Integrative and complementary practices in oncologic treatment and the role of nursing

Abstract

Objective: characterizing the Integrative and Complementary Practices (PICs) used in cancer treatment, and the role of nursing in this context. Method: it was conducted an integrative review of the literature in the months of june and july 2012, in databases MEDLINE, BDENF, LILACS, SciELO and CINAHL through the crossing controlled descriptors cancer and complementary therapies and complementary therapies and nursing. Results: Obtained 34 studies, being the year 2009 the most expressive of publications, being the United States and Brazil the main contributors. The bio-based therapy is the main PIC used in cancer treatment. It was revealed that nursing acts incipiently this scenario. Conclusion: thus, it is expected to instigate health professionals, especially nurses, to seek new knowledge about the object of study, as well as reflect on the paths needed for the most professional approach of PICs.