Why use them?

Monday 2 February, 2009

Reviewed: A/P Michael Jefford,Consultant Medical Oncologist, Peter Mac; Dr Raymond Snyder, Director of Oncology, St Vincent's Hospital; Beth Wilson, Health Services Commissioner, Victoria; Dr Amanda Hordern, Director, Cancer Information and Support Service. Developed with funding from the Victorian Department of Human Services. 

On this page: To improve sense of well being ι A health professional has recommended ι Belief conventional treatment won't help ι To feel more in control ι Idea of treating the ‘whole person' ι To control side effects ι Comforted by a therapist ι The belief a therapy is ‘natural and healing' ι Maintain a feeling of hope ι To ‘boost the immune system' ι The belief it will cure cancer ι Making an informed decision

In the past decade the use of complementary and alternative therapies has increased considerably in Australia and other countries. Australian studies have found between 22 and 52 out of every 100 people with cancer use one or more complementary therapies. In the US, figures have been as high as 91 out of every 100 people.

The large differences in figures are mainly due to the fact that most studies do not distinguish between complementary therapies and alternative therapies - so a very common practice like taking a multivitamin might pad out the statistics. Figures also vary depending on whether or not ‘prayer' and ‘support groups' are included in the statistics.

Even without any scientific evidence to prove that these therapies help, many people with cancer still turn to them. Scientific evidence is not all that matters for someone facing a serious illness such as cancer.

Feeling in control of your situation and believing a therapy will help you to feel better are valid reasons for deciding to use a complementary cancer therapy.

The most commonly used therapies are complementary therapies, which include:

  • support groups
  • chiropractic techniques
  • relaxation techniques such as meditation and deep breathing
  • massage
  • exercise.

Generally, it is safe to use one of these complementary therapies along with conventional cancer treatment. Later, we discuss alternative therapies, which can be extremely unsafe.

Some people use prayer to help them cope with cancer. Cancer Council does not consider prayer to be a complementary therapy.

People choose to use complementary and alternative cancer therapies for different reasons. 

To improve sense of well being

Many people with cancer say using certain therapies makes them feel better and more able to cope with their situation. Something like a massage might significantly improve a person's mood. How you feel can play a very important part in how well you cope with your cancer and its treatment. But just because a therapy makes you feel good doesn't mean it has had any effect on actually treating your cancer.

‘After my chemotherapy treatment, I often feel so sick, tired and down in the dumps for a few days. But after a massage I feel relaxed, alive and better able to cope - it's amazing.' - Lyn, age 55

Many complementary therapies focus on relaxation and improving your ability to cope with stress and anxiety. The idea that certain complementary therapies can have an effect on your emotions has become an area of interest for health professionals. Several studies are underway in the US looking at how positive emotions may benefit your health.

A health professional has recommended a therapy

Many health professionals working in the cancer area are aware that certain complementary therapies may provide the support and care you need to relax and cope with your cancer and its treatment. They may suggest support groups, counselling, acupuncture, meditation, yoga or massage.

They believe conventional treatment won't help

Some people believe conventional cancer treatment won't help. They think the available treatments and their side effects are too severe. They are not convinced about the value of having a treatment that can often make you feel worse for a short while.

While many conventional cancer treatments can have quite harsh side effects, they have been thoroughly tested in clinical trials to prove they will help control, treat or cure your cancer. The side effects are usually short-lived and stop once treatment is over.

With conventional cancer treatments, it may be weeks or months before you see or feel their benefits.

To feel more in control

People who go through conventional cancer treatment often say they feel out of control of their situation. It can sometimes feel like everyone else is making decisions about your treatment and care. You may feel very vulnerable, frightened and not sure how to control what is happening to you. Many people say choosing which therapy they use and when gives them a sense of taking more control of their treatment and care.

‘For me, exploring complementary therapies was about participating in my treatment. When you are faced with a cancer diagnosis you are very quickly plunged into a world that is very foreign and out of your control. I wanted to explore what I could do that would help give me, and the treatment I was going to be having, the best possible chance. Being involved in my treatment helped me to regain a sense of control.' - Megan, age 45

They like the idea of treating the 'whole person'

Many complementary therapies and alternative therapies are said to ‘be treating the whole person'. You may hear this called ‘holistic medicine'.

