Colon Cancer Alternative Treatment

Colon cancer alternative treatment can consist of several different therapies used in addition to, or in place of, traditional cancer treatment. There are five categories of complementary and alternative treatment: mind-body medicines, biologically based practices, manipulative and body-based practices, energy medicine, and whole medical systems. If you decide to use any form of colon cancer alternative treatment, be sure to discuss it with your doctor first to make sure it won't interfere with the cancer treatment you are already receiving.

 

Colon Cancer Alternative Treatment: An Introduction

You have many choices to make before, during, and after your colon cancer treatment. One option you may be thinking about is complementary and alternative medicine.
 
There are a number of reasons why people consider complementary and colon cancer alternative treatment, including to:
 
  • Help cope with the side effects of cancer treatments, such as nausea, pain, and fatigue
  • Comfort themselves and ease the worries of cancer treatment and related stress
  • Feel that they are doing something more to help with their own care
  • Try to treat or cure their cancer.
     

Colon Cancer Alternative Treatment Defined

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is any medical system, practice, or product that is not thought of as standard care. Standard medical care is care that is based on scientific evidence. For cancer, it includes chemotherapy, radiation, biological therapy, and surgery.
 
Complementary medicine is used along with standard medical treatments. One example is using acupuncture to help with side effects of cancer treatment.
 
Alternative medicine is used in place of standard medical treatments. One example is using a special diet to treat cancer instead of a method that a cancer specialist (an oncologist) suggests.
 
Integrative medicine is a total approach to care that involves the patient's mind, body, and spirit. It combines standard medicine with the complementary and alternative medicine practices that have shown the most promise.
 
For example, some people learn to use relaxation as a way to reduce stress during chemotherapy.
 
For this article, we will be using the phrase colon cancer alternative treatment to include alternative, complementary, and integrative medicine.
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
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