Complementary/alternative medicine for supportive cancer care: development of the evidence-base

Aim: The aim of this article is to compare the evidence relating to the effectiveness of complementary/alternative medicine (CAM) in palliative cancer care as it existed in 2000 and 2005. Methods: Our comparison is based on systematic reviews using the same methodology at these two points in time. Results: The results reveal a buoyant research activity in this sector. Consequently, new evidence for 19 CAM modalities has emerged between 2000 and 2005. For some treatments, the evidence is encouraging but for very few, it is as yet fully convincing. Conclusion: It follows that further research is warranted, particularly in areas where the data already looks encouraging.