Alternative & Complementary Care for Cancers
Clinical trials are currently underway to see how effective complementary and alternative medicine, or CAM, is as a treatment for cancer.
Complementary medicine refers to treatments used in conjunction with conventional medicine, such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Alternative medicine, such as acupuncture, is used as a replacement to conventional medicine.
Cancer experts recommend using alternative therapies as a complement to conventional medicine not as a substitute for it. This is because a long clinical history has already been established to explain the effects of traditional medicines against cancer.
Some evidence suggests that massage, meditation, aromatherapy, yoga and tai chi can be used to reduce fatigue, pain, nausea and vomiting, stress and sleep problems in cancer patients.
Trials in the U.S. are further studying the effects of using supplements with chemotherapy to treat tumors and using acupuncture to reduce the symptoms of colon and rectal cancers.
Recently Answered
- Q Does homeopathy help treat cancer treatment?
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Evidence to support the use of homeopathy in the treatment of cancer is lacking. More studies are needed. You should read product labels, and discuss all therapies with a qualified healthcare provider. Natural Standard information does not constitute... Full Answer
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- Q What exactly are complementary and alternative therapies for cancer?
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Not everyone uses these terms the same way, and they are used to refer to many different methods, so it can be confusing. We use complementary to refer to treatments that are used along with your regular medical care. Alternative treatments are used... Full Answer
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- Q Is group support beneficial for people with cancer?
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Dr. Ramani Durvasula, PsychologyYes, the main issue is that the group facilitator is trained specifically in working with persons with cancer. There is tremendous clinical value for people who are coping with an illness such as cancer to be in a room with other people who are... Full Answer
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- Q Can certain foods fight cancer?
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Dr. Mehmet Oz, CardiologyCertain food combinations can combat cancer. Learn what they are in this video with Dr. Oz. Full Answer
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- Q What are the types of heat therapy?
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There are three types of heat therapy: local, regional, and whole-body treatments. Heat is applied from sterile probes to a small area in local therapy. A limb or organ is heated during regional therapy. Warm blankets, hot wax, or thermal... Full Answer
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- Q What is massage therapy for cancer treatment?
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Massage is a manual therapy that involves the rubbing or kneading of parts of the body to aid circulation and relax the muscles. There are various forms of manual therapies: Swedish massage Reflexology Lymphedema massage Myofascial release... Full Answer
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- Q What is botanical therapy for cancer treatment?
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Botanical therapy uses many different plant substances as medicine. One plant may be able to address many problems simultaneously by stimulating the immune system to help fight off cancer cells. How it's used: Botanical therapies come in the form... Full Answer
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- Q Is there a benefit from taking Astragalus for cancer treatment?
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Dr. Henry McCann, Alternative & Complementary MedicineAstragalus is a very commonly used Chinese herb with few side effects. It is used as a general Qi tonic and in China is routinely given to cancer patients in addition to other treatments. One study done in China and published in the Indian Journal of... Full Answer
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- Q Can pectin help to fight the spread of cancer?
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Dr. Michael T Murray, Naturopathic MedicineModified citrus pectin (MCP), also known as fractionated citrus pectin, is a complex sugar (polysaccharide) obtained from the peel and pulp of citrus fruits. Modified citrus pectin is rich in short, non-branched, galactose-rich carbohydrate chains. These... Full Answer
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- Q Can hydrogen peroxide therapy treat cancer?
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No. Some alternative medicine practitioners suggest this as an alternative to other treatments, because it is thought that more oxygen in the body can stop cancer cells from thriving. But there is no clear evidence that hydrogen peroxide is an effective... Full Answer
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