Cancer and CAM

The number of cancer patients seeking or using Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) has been steadily increasing as traditional therapy has made few significant advances and has left many patients fearful and apprehensive about undergoing aggressive treatment. But the availability of evidence-based cancer CAM options, and the ambivalence of most physicians toward CAM, has also contributed to increased anxiety for the patient facing the uncertainty of cancer.
 
When looking at CAM and cancer, there are two distinct fields that might be investigated.
First, complementary therapies that are used in conjunction with traditional cancer treatment are aimed at facilitating optimum treatment outcomes with the fewest possible negative side effects. Treatments such as acupuncture, restorative yoga, and meditation are a few of the most widely accepted by the medical community as complementary practices known to positively affect the outcomes of patients undergoing cancer treatment.
 
Secondly, we venture into the more contentious area of supplements, herbal remedies, antioxidants and a multitude of unconventional practices.  For those who have faced a cancer diagnosis, there is nothing more hopeful than discovering a safe, effective alternative to conventional treatment. Unfortunately, this scenario does not exist in reality.
 
The truth is, we have no guarantees that any treatment will be completely effective and without adverse consequences. But when researching CAM options, and finding the leaders in the field of cancer CAM, one can gain invaluable information and uncover professional resources that will widen the scope of treatment options. In most cases, CAM for cancer will have the added benefit of restoring balance to the body and mind, thus promoting the immune system to enable the body to withstand the rigorous challenges of conventional treatment while maximizing the body’s ability to ward off disease.