According to the American Cancer Society the use of 'unconventional' therapies for cancer is fast becoming conventional with an estimate of 50% of those who have been diagnosed with cancer using some kind of complementary or alternative cancer treatment. Conventional treatments are surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. Complementary treatments are used in conjunction with mainstream medicine while alternative treatments are used instead of conventional medical care and remain unproven. Complementary treatments have been shown to alleviate or assist in dealing with the symptoms of the cancer or the side effects inherent in the use of cancer treatments.
It is wise to be wary of claims made by promoters of alternative treatments or the alternative cancer treatment centers that are springing up all over the world. The Breast Care Site gives key questions to ask about how to sort the help from the hype when it comes to complementary or alternative therapies.
- Who is promoting the therapy? Do recognized experts affiliated with major universities or mainstream health organizations support the treatment?
- How strong is the evidence that the therapy works?
- Has it been studied in well-controlled research published by respected medical journals?
- What are the expected benefits of the treatments?
- What are the possible risks and/or side effects?
- Will the treatment or therapy interfere with conventional medical treatment?
- How much will the treatments or therapies cost? Will health insurance cover the costs?
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