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Complementary Therapies And Alternate Medicine
The Cancer Program staff is committed to care that is patient-centered and
compassionate. We feel that it is important to treat each patient as a “whole”
person with physical, emotional, psychological, social and spiritual needs.
Some patients have an interest in the use of complementary therapies or
alternative medicine (CAM). Our staff realizes that you may place great
confidence in these treatments. It is hoped that you will feel that you can
speak openly and frankly with us about any complementary therapies or
alternative medicines that you are using or thinking about trying; your choices
will not affect the care you receive.
What is complementary and alternative medicine?
CAM a group of diverse health care systems, practices, and products that is not
thought of as conventional or standard of care. Conventional medical care is
based on scientific evidence. For cancer patients this care includes surgery,
chemotherapy, radiation and biological therapy. There is scientific evidence
about the use of some CAM therapies in conventional medicine but for most of
these treatments there are key questions that are yet to be answered.
Well-designed scientific studies--questions such as whether these therapies are
safe and whether they work for the diseases or medical conditions for which
they are used, will provide more knowledge about safe and effective CAM.
Are complementary medicine and alternative medicine different from each other?
Yes, they are different.
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Complementary medicine is used together with
conventional medicine. An example of a complementary therapy is using
aromatherapy to help lessen a patient's discomfort following surgery.
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Alternative medicine is used instead of conventional medicine. An
example of an alternative therapy is using a special diet to treat cancer
instead of surgery, radiation therapy or chemotherapy.
What are the major types of complementary and alternative medicine?
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Biologically Based Therapies
Biologically based therapies uses things found in nature. This includes herbs,
foods, special diets and vitamins. Some examples include high dose vitamin
pills, dietary supplements and herbal products.
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There have been cases of dangerous interactions between some herbal products
and conventional cancer treatments, including chemotherapy and radiation
therapy.
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We advise you to discuss the use of any biologically based therapies with your
oncologist when you are receiving radiation or chemotherapy.
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We advise you that your PICC line or other venous access route used for
chemotherapy should only be used for the administration of drugs and
medications prescribed by your oncologist. This is for safety concerns.
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Alternative Medical Systems
Examples of alternative medical systems include homeopathic medicine and
naturopathic medicine, traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurveda.
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There may be some serious adverse reactions with conventional cancer
treatments, including chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
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We advise that if you are getting radiation or chemotherapy you do not use any
medicine from an alternative medical system including those taken by mouth,
applied on the body or in the body until you have discussed it with your
oncologist.
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Mind-Body Interventions
Mind-body medicine uses a variety of techniques designed to enhance the mind's
capacity to affect bodily function and symptoms. Mind – body interventions
include support groups, cognitive-behavioral therapy, hypnosis, meditation,
prayer, mental healing and therapies that use creative outlets such as art,
music, or dance.
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Most health care providers support the use of mind-body interventions, as they
do not interact adversely with conventional cancer treatments including
chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
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Manipulative and Body-Based Methods
Manipulative and body-based methods in CAM are based on manipulation and/or
movement of one or more parts of the body; some examples include chiropractic
or osteopathic manipulation, reflexology and massage.
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We advise you to discuss the use of manipulative and body based methods with
your oncologist.
- We advise that a qualified licensed practitioner provide these
services, as caution should be taken especially if you have metastatic disease
or lymphedema.
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Energy
Therapies An energy therapy involves the belief that the body has energy fields
that can be used for healing and wellness. They are of two types:
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Biofield therapies are intended to affect energy fields that thought to
surround and penetrate the human body. The existence of such fields has not yet
been scientifically proven. Some forms of energy therapy manipulate biofields
by applying pressure and/or manipulating the body by placing the hands in, or
through, these fields. Examples include Gi Gong, Reiki and Therapeutic Touch.
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Bioelectromagnetic-based therapies involve the unconventional use of
electromagnetic, such as pulsed fields, magnetic fields, or alternating-current
or direct-current fields.
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We advise you to discuss the use of energy therapy with your oncologist.
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We advise that a qualified licensed practitioner provide these services, as
caution should be taken especially if you have metastatic disease or
lymphedema.
Notes
Conventional medicine is medicine as practiced by holders of M.D. (medical
doctor) degrees and by allied health professionals, such as physical therapists
and registered nurses. Other terms for conventional medicine include standard,
allopathy; Western, mainstream, orthodox, regular medicine and biomedicine.
Some conventional medical practitioners are also practitioners of CAM. Other
terms for complementary and alternative medicine include unconventional,
non-conventional, unproven, and irregular medicine / health care.
Resources that may be of help
www.cancercare.on.ca
www.bccancer.bc.ca
www.camline.org
www.hc-sc.gc.ca
www.canadian-health-network.ca
www.nccam.nih.gov
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