Today, more than ever before, people with cancer are using a variety of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies along with their conventional care. Many ask: How do I find a good CAM practitioner? Below are some key points to consider as you embark on this process.
Finding a Referral for a CAM Practitioner
It is very important to select a CAM practitioner who is qualified, experienced, properly credentialed, and trustworthy. Most CAM therapies are generally safe for people on the cancer journey, and many are indeed quite helpful as well. However, it is essential to discuss your interest in using any CAM modality with your oncologist before proceeding. This is especially true if it includes vitamins or mineral supplements, antioxidants, herbal preparations, botanicals, or other ingestible substances. Ask your oncologist if the therapy is safe and appropriate for you, and if he or she has any specific practitioners that they could recommend based on prior experience.
Here are some other ways of finding a referral:
1. Ask your primary care physician or other specialists you may be seeing.
2. Ask family members or friends if they have any experience with local practitioners they could recommend.
3. Contact your local hospital or a medical school and ask if they maintain a list of area CAM practitioners or could make a recommendation.
4. Contact a professional organization for the type of practitioner you are seeking. Professional organizations can be located by searching the Internet or directories in your library.
5. Ask other patients whom you know or might meet in a support group, or at the location where you are being treated.
6. Ask your health insurance company if your health policy offers or provides reimbursement for any CAM practitioners or therapies.
Preparing for Your First Visit with a CAM Practitioner
Once you have selected one or more potential CAM practitioners, here are some additional issues to consider:
1. Gather information about each practitioner’s credentials and experience. Where and when did they receive their training? What licenses or certifications do they hold?
Call the practitioner’s office directly to obtain this information. A growing number of states have regulatory agencies or licensing boards that can also provide information of this kind about a specific CAM practitioner. Your state, county, or city health department may also be able to help you find appropriate agencies or boards that oversee the training, licensing, accreditation, and regulations regarding many CAM practices.
2. Inquire whether it is possible to have a brief, initial consultation with the CAM practitioner in person or by telephone, which may or may not involve a charge.
3. Ask if they have a website or brochure they can send you describing their practice.
4. Prepare a summary of your health history. Be prepared to answer questions about your health history, including injuries, surgeries, and other major illnesses, as well as prescription medicines, vitamins, and other supplements you may be taking.
5. Consider reading more about the type of CAM modality you are considering. Reliable, up-to-date information about numerous types of therapies can be found in the Wellbeing section of Caring4Cancer.com.
Questions to Ask Your CAM Practitioner
Note: Feel free to bring a family member or friend with you to your first visit. Remember that you are under no obligation to receive a treatment, either at the time of your initial consultation or in the future. Questions to ask include:
1. How much will the treatments cost?
2. Will my insurance pay for the treatments, fully or partially?
3. Does the practitioner have direct experience working with people with cancer? If so, how much? Have they worked with people with my specific type of cancer? Would they be willing to speak with other members of my health care team, if desired?
4. What are the practitioner’s goals for the treatment?
5. Is the treatment safe for someone undergoing cancer treatment? What side effects should I expect from the treatment, if any? If any ingestible substances will be offered or recommended as part of my treatment, are there any possible interactions with other medications I am taking?
6. Is there is any scientific research supporting the treatment's safety and/or efficacy?
7. How long will the treatments continue?
8. Can they provide you with references about their work, if desired?
Making a Decision
After your initial visit with a CAM practitioner, consider the following:
1. Did you feel comfortable with the practitioner? Does your primary care provider agree that it is safe for you to receive this CAM therapy?
2. Did he or she answer your questions fully and in a kind, sensitive, and responsive manner?
3. Does the proposed treatment plan seem reasonable and manageable for you?
4. Do you have confidence in the practitioner’s training, experience, professionalism, and skill?
Communicating with Your CAM Practitioner and Your Medical Team
After you’ve begun participating in a CAM therapy, make sure to notify your oncologist. Also, remember the following:
1. Notify your CAM practitioner of any changes in your conventional treatment plan or your medical condition.
2. Feel free to stop treatment with a CAM practitioner if you feel uncomfortable at any time. Discuss the reasons you are not satisfied or comfortable with treatment.
3. Feel free to try various CAM practitioners and modalities to find what works best for you.
4. Communication is an important key to your health and well-being. Make sure to speak up about your wishes, concerns, needs, and desires.
5. Consider asking your oncologist or CAM practitioner whether there are any available CAM clinical trials in your area that might be appropriate for you.
Complementary and alternative medicine therapies should not be used as a replacement for conventional care. However, when used wisely and safely in conjunction with conventional care, they can be a helpful and meaningful part of your healing journey.