Holistic medicine understandably appeals to many people because it includes taking care of your emotional and spiritual needs. However, care for the whole person must include effective treatment to get rid of the cancer itself. Although research is ongoing, at present there is no scientifically proven cure for cancer outside conventional cancer treatments.

Medical people working in cancer centres are also concerned about the ‘whole person'. Their aim is to cure or control the cancer and give you the best quality of life. Unfortunately, some doctors don't have the time they would like to spend with their patients. But most cancer units or centres offer a wide range of support services (see the Help and support section).

In some countries, cancer centres employ complementary therapists who offer their services to people with cancer and their carers (sometimes for free). Although not common in Australia yet, many health professionals will be able to provide you with information about how to access certain therapies you may have an interest in.

To control side effects

Certain complementary therapies have been shown to help control side effects of cancer and its treatment. For example, acupuncture may help control sickness caused by chemotherapy. There is also evidence it can help pain, especially after surgery. Research has also shown that music therapy used alongside anti-sickness drugs may be of benefit to some patients having high-dose chemotherapy, to help control nausea and vomiting. While these treatments may help control certain side effects, there is no scientific proof to show they can control or cure your cancer. 

They feel comforted by their therapist

Many people who see complementary therapists say they enjoy the time their therapist takes to care for and talk to them. The ‘touch, talk and time' you may receive from a therapist can help to improve your emotional quality of life. Unfortunately, many cancer doctors don't have the time they would like to spend talking and finding out about their patients' emotional needs.

They believe a therapy is ‘natural and healing'

Many people are attracted to the idea that a therapy is natural, non-toxic and healing. Or, the therapy or therapist aims to treat your ‘whole person' and not just the cancer (holistic health care).

Many complementary therapies are ‘natural' but this doesn't always mean non-toxic or safe. Some therapies can be harmful. For example, some herb extracts may be poisonous or interact badly with other drugs. See the section titled ‘Are all therapies safe to use?'

Using the therapy helps to maintain a feeling of hope

Staying positive and hopeful is important for many people with cancer and their families and carers. Like most things in life, if you feel hopeful you are likely to cope better. People with advanced cancer often find ways to be hopeful: for treatment to slow the growth of the cancer, for good days with family and friends. A balance between hope and realism is important.

They want to ‘boost their immune system'

You may see certain therapies promoted as being able to ‘boost your immune system'. For people having cancer treatment it may be appealing to use something to ‘boost your immune system' and help fight the cancer. We need the evidence before we can know if this approach is possible and effective in treating a cancer. Clinical trials are looking into this.

They believe it will cure their cancer

Often the people most likely to use other types of therapies are those suffering painful and debilitating symptoms or people trying to come to terms with an incurable cancer. Understandably, people can feel desperate when they learn conventional cancer treatment can no longer help cure their cancer. Although there should always be help to control your symptoms and possibly your cancer, for some people this often isn't comforting enough. In this situation it is only natural to look for other treatments that may help you feel better or offer hope of a cure.

Some people believe or can be led to believe certain alternative therapies will help control or cure their cancer. Only a small percentage of people (about 1% to 2 %) with cancer forgo conventional cancer treatment to follow this belief. However, it is still important to be aware there is no scientific evidence to prove any complementary or alternative cancer treatment can control or cure any type of cancer.

Making an informed decision

Feeling hopeful and staying in control of your situation is extremely important if you or someone close to you is living with cancer. We definitely don't aim or want to destroy these hopes or feelings. However, while there are grounds for some of the reasons listed above, others are not scientifically proven. It is important to find out as much as you can about a therapy before using it. Weigh up its possible advantages and disadvantages. Be sure to base your decision on what is best for you. Pinning all hope on an alternative therapy may lead to unnecessary expense and unhappiness, especially when there are conventional cancer treatments that may be able to control or cure your cancer.

‘I see complementary therapies as just that - "complementary". Working with other treatments toward better outcomes. It was important for me to be involved in my treatment and to do everything I could.' - Jim, age 63

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