gms | German Medical Science

The actual situation concerning CAM for cancer in the german speaking countries can be characterized by 4 facts: 1. Increasing popularity and use of CAM by doctors,healers and patients,documented by several surveys, and supported by increasing media coverage. 2. Growing importance of “patient competence”(Nagel) with the will of patients for strengthening immune defense, for decision-sharing and for personal contribution.Information by the internet becomes more important. 3. Still unsatisfactory research situation with unconvincing results. Sufficient evidence for most methods is still lacking, despite new methodological attempts (i.e.retrolective epidemiological cohort studies). Representation of CAM in medical schools and available funds are limited,hindering good clinical research. 4. In Germany registration of CAM methods is still facilitated, lessening the pressure of manufacturers to test their drugs appropriately.On the other hand even unproven methods have to be remunerated by the assurance in special situations. Despite some laudable attempts the value of most CAM methods and their potential place in the comprehensive treatment of tumor patients is still not yet determined.Every effort should be made for improvement.