Alternative and Complimentary treatments
Tim Jackson
Alternative versus Complementary
Alternative medicine in this context means treatments which are proposed as an alternative to the recognised therapies for breast cancer. Complimentary medicine is treatment proposed in addition to conventional therapy. Complementary therapies are often provided alongside conventional therapies in cancer centres.
Complimentary medicine
These may be designed to support therapy by making the patient healthier or feel better, or by addressing some deficiency resulting from the illness. Some complementary medicines, e.g. acupuncture, is supported by the mainstream medical community. It is important that any complementary therapy should not interfere with the primary treatment, and it is a good idea to tell the oncologist what is planned and obtain his approval.
Many therapies (eg relaxation therapy, massage, aromtherapy) impart a feeling of wellbeing, and thus improve quality of life regardless of any medical benefit.
Alternative Medicine
Treatments are advertised which claim to be able to cure or prevent cancer. Despite these claims, if there were a reliable cure for any cancer among them, it would not be hiding among the small ads. They often claim that their product is being suppressed by the establishment, drug companies or government. If there were a drug that could cure cancer you can be sure that the drug companies would be falling over each other to make a profit out of it, not trying to supress it. Drug companies generally see someone else's patented drug as starting point for research to find a better, patentable, product.
When considering alternative medicines a large dose of common sense is required. There may be benefit in some treatments, and the sellers may genuinely believe in their product's efficacy, but for every genuine one there are at least ten charlatans. If an advertisment claims to cure cancer or attacks conventional therapy, it is probably not soundly based. It is true that conventional treatments are damaging, disfiguring and unpleasant. However they have been scientifically proven to reliably drastically reduce the death rate from breast cancer.
Alternative treatmenst they have not undergone the rigorous testing required of approved treatments, for efficacy, for side effects, for effect on different age groups, for toxicity, and there is no regulation of the quality of the products, or else they have failed such tests, eg Laetrile and Shark Cartilage.
Some therapies claim to enhance the immune system. There is no evidence that enhancing the immune system improves recovery from or survival of cancer, the immune system does not generally attack cancer cells as they are part of your own body. In fact drugs like Herceptin work by marking the cancer cells so that the immune system does attack them. If the immune system is depressed, e.g. from chemotherapy, then improving it can help avoid infections. However treatments must be carefully chosen so as not to interfere with the action of the chemotherapy drugs.
Many cancer patients change their diets or take supplements such as vitamins. While a healthy diet is thought to help avoid getting cancer, there no evidence that changes in diet can help cure it. It is important to stay healthy and strong, so slimming diets should be avoided. The cancer patient has enough problems already and may not feel much like eating, or may have difficulty with some foods, so the addition of dietary discipline is the last thing they need.
A Personal Story |
Carolyn Herring |
When I was dx with mets to the bones 3 years ago I frantically looked everywhere for help, including going to the clinic in Mexico and checking it out. I was told by them that I would have a 40% chance of living 5 years if I went there...It costs $15,000 to start with and you stay there 2 weeks I think, then you go home and buy medication for 300$ a mo. and go back to the clinic in 6 mo ( for another few $$ I am sure) Everyone was walking around with an IV and a lot of smiles , I talked to a few who said they were really revived...My "chances" are about the same without their care...I am beginning my 4th year. It was interesting to see the place anyway, very antiquated
medical equipment,, vegetarian fare, religious meetings several times a day. When I went to my Oncologist to get my medical records and tell him where I was going he said " What?! most people don't go to Mexico until they have come to the end!"...I think they pump you full of vitamins etc. and it gives you a boost for awhile and makes some feel better than they have in a long time.