Alternative Therapies for Chemotherapy Adverse Events
Course Overview
Cancer, and the drugs used to treat it, can cause various complications that impact quality of life. As a result, many patients diagnosed with cancer may consider the use of additional, alternative treatment options at some point in their journey with their diagnosis. These types of alternative therapies often come in the form of natural medicines and health and wellness modalities.
The practice of incorporating alternative therapies into conventional treatments is referred to as complementary medicine. For many patients, complementary medicine provides the autonomy and joint decision-making that can often be missing after a cancer diagnosis.
Patients who express interest in considering an integrative, complementary approach to treatment may do so for a variety of personal reasons, including hesitation about participating in recommended conventional cancer treatments, concerns about adverse effects, and/or a desire to increase their odds of a positive outcome.
Learning Outcomes
Upon the completion of this course, the learner should be able to:
- Review the common indications for complementary therapies during cancer treatment.
- Discuss the evidence for the use of cannabis, aromatherapy, and bee-derived products for managing chemotherapy-related complications.
- Compare the risks and benefits of herbal therapies when used in patients with cancer.
- Describe the evidence for vitamin and mineral supplements during cancer treatment.
- List considerations for the safe and effective use of health and wellness modalities in patients with cancer.
About the Author/Presenter
Chelsey McIntyre, PharmD, is a clinical pharmacist who specializes in drug information, literature analysis, and medical writing. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Genetics from the University of California, Davis. She then went on to complete her PharmD at Creighton University, followed by a clinical residency at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). Dr. McIntyre held the position of Drug Information and Policy Development Pharmacist at CHOP until her move to Washington state in 2017, after which she spent the next six years as a clinical editor for Natural Medicines, a clinical reference database focused on natural products and alternative therapies. She continues to create rigorous professional analysis and patient education materials for various publications while also practicing as a hospital pharmacist. Her professional interests include provider and patient education, as well as the application of evidence-based research to patient care.
Audience/Accreditations and Approvals
TRC Healthcare/ NetCE
In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by TRC Healthcare/ NetCE. TRC Healthcare/NetCE is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
This course is designed for the following healthcare professions (select your profession for details):
Nursing, Pharmacy
If you require special accommodations, please contact Colibri Healthcare Support by clicking here: Contact Us
