Getting Started: Questions, Answers, Definitions, & Some Advice....
Q: What do the following have in common?
Acupuncture~ aromatherapy~ Chinese medicine~ chiropractic~ creative expression
(art, dance, music, journaling, etc.)~ diet (vegetarianism, macrobiotics,
juicing, low fat, high fiber, omega 3, etc.)~ exercise (general aerobic,
Qi Gong, Tai Chi, yoga)~ guided imagery~ herbal & flower remedies~
homeopathy~ hypnotherapy~ laughter~ massage~ meditation~ naturopathy~
prayer & spiritualty~ psychotherapy (counseling and group support)~
Reiki~ relaxation~ reflexology~ teas (herbal, green & black)~ therapeutic
touch~ vitamins~ visualization
A: All may be classified as complementary therapies. And this list is
even not complete!
Q: What is the difference between complementary and alternative
therapies?
A: Complementary therapies are used by patients as an adjunct to mainstream
medical care. The goal of these therapies is usually to empower, boost
the immune system, provide symptom control, and enhance the quality of
life. Alternative therapies are used in place of mainstream medical care.
The goal of alternative therapies is usually to control or cure cancer
without the use of conventional (western) medicine. Complementary therapies
become alternative when used alone.
Q: Can you name some alternative or unconventional cancer therapies?
A: Antineoplastons, cartilage (shark & bovine), cat’s claw,
chelation, Coenzyme Q10, Coley Toxins, Essiac Tea, Gerson Therapy, Hoxey,
Hydrogen Peroxide, laetrile, mistletoe, Livingston-Wheeler, Revici’s
Lipid Therapy, 714X, etc. (Again, this list is not complete!)
Q: I’m confused. For the record–– which words
describing the various types of treatments can be used interchangeably?
A: Complementary and integrative are used interchangeably. Non-conventional,
and non-standard are words used for alternative treatments. Lastly, standard,
conventional, mainstream, traditional and western all mean the same thing
and refer to such therapies as radiation, surgery, chemotherapy, etc.....We’re
positive that in the future other names will come in to vogue to describe
all of these modalities.
Q: Is there ever a crossover between complementary and alternative
therapies?
A: The answer is a resounding, “Yes!” When cancer patients
who are receiving conventional treatment incorporate an alternative therapy
into their overall plan, it becomes a complementary therapy. Examples:
Breast cancer patients drink Essiac tea or use cat’s claw while
undergoing chemotherapy and/or radiation. Patients use bovine or shark
cartilage as supplements during standard therapy. Patients on the chemotherapy
drug adriamycin, take Coenzyme Q 10 because they believe it reduces cardiotoxicity.
Hyperthermia is being studied as part of conventional treatment for some
cancers.
Q: What does CAM mean?
A: It is the abbreviation for “Complementary and Alternative Medicine”.
Q: How do I decide which complementary and/or alternative (CAM)
therapies might work best for me?
A: A great place to start your research is at your hospital or clinic
resource center. Also, check out various resources on CAM therapies in
the library and on the world wide web. Be sure to talk with other survivors
who are using various CAM therapies. Listen and share information. And
finally, communicate with your health care team about your interests and
your plan.
Q: By the way, what is a biologic?
A: A biologic is a product that is made from living material (human, plant,
animal, or microorganism) and is used for the treatment, prevention or
cure of disease in humans. Biologics may be either conventional or non-conventional
cancer therapies.
Q: Why is it important to let my health care team know about
CAM therapies I am using?
A: Certain vitamins, botanicals, nutritional supplements or biologics
might effect standard treatments adversely–– or even cause
toxicity. When you let your health care team know which specific therapies
you are using, they can evaluate your “supplement intake against
known and potential adverse interactions with the cancer therapy protocol
being implemented.” As a result, they can provide “not only
the best conventional care, but also the best information and guidance
for patients who are using alternative and complementary therapies.”*
(*“Use of CAM Nutritional Therapies During Cancer Treatment”,
Kumar, Hopkins, Allen, et al, 8/2002.)
Complementary and Alternative
Medicine (CAM)
Do You Know?
Getting Started: Questions, Answers,
Definitions and Some Advice...
Caregivers Corner: Nurse and Reiki
Master, Pat Iyer, Is a Partner in Healing
Dr. David Rosenthal Speaks about the
Zakim Center for Integrated Therapies
Chun-Han Zhu: Portrait of a Chinese Doctor
Creative Arts Are Complementary Therapies
In Her Own Words––Survivor
Lynn Buckley Uses CAM Therapies
Diet & Cancer: Choosing Wisely to
Live Well
Credits & Info