Focus on Alternative and Complementary Therapies
www.pharmpress.com/fact
Focus Alternat Complement Ther©2005 Pharmaceutical Press
Focus Altern Complement Ther 2005; 10: 92–3
As a researcher, educator and planner, Dr Cassileth has worked in alternative and complementary (integrative) medicine and psychosocial aspects of cancer care for over 25 years. She publishes and lectures on these topics internationally. She is associate editor or advisory board member of 11 medical journals, a founding member of the Advisory Council to the NIH Health Office of Alternative Medicine and a member of the national Board of Directors of the American Cancer Society. Her publications include 142 original papers in the medical literature and 44 books and chapters for physicians, patients and families. She has developed prototypic programmes in integrative medicine (clinical and research) and serves as consultant to hospitals wishing to create such departments. She is a sought-after lecturer and has given numerous media interviews. Her recent books include Herb–Drug Interactions in Oncology (2003) and Integrative Oncology: Complementary Therapies in Cancer Care (2005), both published by BC Decker Inc, Hamilton, Ontario.
Q What part of your work gives you the most pleasure?
BC: The opportunity to work with wonderfully bright and talented people, plus juggling research, clinical programme development, seeing patients and creating new clinical trials and botanical studies.
Q What advice would you give to someone going into CAM?
BC: Become an MD and specialise further in both medicine and complementary therapies.
Q What is the greatest danger to CAM?
BC: The persistent link in the minds of many, perpetuated by the CAM terminology, between quackery and useful complementary modalities.
Q Which form of CAM would you refuse to use?
BC: I neither would use, nor would we offer at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, therapies that have been disproved or that are irrational.
Q What do you feel is your highest professional achievement?
BC: I see many patients, including many who face end-stage disease. I believe they are comforted by these visits and I view this as my highest professional achievement. A close second is establishing the non-profit Society for Integrative Oncology and developing its First International Conference, which attracted over 600 oncology professionals and researchers to New York from every continent and numerous countries. This conference will help legitimise and professionalise complementary therapies, botanicals and other supplements in the oncology community.
Q What is the most important lesson life has taught you?
BC: Being a female PhD in a male MD world has been an interesting challenge. Although difficult at times, it was also kind of fun to see how far one could go despite these ‘impediments.’ (It turns out to be farther than most male MDs, indicating that other characteristics must be in play – no surprise to many of you who are overcoming similar obstacles.)
Q What makes you happy?
BC: Professionally, bringing together a small group of mainstream scientists and complementary therapists to brainstorm the creation of a new collaborative protocol. Personally, I am blessed with my husband, children and grandchildren.
Q What is the most treasured possession in your life?
BC: I clearly remember many years ago seeing how a fire that destroyed their bookstore with its treasured collections almost just as thoroughly destroyed the married couple who owned and ran the bookshop. Since that time only people to me are treasured possessions – virtually all else is replaceable.
Q What is your favourite book/film?
BC: I’m not sure it’s my favourite, but I loved Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code and look forward to the film. The confluence of ancient cultures and traditions, Renaissance art and the wonder of unravelling the mysteries of symbols produced since antiquity reflects my interests perfectly.
