. That's not the case anymore."

Doll says many cancer specialists both in B.C. and across the country are willing to consider complementary therapies as an adjunct to conventional cancer treatments if it improves quality of life without adverse side effects.

"However, many family and cancer doctors aren't up to date on the latest complementary therapies. This information will help change that," he explains.

In the second study, researchers in Vancouver and Calgary will speak with people who have been diagnosed with cancer, but have declined at least one conventional cancer treatment and are now using alternative therapy. A research team at the BC Cancer Agency is currently recruiting for participants for the Vancouver focus groups. The findings will lay the groundwork for education and counselling programs that will support patients and doctors as they discuss cancer care options. It will also act as a springboard for more focused research on the meaning and impact of patient decision-making about alternative therapies.

"Although doctors recognize that some complementary therapies help patients cope with cancer-related stress and treatment side effects, they are deeply concerned when patients forgo conventional treatment and use alternative therapies on their own," Doll adds.

Some research suggests that many patients avoid telling their doctors what they are doing and for those patients who do, there is an expectation that their doctor support their decision. Only a few patients are believed to actually involve their doctor in evaluating the complementary therapy before making a decision.

The BC Cancer Agency has a long time interest in understanding the dimensions of complementary and alternative therapy use. The Agency has three task forces examining the issues and has established guidelines for answering patients' questions.

Newsflash: Recruitment is now underway for the study -- When Complementary Turns Alternative: An exploratory study of the decision to forgo conventional cancer treatment for alternative therapies. Patients in B.C. who have forgone a conventional cancer treatment and are using alternative cancer therapies can call (604) 877-6000, local 2187 for study information.