Are there alternative treatments for colon cancer?
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Colon cancer cannot be treated through alternative treatments. However, they can help treat the stress and anxiety of a colon cancer diagnosis. Exercise, meditation, and relaxation therapies are common for reducing stress. Creative therapies such as art, dance, movement, and music therapy are also popular. Though they do not treat the cancer itself, they may help the sad, angry, stressed, or fearful feelings a person has after diagnosis.
Colon cancer cannot be treated through alternative treatments. However, they can help treat the stress and anxiety of a colon cancer diagnosis. Exercise, meditation, and relaxation therapies are common for reducing stress. Creative therapies such as... More -
Dr. Anthony Kalloo of Johns Hopkins Medicine answered:Presently there are no forms of alternative treatments that have been shown to be effective for colon cancer. Alternative treatments refer to treatments that are not standard of care (such as surgery, radiation therapy or chemotherapy).
Helpful? 1 person found this helpfulPresently there are no forms of alternative treatments that have been shown to be effective for colon cancer. Alternative treatments refer to treatments that are not standard of care (such as surgery, radiation therapy or chemotherapy). More -
There are no effective “alternative” treatments for colon cancer. Scientists are looking for ways to prevent colon cancer and improve early detection treatments. Researchers have found natural substances in the body that promote cell growth known as growth factors. Some cancer cells grow especially fast because they respond more to growth factors than normal cells do. New drugs that can spot these types of cells are now being tested in clinical trials. The drugs might prevent cancer cells from growing so quickly. Another drug that interferes with the formation of blood vessels that nourish the tumors has also been FDA-approved. Chemoprevention is the use of natural or man-made chemicals to lower a person’s risk of getting cancer. Researchers are testing whether substances such as fiber, minerals, vitamins or drugs can lower colorectal cancer risk.
Studies of vitamin supplements and colorectal cancer risk have given conflicting results. Some studies have found that people who take multivitamins with folic acid (folate) have a lower colorectal cancer risk. Recent studies have found that people who took vitamin D supplements had a lower rate of colorectal cancer. Eating extra amounts of low-fat dairy products or using calcium supplements may reduce the formation of colorectal adenomatous polyps. Most experts say that people should not take large doses of vitamins or minerals unless they are part of a study or are under the care of a board certified gastroenterologist.
It appears that a diet high in fruits and vegetables may lower colorectal cancer risk as well as the risk of several other diseases. This has not been completely proven by all studies. Nearly all experts agree that it is better to eat more fruits and vegetables rather than to add fiber supplements to the diet. Scientists are learning more about some of the changes in DNA that cause cells of the colon and rectum to become cancerous. Understanding how these genes work should lead to new drugs and treatments to correct these problems. Early phases of gene therapy trials are already going on throughout North America.
Studies are going on to look at how well current colorectal cancer screening methods work and to explore new ways to inform the public about the importance of using these methods. New tests are also being developed.
There are no effective “alternative” treatments for colon cancer. Scientists are looking for ways to prevent colon cancer and improve early detection treatments. Researchers have found natural substances in the body that promote... More
