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May 15, 2006
Complementary and Alternative Medicine for Cancer Treatment
by SirGan
 Standard cancer treatments often have significant side effects and may not be 100 percent effective. That’s why people reach for some alternative solutions! Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is a group of diverse medical and health care systems, practices, and products that are not presently considered to be part of conventional medicine. Conventional medicine is medicine as practiced by medical doctors and other health professionals, such as physical therapists, psychologists, and registered nurses. Other terms for conventional medicine include:
Complementary and alternative therapies is not only used in cancer treatment. They are used to prevent illness, reduce stress, prevent or reduce side effects and symptoms, or control or cure disease. Some commonly used methods of complementary or alternative therapy include
Incidence of useSeveral studies have shown that the alternative and complementary medicine use, among the general public, increased from 33.8 percent in 1990 to 42.1 percent in 1997. However, some other researches have indicated that only 28.9 percent of U.S. adults (age 18 and over) had used at least one Complementary and alternative medicine therapy in the past year.
Complementary and alternative medicine approachAlthough many people don’t know about this, but it is a fact that the same rigorous scientific evaluation used to assess conventional approaches be used to evaluate Complementary and Alternative medicine therapies.
The fact is also that the conventional approaches to cancer treatment have generally been studied for safety and effectiveness through a rigorous scientific process that includes clinical trials with large numbers of patients. Truth is that of course- less is known about the safety and effectiveness of complementary and alternative methods.
Cancer patients using or considering complementary or alternative therapy should know that some complementary and alternative therapies may interfere with standard treatment or may be harmful when used with conventional treatment.
Complementary and alternative medicine for cancerAlmost everyone has heard about advertisements that claim a particular complementary and alternative medicine product or therapy will definitely cure a cancer. Patients shouldn’t believe in it! The fact is that complementary and alternative medicine can't cure cancer. Problem is that some people don’t use the alternative medicine to support the conventional but, in stead of that- they forgot conventional, proven cancer treatment and spend thousands of dollars trying questionable or ineffective therapy. Giving up on conventional cancer treatment that has been proved repeatedly in clinical trials to help people with cancer can be risky and even deadly.
Types of complementary and alternative treatmentsIn cancer treatment, there are several different complementary and alternative treatment approaches and the most commonly used are:
Nutrition and herbsNutritional therapy and herbal therapy are often presented as 100% natural, which might sound appealing, but- in most cases nether are these products natural, nor safe.
Antioxidant supplementsMost people don’t know but these - antioxidants occur naturally in many foods, including fruits, vegetables, nuts, grains and some meats. Although, some studies done in the past have reported that antioxidants may slow cancer growth- there is no real proof that this. Problem is that, most of the experts don’t recommend the usage of these antioxidants along with conventional therapy because they might interfere with cancer treatment, such as chemotherapy, and could be dangerous. One study showed that smokers who used antioxidant supplements had a higher risk of lung cancer than the others.
Alkaline dietMost people believe that a diet rich in certain alkaline foods, meaning foods that aren't acidic, could cure cancer. They believe in this because foods such as soft drinks and meats make body acidic, allowing cancer to flourish. They suggest eating mainly alkaline foods, such as fruits and vegetables, and restricting acidic foods. There are no proofs that this really works!
EssiacEssiac is an herbal tea mixture that has been used for many years to relieve pain and reduce the size of tumors. The original formula contained four herbs:
Although some tests have shown that chemicals in the herbs used in Essiac have some antioxidant, anti-inflammatory or anti-cancer activity, Essiac hasn't been proved to have any effect on cancer.
Laetrile (amygdalin)Most people don’t know that Laetrile is a nothing more then purified form of amygdalin, a chemical found in lima beans, raw nuts and the pits of many fruits. Amygdalin produces cyanide, and proponents of this treatment claim this substance kills cancer. Not only that it hasn't been proved to work against cancer, but it has even caused several deaths.
Macrobiotic dietThe macrobiotic diet is strictly vegetarian diet that is marketed for both prevention and treatment of cancer, though no proof exists that it does either. Eating plenty of vegetables can reduce your risk of cancer, but how it could stop cancer- it isn't known!
Megavitamin treatmentsMegavitamin treatments usually is based on high doses of vitamins A, C and E. This sometimes requires taking hundreds of pills a day. Problem is if you already eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, you probably get enough of these vitamins without taking supplements. This can cause hypervitaminosis- very serious condition that can cause even death!
MistletoeMistletoe extracts have been shown to kill some cancer cells in laboratory and it is applied in a form of injections that are given two to three times a week. Studies in people have had mixed results.
Detoxifying treatmentsProponents of this complementary and alternative medicine treatment believe that detoxification treatments clears a body of harmful substances and stimulate immune system to attack the cancer in body. Problem is that, because cancer cells seem to hide from normal immune systems, stimulating immune system won't help body fight off your cancer.
Colon therapyColon therapy is based on removal of waste from a patient colon through a process in which a plastic tube is inserted through patient’s rectum and into colon. Up to 20 gallons of liquid, usually water, herbal solutions or coffee, is pumped into your large intestine.
Gerson therapyThe Gerson therapy uses minerals, enzymes and hormones to cleanse body. Every patient should consume about 13 glasses of organic fruit and vegetable juice every day.
Gonzalez treatmentWhat is the most important thing about this Gonzalez treatment? It incorporates special diets, supplements, pancreatic enzymes and coffee enemas to treat cancer.
Chemical and animal-based treatmentsCoenzyme Q10People that support this treatment believe that people with cancer and other conditions have lower levels of coenzyme Q10, though no evidence of this exists. Although, when you take coenzyme Q10, either as an injection or a pill, it may act as an antioxidant and stimulate your immune system, but, definitely - no studies have shown that coenzyme Q10 has any effect on cancer.
Shark cartilageProponents believe that shark cartilage stops a tumor's growth by preventing it from growing new blood vessels.
Complementary and alternative medicine for relieving symptoms of cancerGood thing is when people do not believe that the complementary and alternative medicine will cure their cancer, but, just want to relieve their symptoms. This approach can be very effective!
In general, these treatments aren't invasive, which makes them safer than other complementary and alternative medicine treatments.
AcupunctureMain thing about this treatment is that these tiny needles are inserted into skin to stimulate body's natural energy. It is proven that acupuncture has been effective in treating pain and nausea in some people with cancer.
AromatherapyIt is about using some fragrant oils from plants in order to affect your mood. About 40 oils are commonly used in aromatherapy. Most people are convinced that it helps pain, depression and stress, and promote a general sense of well-being.
HypnotherapyThis relaxation method effectively relieves some chronic pain, and it may also reduce nausea and vomiting in people with cancer.
Massage therapyIt has been used to relieve muscle tension and stress and promote relaxation. Certain types of massage and spinal manipulation can also be unsafe if the bones in your back or neck have been weakened by cancer. Therefore, you should first discuss it with your health practitioner!
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