In the United States, nearly 40% of people believe that cancer can be cured through alternative therapies alone, according to a survey conducted by the American Society of Clinical Oncology. This figure is alarming because evidence shows that people who use alternative therapies instead of conventional cancer treatments have much higher mortality rates Sananga.
The terms “alternative,” “complementary,” and “lifestyle” medicine are used to describe many types of products, practices, and treatments that are not part of conventional or traditional medicine. Alternative therapy refers to unconventional treatment that is used in place of conventional treatment, while complementary therapy usually refers to methods that are used in conjunction with conventional treatment. Lifestyle medicine is a newer field that describes its approach as preventing and treating disease through healthy eating, physical activity, and other healthy behaviors without the use of medications.
In some cases, complementary methods can help cancer patients feel better when used alongside conventional treatment and under the supervision of a health care professional. Alternative and complementary therapies are often attractive because they use your own body, your own mind, or elements that can be found in nature. But sometimes these methods mistakenly claim to prevent, diagnose, or treat cancer even when they have not been proven to work by scientific testing.
And in the most severe cases, some alternative or complementary therapies can be dangerous and even deadly. Some can even interfere with the way conventional cancer treatment works. If you are considering using any unconventional therapy, it is important to talk to your healthcare team about it first.
Alternative and complementary therapies may carry risks
Some of these therapies promise well-being through a method that sounds simple, healthy and without harmful side effects. But this is not always true. Some concerns include:
Delay surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, or other traditional treatment by using an alternative therapy that could give the cancer a chance to grow and spread to other parts of the body.
Some complementary and alternative therapies have been reported to cause serious problems and even death.
Certain vitamins and minerals can increase the risk of cancer and other diseases, especially if taken in excess. Some companies do not follow Food and Drug Administration (FDA) rules about what they claim to contain and proper labeling of supplements. In some cases, harmful contaminants can be introduced into dietary supplements due to the way they are manufactured or handled.
How complementary medicine can be useful and safe
Some complementary methods have been studied and shown to help people feel better while they are receiving conventional cancer treatment under the care of a doctor. Some examples might include meditation to reduce stress, peppermint or ginger tea for nausea, or guided imagery to help relieve stress and pain during medical procedures.
Many complementary treatments are unlikely to cause harm and will not interfere with your cancer treatment. Here are some examples:
Acupuncture can help with mild pain and some types of nausea.
Art therapy or music therapy can promote healing and improve quality of life.
Biofeedback uses monitoring devices to help people gain conscious control over physical processes that are usually controlled automatically, such as heart rate, blood pressure, temperature, sweating, and muscle tension.
According to some studies, therapeutic massages (massage therapy) can reduce stress, anxiety, depression and pain and increase alertness.
Prayer and spirituality help many people with the emotional side effects of cancer.
Tai chi and yoga have been shown to improve strength and balance in some people.