Abstract: |
Complementary therapies are increasingly sought by cancer patients to control treatment-related symptoms. Unproven methods that do not actually treat cancer are often promoted falsely as cancer cures. These are termed “alternative therapies.” Typically expensive and potentially harmful, they can interact with chemotherapy drugs and other medication. Complementary therapies such as music, massage, acupuncture and meditation are noninvasive, gentle techniques applied to control physical and emotional symptoms commonly experienced by cancer patients. These therapies are used as adjuncts to mainstream cancer treatment. Patients and physicians should be aware of the distinction between questionable methods that are not helpful, and complementary therapies that successfully reduce symptoms and enhance quality of life. Easy access to information and misinformation about these therapies via the Internet and print media compounds this problem. © 2007 by World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd. |