Department of Oncology/Hematology, Klinikum Nuernberg, Germany

The Department of Oncology and Hematology at the Klinikum Nuernberg, Germany, has since 1989 been running a study group entitled „AG Biologische Krebstherapie“ in order to investigate and assess the efficacy and safety of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in the care of cancer patients (http://www.med5-nbg.de).

Thanks to the funding of the German Cancer Aid, the study group has worked steadily to meet the growing demand for information about CAM therapies in the management of cancer among patients, health professionals and the general public by preparing systematic reviews, conducting clinical trials, disseminating reliable evidence and providing an information and counselling service.

The research activities of the group comprise: - best case series - clinical research and - systematic reviewing.

Regarding the growing need for reliable information concerning CAM of both the lay public and health professionals the study group established several services:

• A counselling service for patients and their relatives
• Support groups according to current concepts of psychooncology
• Information service for therapists, health care providers etc.

Our group has built competence to deal with the complexity of this field, which ranges from research focusing on efficacy and effectiveness of single methods to patient-centered information, counselling and guidance concerning the decision to utilize CAM.