Complementary and Alternative Medicine for Cancer

By Denise DeWitt HERWriter

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People who have cancer often look for options or additions to traditional medicine in their search for the best cancer treatments. Many people explore options in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM).

CAM is the name used for medical treatments and products that are not considered to be part of standard medical care by medical doctors, registered nurses, physical therapists, and other traditional health care providers.

Complementary medicine refers to non-standard procedures and products that are used along with standard medical care. Alternative medicine refers to non-standard practices that replace or are used instead of standard treatments.

It is important to note that CAM does not work equally well for everyone. Some people find relief from the side effects of standard treatments using CAM. The National Institutes of Health National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine offers several warnings to people considering CAM to treat cancer:

• CAM should not be used instead of standard cancer treatments. Patients should not delay seeing their doctor or beginning standard treatments while they consider CAM.

• There is no current scientific evidence that CAM can prevent or cure cancer.

• Scientific studies show some CAM practices may help reduce the symptoms of cancer and standard cancer treatments.

• CAM may interfere with the effectiveness of some standard cancer treatments. Before you begin any CAM treatment, talk to your doctors to make sure all aspects of treatment will work effectively together.

Some people find CAM to be effective at reducing nausea, pain, and tiredness caused by cancer treatments. CAM may also help reduce stress and help ease the worries of cancer treatments.

In general, CAM treatments for cancer fall into one of five categories:

• Mind-Body – Belief that the mind can affect the body. Examples include meditation, biofeedback such as using machines to learn how to slow heart rate, hypnosis, and yoga.

• Biological – Treatment using things from nature including natural supplements, vitamins, herbs, and special diets. The National Cancer Institute warns that despite claims from some providers, no special food or diet has been shown to cure or control cancer.

• Manipulative – Treatment moving or working with specific parts of the body. Examples include chiropractic manipulation of joints, massages, and reflexology which uses pressure points on the hands and feet to make changes in other parts of the body.

• Energy – Belief that the body has energy fields that can be manipulated to help with healing. Examples include tai chi, reiki, and therapeutic touch treatment.

• Whole Systems of Medicine – Other cultures and people in different parts of the world have developed different types of treatments. In India, ayurvedic medicine works to balance body, mind, and spirit. Chinese medicine looks for a balance of yin and yang. Homeopathic and naturopathic medicine use various methods to help the body heal itself.

While scientists do not believe CAM can cure cancer, some types of CAM are recognized for their ability to help patients feel better during standard cancer treatments. Talk to your doctor about any CAM treatments you are considering to make sure all aspects of your healthcare work together to achieve the best possible result.

Sources:
National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Cancer and CAM: At a Glance. Web. November 6, 2011.
http://nccam.nih.gov/health/cancer/camcancer.htm

National Cancer Institute. Thinking about Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Web. November 6, 2011.
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/cam/thinking-about-CAM

Medline Plus. Cancer Alternative Therapies. Web. November 6, 2011.
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/canceralternativetherapies.html

National Cancer Institute. Complemetary and Alternative Medicine. Web. November 6, 2011.
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/cam

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We value and respect our HERWriters' experiences, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice, although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.