Treatment | Complementary therapies
These FAQs have been answered by women who have tried complentary therapies along with conventional treatments for a gynecologic cancer. For more information, please visit our Web Resources section "Treatments and Tests."
What about all those "alternative" treatments
out there?
See also:
Answers from the Pros: What kinds of complementary
therapies are available to women with gynecologic cancers?
What about all those "alternative" treatments out there?
Cathy B., Ontario, Canada: For every standard medical treatment for cancer, I think there are about a hundred or so 'alternative' treatments claiming some success in curing cancer. Every few months, a new report comes along suggesting a possible success. Many of these reports are 'anecdotal' and have not been proven by clinical trial. I have tried many, many alternative treatments, including herbal extracts, diet changes, animal cartilage, teas etc. Also, in the same vein, is the opportunity to explore spiritual enlightenment and different dogmas. I approached all of these things like a 'smorgasboard' and tried a few, passed on a few and adopted a few.
It's been an interesting trip, but my advice is this:
- Do your research.
- Ask yourself: "Who is gaining if I use this product?"
- Will I do any harm?
- Talk to people who use the product, service or thinking.
- Hello...common sense, where are you???! In other words, make sure your brain and your heart are talking to each other.
This is a very interesting time in cancer research and treatment and there is so much hope on the horizon. Find yourself a really exceptional certified nutritional counselor for a start.
