Complementary therapies: What are we talking about?

Complementary therapies are used by cancer patients at every stage of treatment. Denying this reality would mean denying our patients’ quest for well-being and autonomy. It would also mean ignoring the satisfaction they derive from them. There is a need for clarification on the definitions of the terms used, as well as on regulations and practitioner training. Developing clinical studies of good methodological quality that are adapted to practice is essential to providing scientific proof of efficacy and safety (qualitative and quantitative evaluations). Integrating complementary therapies with supportive care is a fundamental interdisciplinary approach to integrative oncology. This integration must be considered at all levels – institutionally, within the framework of the service project, and in the patient's care pathway – in order to optimize quality of care and overall management.