People with cancer have to make different choices throughout the course of their treatment to fight against the disease, manage symptoms and deal with the side effects. Many of them are considering alternative cancer treatments including Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM). CAM therapies such as yoga, meditation, herbal medication, acupuncture etc., may help people with cancer regain control over their bodies.
CAM treatments are still being widely researched for their effectiveness and safety. However, these alternative cancer treatments are known to provide relief from signs and symptoms that the disease or associated treatments may cause.
What is Complementary and Alternative medicine?
CAM is a diverse group of health care and medical systems, products and practices that are generally classified as non-standard treatments. Complimentary medicine refers to treatments that are used alongside other conventional treatments. Alternative medicine involves treatments that are used instead of standard practices.
Complementary and alternative procedures do not cure cancer, but they provide relief from symptoms, and helps patients come along. Alternative cancer treatments, unlike conventional procedures, are not scientifically proven. Hence it is important that you consult your doctor before considering any CAM procedure.
What are the different types of CAM?
There are a number of alternative cancer treatments being practiced today and they can be grouped under a general classification as follows:
Mind and body practices: Techniques such as yoga, hypnosis, meditation, creative outlets including music, dance and art therapies and imagery techniques involve the mind and body, and is based on the belief that the mind can control the body. Mind body practices are known to reduce side effects of cancer treatments and improve the emotional and physical state of well-being.
Nutritional, pharmacologic and biologic practices: Nutritional practice includes special diets and supplements such as antioxidants and coenzymes. Biologic treatments for cancer use natural dietary supplements and herbal products in the form of special diets, vitamins and foods. Botanicals, hormones and vaccines are also used for treating cancer and the side effects caused due to associated treatments.
Energy medicine: Reiki, therapeutic touch and tai chi are a few examples of energy medicine. These practices are based on the belief that controlling the energy fields that the body has, can be used to treat diseases and other conditions.
CAM treatments are still being widely researched for their effectiveness and safety. However, these alternative cancer treatments are known to provide relief from signs and symptoms that the disease or associated treatments may cause.
What is Complementary and Alternative medicine?
CAM is a diverse group of health care and medical systems, products and practices that are generally classified as non-standard treatments. Complimentary medicine refers to treatments that are used alongside other conventional treatments. Alternative medicine involves treatments that are used instead of standard practices.
Complementary and alternative procedures do not cure cancer, but they provide relief from symptoms, and helps patients come along. Alternative cancer treatments, unlike conventional procedures, are not scientifically proven. Hence it is important that you consult your doctor before considering any CAM procedure.
What are the different types of CAM?
There are a number of alternative cancer treatments being practiced today and they can be grouped under a general classification as follows:
Mind and body practices: Techniques such as yoga, hypnosis, meditation, creative outlets including music, dance and art therapies and imagery techniques involve the mind and body, and is based on the belief that the mind can control the body. Mind body practices are known to reduce side effects of cancer treatments and improve the emotional and physical state of well-being.
Nutritional, pharmacologic and biologic practices: Nutritional practice includes special diets and supplements such as antioxidants and coenzymes. Biologic treatments for cancer use natural dietary supplements and herbal products in the form of special diets, vitamins and foods. Botanicals, hormones and vaccines are also used for treating cancer and the side effects caused due to associated treatments.
Energy medicine: Reiki, therapeutic touch and tai chi are a few examples of energy medicine. These practices are based on the belief that controlling the energy fields that the body has, can be used to treat diseases and other conditions.
