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Complementary therapies
At some stage you may hear about, or become interested in, complementary therapies. There are many different therapies available and information about these can be confusing. Here are some ideas about how to make informed and safe choices.
What are complementary therapies? Complementary therapies can support and enhance quality of life of and improve your well-being. They are used together with conventional medical treatments. They are not used to treat cancer. They can help with both the emotional and physical impact of cancer and its treatment — such as stress, anxiety, pain, fatigue and nausea. Does the doctor need to know? Yes. Always let your doctor know if you are thinking about using any type of complementary therapy — even if you do not think it will do any harm. Your doctor will let you know if a therapy could interfere with your cancer treatment. What types of complementary therapies are used by people with cancer?
Questions to think about before starting Find out as much as you can before you start any therapy. You may want to ask questions like:
You should always feel safe, comfortable and respected whenever using any complementary therapy.
What about diets, herbal medicines and vitamins?
The best way to get the vitamins and minerals you need is to eat a healthy diet. Talk to your doctor, dietician or Cancer Council Helpline 13 11 20 about food to eat during and after cancer treatment. Read Nutrition for people having cancer treatment for helpful tips.
Many people with cancer wonder if eating special food or changing their diet will help cure their cancer. So far, no diet, foods or supplements have been proved to cure cancer, or stop it coming back. If you are thinking about changing your diet, make sure it includes enough energy (kilojoules) and protein or you may lose weight, feel very tired and decrease your immune function.
Herbal medicines and dietary supplements Just because a substance comes from a natural source does not necessarily mean that it is safe. Taking vitamins, minerals, herbs or other botanicals, amino acids and other substances is very popular with people with cancer. People often take them to try and boost their body’s ability to fight cancer. Some supplements can be helpful in some circumstances and harmful in others.They may produce different effects at higher doses, unwanted or potentially harmful side effects or interact with other drugs. They may reduce the effectiveness of your cancer treatment.
Always talk to your doctor before using any supplements, and tell them about any you have been taking routinely – even those you think will do no harm. Herbal supplements and vitamins can also cost significantly more than prescription medicines. Find out if there is any evidence that they are effective. What about alternative therapies? Alternative therapies are used instead of conventional medical treatments. They are:
Some have been found to be ineffective or even reduce survival times overall.
Alternative therapies may cause harm or suffering to those who use them - always check with your health professional.
Where can I get reliable information?
Call Cancer Council Helpline 13 11 20 if you or your family have questions about complementary therapies, or would like to talk about any part of your cancer journey.
There is now considerable effort worldwide to gather the evidence as to whether or not particular therapies or supplements are helpful. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre - Integrative medicine section
easy to understand, evidence-based information on herbs, vitamins, and unproved cancer treatments. National Cancer Institute - see CAM section extensive information on supplements and the results of effectiveness trials of particular therapies. Find out more about Australian complementary medicines regulation. See particularly
What’s on the label for me? Find out more
The Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre Integrative Medicine Service’s research includes studies to evaluate the ability of specific complementary therapies to reduce important symptoms associated with cancer and cancer treatments, and the investigation of botanicals for potential anti-tumour effects. Their staff have published extensively in the area of complementary and alternative medicine and psychosocial aspects of cancer. Go to www.mskcc.org - see Cancer information>Integrative medicine  Top |
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