Complementary medicine is used in addition to conventional medicine. The combination of complementary medicine and conventional medicine is sometimes referred to as integrative medicine. Many complementary therapies can be safely used to manage side effects of conventional cancer treatment or improve a patient's physical or emotional well-being. Examples of complementary therapies include acupuncture, yoga, massage, art therapy, music therapy, and herbal and dietary supplements.

It is important for people with cancer to discuss the use of complementary therapies with their doctor before beginning use because the therapy may interfere with the conventional treatment. For instance, the herb kava can interfere with anesthesia for surgery, the herb echinacea may have immune-suppressing compounds, and some doctors believe that taking antioxidants may decrease the effectiveness of treatment.

Your oncologist may manage the use of the complementary therapy, or you may see a specific practitioner. Whenever possible, get referrals from your doctor or other health-care team members, or from the appropriate professional association, to find a practitioner of complementary medicine. Ask about licensing and credentials relevant to their specialization. To learn more about associations for practitioners in the specific areas of massage therapy, meditation and relaxation therapy, music therapy, or art therapy, review the Cancer.Net Feature: Complementary Medicine: Information for Patients.

Alternative therapies are those used in place of conventional treatments. An example of an alternative therapy is to go on a special diet to treat cancer instead of having surgery, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy.

Most doctors agree that some complementary therapies can help people with cancer. However, this is not the case with alternative therapies. There are serious risks to be considered when patients abandon proven medical therapies for unproven alternative therapies, which may lower the chance of recovery.

If you are considering using an alternative therapy, it is important to discuss this with your doctor before beginning use of alternative medicine. Some alternative therapies can actually be harmful to people with cancer. Although some alternative therapies may do no harm, very few have undergone rigorous scientific testing regarding safety or effectiveness. In addition, patients who use alternative therapies to treat cancer risk not receiving the most effective standard treatments.

More Information

Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Additional Resources

National Institutes of Health's National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM): A listing of CAM treatments that includes a review of the supportive evidence and possible risks of each.

Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: Searchable database on common herbs, therapies, vitamins and other products used in complementary medicine. Includes a review of scientific evidence on topic, including purported benefits, side effects, and treatment interactions.

Mayo Clinic: Overview and analysis of common complementary therapies, including nutritional and herbal treatments, chemical treatments, and detoxifying treatments.