Should I consider alternative treatments for cancer?

Should I consider alternative treatments for cancer?

If you have cancer and are interested in herbs, acupuncture, or other alternative treatments, talk to your doctor. Think twice before declining conventional treatments. But if you do decline recommended treatment, make sure you understand the pros and cons of doing so, including the possibility of shorter survival.

What is a “complementary” cancer treatment?

Compared with those who received only conventional cancer treatments (including surgery, radiation treatment, chemotherapy, and/or hormone therapy), those who chose a “complementary” cancer treatment (such as herbs or acupuncture) along with at least one conventional cancer treatment:

How long can you live with unproven cancer treatments?

For example, chemotherapy was refused by 34% of those choosing unproven remedies, but by only 3% of the conventional treatment-only group. did not live as long. The five-year survival was 82% in the unproven treatment group, and 87% in the conventional treatment group.

What is new research in cancer treatment?

The new research in cancer treatment is to find a way to target cancer stem cells which are the cells that drive the cancer growth. Chemotherapy up to date has only had success in killing the non-stem cell cancer cells. These are the cancer cells that grow from the core stem cancer cells.

Are unproven cancer treatments worth the risk?

A new study suggests that there is danger in relying on unproven treatments over those that have been well-tested. Researchers analyzed data from nearly two million patients with cancer treated at accredited medical centers throughout the US.

What is the best alternative medicine for chronic disease?

Acupuncture. Herbs. Tai chi, yoga, and other mind-body therapies. Vitamins, herbs, and other nutritional therapies. Talk to your doctor before you start any kind of complementary or alternative medicine, even for managing side effects from standard treatment.