Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to Colleen O Lee.
Melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine) is a hormone produced by the pineal gland in the brain in response to darkness. Melatonin is made available when tryptophan is converted to serotonin and then enzymatically converted to melatonin in the pineal gland. Serum levels are low during the day, with peak levels occurring from 2-4 am.
OBJECTIVES: To review written resources disclosing reliable facts and knowledge in cancer complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). DATA SOURCES: Conventional and biomedical and complementary and alternative medicine journals, electronic media, full text databases, electronic resources, and newsletters. CONCLUSION: Sources of CAM information are numerous. The inherent quality of this information fluctuates. High-quality sources of cancer CAM information are available and accessible for health care providers. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: As the use of CAM therapies becomes more commonplace in consumer health care, it is critical that health care providers are cognizant of available sources of high-quality CAM facts and knowledge and possess the ability to discuss this information with colleagues and consumers in the scientific and lay communities.
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Public interest in CAM for cancer care likely will influence the need for continued scientific evaluation. The NCI BCS program evaluates case studies involving novel alternative therapies for cancer treatment. Through the NCI BCS program, meaningful data are generated that may lead to NCI-supported research projects, including prospective studies, clinical trials, and advances in scientific knowledge. Individuals interested in obtaining a submission packet for the NCI BCS program may access the official OCCAM Web site at http://www3.cancer.gov/occam/ or call 301-435-7980.
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Most cancer CAM clinical trials are treatment or supportive care trials in phase I, II, or III status. A recent search showed that, at present, a very limited number of retrievable pharmaceutical- or industry-sponsored cancer CAM clinical trials is listed in publicly accessible databases. Two databases, Center Watch and Trial Check, focus on industry, healthcare providers, and patient advocate groups and have fees or limited access. As more clinical trials are imported from NLM's Clinical Trials.gov to NCI's PDQ database, more cancer CAM trials will be accessible and free to the public. Published results from clinical trials are available in multiple locations and retrievable with advanced searching but remain of limited access to most of the public because of academic or hospital library subscription services. All cancer clinical trial results are not likely to be housed in one location (either via database or in print); thus, cancer CAM clinical trial results likely will not be either. Because PDQ currently is the central location for cancer CAM clinical trial listings in the United States, the database should be expanded to include published results that are retrievable by healthcare professionals and the lay public free of charge. In clinical and research roles, oncology nurses are compelled to keep abreast of advances in cancer care, especially in the realm of cancer clinical trials. Keeping abreast of results of cancer CAM clinical trials is vital for oncology nurses in patient education, advocacy, and advancement of evidence-based practice.
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Explore the source record for details and available documents.