Scribd
Upload
12 views3 pages

Why People Use Complementary or Cscientific Inst

Many people use complementary or alternative therapies to help manage cancer symptoms, reduce side effects, and feel more in control of their treatment. While some therapies like acupuncture show promise in alleviating certain symptoms, there is no scientific evidence that any can cure cancer. Patients often seek these therapies for emotional support, a sense of natural healing, and to maintain a positive outlook, despite potential risks and lack of proven efficacy.

Uploaded by

Romeo Balcita
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
12 views3 pages

Why People Use Complementary or Cscientific Inst

Many people use complementary or alternative therapies to help manage cancer symptoms, reduce side effects, and feel more in control of their treatment. While some therapies like acupuncture show promise in alleviating certain symptoms, there is no scientific evidence that any can cure cancer. Patients often seek these therapies for emotional support, a sense of natural healing, and to maintain a positive outlook, despite potential risks and lack of proven efficacy.

Uploaded by

Romeo Balcita
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 3

Why people use complementary or

alternative therapies
There are a number of reasons why people use complementary or alternative therapies. A paper
published in 2012 suggested that around half of people with cancer use some sort of complementary
therapy, at some time during their illness.

There is no evidence to suggest that any type of complementary therapy prevents or cures cancer.

For some therapies there is very little research evidence to show that they help with certain
symptoms. For example, pain or hot flushes. But there is research going on and we are starting to
collect evidence for some types of therapy.

1. Using therapies to help you feel better


2. Reducing symptoms or side effects
3. Feeling more in control
4. Natural and healing therapies
5. Comfort from touch, talk and time
6. Staying positive
7. Boosting your immune system
8. Looking for a cure
Using therapies to help you feel better
People often use complementary therapies to help them feel better. And cope with having cancer
and treatment. How you feel plays a part in how you cope.

Many complementary therapies concentrate on relaxation and reducing stress. They might help to:

 calm your emotions


 relieve anxiety
 increase your general sense of health and well being

Many doctors, cancer nurses and researchers are interested in the idea that positive emotions can
improve your health.

Reducing symptoms or side effects


There is growing evidence that certain complementary therapies can help to control some symptoms
of cancer. And treatment side effects.
For example, acupuncture can help to relieve sickness caused by some chemotherapy drugs. Or, it
can help relieve a sore mouth after having treatment for head and neck cancer.

Acupuncture can also help to relieve pain after surgery to remove lymph nodes in the neck.

 Find out more about acupuncture

Feeling more in control


Sometimes it might feel as though your doctor makes many of the decisions about your treatment. It
can feel like you don't have much control over what happens to you.

Many people say complementary therapy lets them take a more active role in their treatment and
recovery. This is in partnership with their therapist.

Natural and healing therapies


Many patients like the idea that complementary therapies seem natural and non toxic.

Some complementary therapies can help with specific symptoms or side effects. But we don't know
much about how they might interact with conventional treatments like cancer drugs or radiotherapy.

Some types of complementary or alternative medicine might make conventional treatment work less
well. And some might increase side effects.

Comfort from touch, talk and time


Some people might get a lot of comfort and satisfaction from the touch, talk and time that a
complementary therapist usually offers.

A good therapist can play a supportive role during cancer treatment and recovery. For example, a
skilled and caring aromatherapist can take the time to make you feel cared for. This might help
improve your quality of life.

Staying positive
Having a positive outlook is an important part of coping with cancer for most people. It is normal to
want and hope for a cure. Even if your doctor suggests that this might be difficult.

Some people use complementary therapies as a way to feel positive and hopeful for the future.

Boosting your immune system


There are claims that certain complementary therapies can boost their immune system and help
fight cancer. There is evidence that feeling good and reducing stress boosts the immune system. But
doctors don't know if this can help the body to control cancer.

There are clinical trials looking at how certain complementary therapies might affect the immune
system.

Looking for a cure


Some people believe that using specific alternative therapies instead of conventional cancer
treatment might help control or cure their cancer. There are also people who promote
alternative therapies in this way.

Using alternative therapy can become more important to people with advanced cancer if their
conventional treatment is no longer helping to control it. It is understandable that they hope that
alternative therapies might work.

But, there is no scientific evidence to prove that any type of alternative therapy can help to control or
cure cancer. Some alternative therapies might be unsafe and can cause harmful side effects.

You might also like