In 1991, the Office of Alternative Medicine was established by the United States Congress. Part of the National Institutes of Health, the major goal of this new office is to evaluate the merits of complementary techniques and promising alternatives in effecting cure or alleviating the symptoms of illnesses, including cancer. A range of alternatives, including homeopathy, meditation and other mind-body techniques, and acupuncture, will be evaluated. Regardless of their outcome, such investigations will provide extremely important information.
That eventual information, your physician's advice and the resources noted above will help you and your family become educated health care consumers able to consider helpful adjunctive or complementary therapies and avoid treatments that have no benefit. You will certainly save financially. You will spare yourself much anguish. You may gain yourselves precious moments together. And, if there is still a chance for remission or cure, you may also prevent a tragedy of the highest order.
