[Should alternative therapists treat cancer--what is the opinion of oncology health personnel?].

Background: This study compares attitudes to the proposed new Alternative medicine act that would give Norwegian practitioners of alternative medicine more scope in treating patients with cancer.

Material And Methods: In June 2002 a questionnaire on alternative and complementary medicine was distributed among 156 physicians, 414 nurses, 164 radiation therapists and 94 administrative staff members in the five Norwegian university hospitals responsible for cancer treatment. 61% returned the questionnaire.

Results: Of all respondents, 29% described themselves as having a positive attitude to alternative medicine. When the health services can offer no healing or palliative treatment to offer, 41% of the physicians and 60% of other health care workers were of the opinion that alternative practitioners could treat cancer. More than 50% of respondents were of the opinion that the patients themselves had the right to determine whether or not to use alternative medicine. When health authorities require communication between practitioners and physicians more than 70% of all health care workers felt that this contact had to be in writing.

Interpretation: Most health care workers treating cancer are of the opinion that practitioner of alternative medicine might treat cancer if the health services have no healing or palliative treatment. Required contact between physicians and alternative practitioners must be in writing.