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Complementary and Alternative Medicine (Integrative Care)
Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM), also called integrative care, includes a range of therapies that can help alleviate side effects of breast cancer treatment and improve quality of life. Many people use CAM therapies along with conventional medical treatment, and the combination is sometimes called integrative medicine or integrative care. Examples of CAM therapies are acupuncture, herbs and vitamins, meditation and visualization, touch therapies like massage and Reiki, and more. It is essential to discuss any use of CAM therapies with your medical team.
There are a wide variety of complementary and alternative medicine resources in this section, including integrative care programs, and wellness resources such as massage, yoga, exercise, nutrition, and more.
Use the Search Tool below to find complementary and alternative medicine resources in your area.
Finding a Good CAM Practitioner
Once you have decided to try a CAM therapy, finding the right practitioner is important. Look for:- Training and licensure-Did they take legitimate course work? How many hours? Accredited program? If they need a license, do they have one?
- Experience with the condition-Are they comfortable working with patients with cancer? Beware of anyone who promises a cure-even conventional medicine can't do that. Remember the adage "if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is."
- Risks associated with treatment-Nothing is risk free, though many CAM therapies are quite safe.
- Costs/reimbursement-Don't overlook this one-many CAM therapies aren't covered by insurance. Don't go for a "pay up front" type of program-what if you get better after just a few treatments but have already paid for 25 more?
- Time frame/progress assessment-Ask what a fair time frame would be to expect improvement in symptoms and how your progress will be assessed.
- Ability to work with conventional physicians-Beware of anyone who talks of conventional medicine as 100% harmful-certainly it has its risks, but it has benefits, too-not recognizing that is as short sighted as not recognizing benefits of CAM. Would this practitioner be willing to send periodic updates to your doctors?
Getting the Most Out of CAM Treatment
To get the most out of your visit to a CAM provider:- Identify the chief symptom(s) to be treated, expectations, and goals.
- Keep a symptom diary to improve objectivity.
- Reassess at a predetermined time.
- Continue to discuss with your conventional providers (physicians, etc.)
CAM therapies for patients with cancer to strongly consider:
- Certain supplements and diets (discuss with herbalist/pharmacist or nutritionist)
- Acupuncture for nausea, pain, and hot flashes
- Massage for anxiety, pain, lymphedema, and post-operative wound healing
- Mind-body therapies for depression/anxiety, grief, relaxation, pain, and nausea
- Exercise for sleep, mood, fatigue, and pain control
CAM therapies with much higher risk of harm than any proof of benefit:
- Colonic hydrotherapy (repeated high-volume colonic enemas)
- Chelation therapy
- Ionic foot baths
- IV therapies with non-approved supplements/medicines
- Certain supplements and diets (again, discuss with an expert!)