What CAM is
Among the many choices in cancer treatment is complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) — medical products and therapies that aren't part of standard care. CAM for cancer aims to care for mind, body and spirit.
- Some methods use breathing or body movement to help you relax.
- Others use special foods, supplements or diets.
- Examples include acupuncture, chiropractic and herbal medicines.
Using CAM alongside standard care is called integrative medicine.
What's known
CAM claims can sound promising, but for many methods, researchers don't yet know how safe they are or how well they work; studies are under way. Some, such as acupuncture, may help with nausea, pain and other side effects of treatment.
Why people use it
- to cope with side effects of cancer treatment;
- to ease worry and stress about treatment;
- to feel they're doing more to help their care.
Cautions
- CAM doesn't work for everyone.
- Some products can interact with your other medicines.
- Tell your health care provider about everything you use, so they can make sure it all works well together.
Sources
Based on the MedlinePlus health topic "Cancer Alternative Therapies," National Library of Medicine, drawing on the National Cancer Institute; a work of the United States government in the public domain.
Licence: CC0 1.0 (public domain) · Adapted from medlineplus.gov
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