The Spring 2007 issue of CURE Magazine contains an informative article about the use of alternative, complementary, and integrative treatments for cancer. “Alternative” therapy is defined as unproven or disproven treatments used instead of proven r standard therapies. “Complementary” therapies are those used in addition to standard therapies to help reduce side effects and improve the patient’s quality of life. “Integrative” therapies describe the use of complementary therapies used in conjunction with standard treatment. Examples of complementary and integrative therapies include meditation, nutrition, herbs, acupuncture, and yoga.
The article lists some helpful web sites that provide information about such therapies. The Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center provides information on the latest research on integrative therapies at www.mskcc.org. The American Cancer Society’s website, www.cancer.org, provides definitions of related terms as well as information about some therapeutic approaches. M.D. Anderson Cancer Center’s website, www.mdanderson.org, provides safety information about some integrative therapies. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine nccam.nih.gov, provides comprehensive consumer information about related therapies, including clinical trials.
To read the full article appearing in CURE Magazine, go to www.curetoday.com. �
