Many doctors remain concerned that those who bill themselves as alternative practitioners may, in reality, be quacks preying on the fears and vulnerability of the seriously or terminally ill. Doctors are obligated to caution their patients that "treatments marketed as alternatives don't meet the standards of safety and effectiveness set by the Food and Drug Administration," says William Jarvis, a health-education teacher at Loma Linda University. Jarvis, who heads a consumer group called the National Council Against Health Fraud, believes that many alternative-therapy success stories are unsubstantiated and untrue. He recently interviewed 150 cancer patients in California allegedly cured by alternative practitioners; none had actually been cured. Jarvis' organization has become particularly wary of the many alternative treatments offered to patients with AIDS.

We advise people considering unorthodox treatments to be careful when selecting an unproven remedy and open-minded about the possibility of combining traditional and nontraditional forms of healing. Research a treatment thoroughly and check out the attitudes of your alternative practitioner. Be suspicious if she or he is unwilling to speak with your regular doctor. Likewise, if your medical doctor refuses to consider supplementing your program with alternative treatments, you can probably find another with a more open mind. That's very important, because you should be able to discuss with your doctor whatever treatments you use or want. Unproven remedies can have harmful side effects, just as traditional medicines can, so it's crucial to keep the lines of communication open; if you have questions or concerns, you should be able to simply call and ask. And use common sense. If an unproven remedy is outrageously expensive or seems at all dangerous, it might end up doing more harm than good.