What is Alternative Medicine, Complementary Medicine and Integrative Medicine?
The study of natural products is not new and has proven useful in the discovery of new drugs. With extensive research going on around the world, the study and evaluation of natural products continues in terms of their role in the prevention and treatment of cancer. The working principles in these researches are vital to the viability of medicine. It is imperative that the developments and practices in medicine are addressed on the basis of science. In this respect, the medical terms " Alternative" and "Integrative", which are widely used as terminology and are very confused with each other, should be defined and distinguished.
Alternative Medicine is a system that rejects modern medicine and uses its own systems entirely. It is a skeptical development for the scientific world, as it completely leaves aside the development of modern medicine. The point at which cancer-related experiences and cases carry modern medicine is too vital to be completely discarded. All kinds of experience kneaded with knowledge must be at the service of humanity. "Alternative Medicine" carries a great risk in such a case. For this reason, it is a system that is not recommended by experts. But particular cases needed to be examined carefully. In 2018, Johnson and his colleagues reviewed alternative medicine for Cancer and Its Impact on Survival. When looking at the common qualities of its users, it is multiplied by the fact that they are high education level, high income levels, young and advanced patients. In other words, it is important that people who exclude classical oncological therapies have high levels of education. The rejection of modern medicine by people at this level of education stands as a question of trust in terms of modern medicine.
Complementary Medicine does not provide traditional methods and molecules as the main treatment tool. They are auxiliary treatments to the main treatment models of modern medicine. In other words, they are the methods used to reduce side effects and increase patient compliance.
When we say Integrative Medicine, we are talking about a completely different phenomenon. Integrative Medicine proven by scientific systems and presented to the service of humanity. The mechanisms of action of traditional methods and molecules are explained by modern systems. Its purpose is treatment. It can be applied in combination with modern treatment and sometimes even alone. Unlike modern medicines, they are molecules that large pharmaceutical companies are not interested in because they cannot be licensed. A human-centered, treatment-based science based on knowledge, passed through a science filter and determined within the framework of all application principles. Integrative Medicine, which is a branch, has been accepted all over the world. Together with modern treatments, it is recommended to use it in the care of specialist physicians. Integrative Medicine is a Branch of Science in all over the world.
Treatment is person oriented. It sees and evaluates man as a whole with his mind, soul, body and environment.
It does not reject modern medicine; does not accept traditional and alternative systems alone.
It passes the methods or treatments through scientific filters and after this stage applies them in a unified, patient-oriented way and brings the best benefit to the patient.
Treatment alone is not enough. It puts the prevention of diseases in the focus of healthy living.
Sees the patient as a whole. It enables them to reach a healthier and better quality of life by creating changes in their behavioral, cognitive perceptions and eating habits.
Beyond reducing the side effects of targeted therapies, immunotherapies, chemotherapy and radiotherapy in cancer, it offers approaches that will pave the way for more successful treatments.
Integrative Oncology Association, Integrative Oncology Implementation Guide
Intergrative medicine, which is one of the branches of science that trains a very serious level of assistants, provides polyclinic services, and where researches increase the fastest in the world, is advancing and developing very rapidly. When we take a look at the medical journals in the medical industry, we see that Integrative Medicine journals, which include really important institutions, organizations and scientists, have emerged and they produce information rapidly. The most advanced country in the world in this regard is United States of America. The Association of Integrative Oncology (SIO-www.IntegrativeOnc.org), which was established in the USA to deal with this issue only, is an international organization established to support the scientific evaluation and dissemination of evidence-based information and the appropriate clinical configuration of holistic therapies. It also undertakes groundbreaking work. One of them is the Integrative Oncology Practice Guide they published.
With this guideline, the widespread use of holistic therapies in cancer patients is noted, while recommendations based on evidence and justification are presented. The fact that the difference between "integrative” and "alternative" therapies should be learned and understood is emphasized.
Integrative treatment methods, which are used together with and/or as an adjunct to mainstream treatment aproaches, are methods that serve to monitor and control the symptoms of the disease, improve the patient's quality of life and contribute to general patient care. Alternative therapies are not scientifically proven and are used as a replacement for mainstream therapy or recommended as valid therapeutic options over mainstream therapy methods. This approach may result in delayed treatment. It is particularly problematic in the field of oncology, as it can reduce the likelihood of recovery from the disease. There are many experiences where it has been proven that alternative treatments do not work, but adversely affect the disease. Over time, some integrative therapies have proven to be safe and effective.
Integrative oncology is a scientific method and has been accepted as a science all over the world. It is an approach to the treatment of patients. Integrative oncology aims to touch people's lives more with other scientific methods by using scientific methods.
Founded by leading oncologists and oncologists at major cancer centers and organizations, the Journal of the Society of Integrative Oncology and the Society of Integrative Oncology is very keen on the use of necessary terminology to separate topics from inappropriate treatments and "alternatives" to demonstrate quality research and proper application in helpful, ancillary integrative methods. they attach great importance.
https://integrativeonc.org
American Cancer Society and Integrative Oncology Association Work Together
https://journals.sagepub.com/home/ict
