In addition to the traditional cancer treatment techniques that doctors use to treat cancer, such as radiation and chemotherapy, there are also some alternative treatment. Note: These treatment do not replace traditional medicine, but rather should be used as a supplement to the treatment plan your physician recommends.
Alternative treatments are known as complementary and alternative medicine -- CAM, for short.
People with cancer may use CAM to:
- Help cope with the side effects of cancer treatments, such as nausea, pain, and fatigue
- Comfort themselves and ease the worries of cancer treatment and related stress
- Feel that they are doing something more to help with their own care
- Try to treat or cure their cancer
Making Choices
It's natural to want to fight your cancer in any way you can. There is a lot of information available, and new methods for treating cancer are always being tested, so it may be hard to know where to start.
Many people try CAM therapies during cancer care. CAM does not work for everyone, but some methods may help you manage stress, nausea, pain, or other symptoms or side effects.
Be sure to talk to your doctor before you try anything new. This will help ensure that nothing gets in the way of your cancer treatment.