Re: [MOL] Reply to Jo Ann/Alternative Medicines..... [01198]

ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE WEBSITES

           International Bibliographic Information on Dietary
           Supplements (IBIDS) Database (Office of Dietary
           Supplements/NIH)
               Searchable database of published, scientific literature on
               dietary supplements, vitamins, minerals, and botanicals. IBIDS
             contains over 300,000 citations and abstracts. Developed to
               assist the public, health care providers, and researchers in
               locating credible, scientific literature on dietary supplements.

           NIH National Center for Complementary and Alternative
          Medicine (NCCAM)
               Conducts and supports research and training; disseminates
               information on complementary and alternative medicine to
               practitioners and the public. NCCAM resources include the
               CAM Citation Index (searchable & browsable database of more
               than 180,000 citations from 1996-1998 extracted from MEDLINE);
               and the NCAAM Clearinghouse (contains information on NCCAM
               programs, conferences, and research activities).

           Quackwatch
           Stephen Barrett, MD
               Guide to health fraud and "quackery." Of particular note is the
               section entitled, "Special Message for Cancer Patients Seeking
               'Alternative' Treatments.

           University of Texas Center for Alternative Medicine Research
           in Cancer (UT-CAM)
               Investigates the effectiveness of alternative and complementary
               therapies used for cancer prevention and control. Website
               contains evaluative information on various therapies, including
               herbal & plant therapies (e.g., essiac), biologic & organic
               therapies (e.g., cartilage), chemical & pharmacologic therapies
               (e.g, antineoplastons, hydrazine sulfate) as well as special
               regimes & integrated systems (e.g., Gerson, macrobiotics).
               One of eleven centers established by the National Center for
               Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) at the
               National Institutes of Health (NIH).

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      ARTICLES OF INTEREST

           Considering Complimentary and Alternative Therapies? (NCCAM)
               Brief guide to considering complementary and alternative
               therapies. Discusses how to assess the safety and effectiveness
               of the therapy; how to examine a practitioner's expertise; and how
               to evaluate the service delivery. Addresses the issue of cost and
               the issue of how to consult with your health care provider about
               alternative treatments and therapies.

           "Questions and Answers About Complementary and Alternative
           Medicine in Cancer Treatment" (NIH Cancer Facts)
               Answers questions and provides resources for learning more about
               complementary and alternative therapies.

           Anesthesiologists Warn: If You're Taking Herbal Products,
           Tell Your Doctor Before Surgery (American Society of
           Anesthesiologists)
               ASA Press Release cautions those who use herbal medications
               that these "natural" products could pose a serious health risk if
               taken prior to surgery.

           Shark Cartilage Deemed Ineffective for Cancer Treatment
         (American Society for Clinical Oncologists)
                Summary, be Patricia A. Ganz, MD, of a study published in the
                November 1999 edition of the Journal of Clinical Oncology that
                details the results of shark cartilage research. The author of the
                study, Denis Miller, MD, is quoted as saying "It [shark cartilage]
                doesn't work."