Integrative Medicine combines conventional Western medicine with alternative or complementary treatments, such as yoga, massage, herbal supplements, acupuncture, etc.
Complementary therapies are used with conventional cancer treatments like surgery, radiation and chemotherapy.
Alternative therapies are used instead of standard cancer treatments.
The National Center for Complementary and Alternative (CAM) therapies at the National Institute of Health defines them as: “ a group of diverse medical and health care systems, practices, and products that are not considered part of conventional medicine.”
No CAM therapy should be used as a replacement for standard treatment for cancer. Surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and hormone therapy have proven to increase survival of cancer patients. CAM therapy alone can put a patient’s life at risk and has not been studied with the same scientific rigor as standard medicine. At present, CAM is recommended for improving quality of life, such as reducing nausea and anxiety, rather than for treatment of cancer.
ALWAYS DISCUSS COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES WITH YOUR PHYSICIAN BEFORE ENGAGING IN THEM TO TREAT CANCER AS SOME CAM THERAPIES CAN CAUSE SERIOUS DAMAGE.
The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine lists four major categories of complementary therapies:
- Mind-body interventions such as meditation, prayer and psychotherapy.
- Natural biological products including herbs, vitamins and dietary supplements.
- Body manipulation and movement which include chiropractic and massage.
- Using the body’s “energy field” to lessen symptoms and promote health such as acupuncture, Reiki massage, etc.
Mind Body Interventions
Psychotherapy, yoga, support groups, etc. should be specific to patients with cancer and conducted and/or approved by state-licensed professionals who have experience with cancer care.
Herbs, Vitamins and Botanicals
Herbal supplements and botanicals are not tested and approved by the FDA and the dietary supplements’ manufacturer does not have to prove the products’ safety. For the FDA to remove a dietary supplement from the market, it must first prove it unsafe. Supplement purity and quality are not standardized and may cause toxicity.
Standard cancer treatment such as chemotherapy and radiation may be compromised by herbs and botanicals. For instance, antioxidants can reduce the efficacy of radiation therapy and St John’s word can interfere with chemotherapy.
About Herbs, Botanicals and Other Products
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center provides information for oncologists and health care professionals on herbs, botanicals, vitamins, supplements, etc. Adverse effects, interactions, potential benefits and problems are discussed.
Herbs at a Glance is a fact sheet from the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicines which includes common names, uses, potential side effects and resources for additional information on herbs and botanicals.
Medline Plus is the National Institute of Health search-able database for comprehensive information on dietary and herbal supplements and drugs.
Body Manipulation and Movement
Chiropractors, massage therapists, etc. should be state licensed, and have formal training and years of specialized experience in treating cancer patients. Ask your doctor for a recommendation.
Body and Energy Field
Acupuncture, Reiki, qi gong and similar therapies should be discussed thoroughly with your doctor. While acupuncture may be effective in temporarily relieving some side effects, it may aggravate others.
Questions to Ask Your Doctor
The following are questions the Federal Trade Commission recommends you ask your doctor before trying a product or therapy which claims to cure or treat cancer:
•Is the product safe?
•Does it work and is there research to support it?
•What are the risks, benefits and side effects?
•WILL IT INTERFERE WITH MY CANCER TREATMENT PLAN?
•What else could reduce my discomfort or symptoms?
For more comprehensive information on CAM therapies, go to:
The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine offers a comprehensive view of CAM therapies. Call: 1-888-644-6226
The Federal Trade Commission discusses questions to ask your doctor, signs of a scam and ways to report bogus claims and advertising.
Reading available from Amazon.com:
Jacobs, Bradley P., MD, MPH, and Gundling, Katherine, MD.The American College of Physicians Evidenced-Based Guide to Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Philadelphia: American College of Surgeons, 2009. Comprehensive easy- to -read, well-researched textbook of CAM therapies.
