Therapeutic Pluralism ― Exploring the Experiences of Cancer Patients and Professionals

The profile of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has risen dramatically over the last decade and cancer patients represent its most prolific users. As a result, the NHS and UK cancer services are attempting to develop a wider range of therapeutic options for patients. Despite such developments, little is known about why cancer patients use CAM, its perceived benefits and the perspectives of the doctors and nurses involved.

Drawing on extensive fieldwork in the UK, Therapeutic Pluralism includes over 120 interviews with cancer patients and professionals, plus innovative ‘diary’ data which, for the first time, detail the experiences of CAM users. It gives a systematic analysis of issues such as:

• The development of patient preferences and influences on decision making
• Expectations of CAM and interpretations of ‘success’ in cancer treatment
• The nature and importance of ‘evidence’ and ‘effectiveness’ for patients
• The organisational dynamics involved in integrating CAM into the NHS
• Pathways to CAM and the role of the Internet
• The role of oncology clinicians in patients’ experiences of cancer and their use of CAMs

Therapeutic Pluralism is essential reading for students and researchers of medical sociology, complementary and alternative medicine and cancer. It will also be useful to medical and health professionals, and policy-makers with an interest in complementary and alternative medicine.

Alex Broom is a Lecturer in Health Sociology at the University of Newcastle, Australia.

Philip Tovey is a Reader in Health Sociology at the School of Healthcare, University of Leeds, UK.