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Alternative Treatment and Complementary Medicine

Some people believe there are other ways to treat prostate cancer and its effects

People may try other methods either instead of, (alternative) or in addition to (complementary) conventional medicine.

Alternative or Complementary medicines have not been through the rigorous testing and approval procedures required for conventional treatments.

This does not necessarily mean they do or don’t work, only that you take them at your own risk.

Complementary and Alternative Medicines (CAM) can include natural medicines and supplements, therapies using the influence of the mind on health, massage and other physical therapies, or whole medical systems such as the Chinese and Indian systems or those practiced by Native Americans.

Many prostate cancer patients adopt a cancer-fighting diet, high in foods like soy and tomatoes, low in dairy and animal fats, and with appropriate doses of dietary supplements. While this is a form of complementary medicine, the overall health benefits of a high fruit, vegetable and antioxidant and low fat diet are well established.

Many claims are made about the benefits of CAM. Make sure you evaluate claims carefully. With the help of your doctor, you can find information such as well conducted research showing clear benefits from treatment. At the very least, make sure the treatment won’t hurt you.

The FDA does not regulate food supplements the way they regulate drugs, so try to find research about the substances, how they work, and what doses are recommended.

Some substances or methods are being tested in clinical trials. You may be able to participate in a research study.

If considering treatment as an alternative to approved methods, be very aware of the risks you are taking by not getting traditional treatment.

If considering treatment that is complementary to approved methods, make sure to check with your doctor before starting. Additional treatment, no matter how minor, may interact with other drugs or have an effect on how your other treatment works.

For more information about Complementary and Alternative Medicines, please visit the following websites:

• National Cancer Institute (NIH): The Office of Cancer Complementary and Alternative Medicine (OCCAM)
• Cancer Facts: Complementary and Alternative Medicine
• The National Institutes of Health (NIH): National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM)