Alternative and Complementary Methods in Cancer Treatment, Palliation, and Prevention

Abstract

Cancer is the leading cause of death in the United States with lung, colon, breast and prostate cancer being the most common cancers in both whites and blacks. Conventional treatments of surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy often produce serious adverse effects. It’s not surprising then that studies show that about 50% or more of patients with cancer use some form of alternative therapy [1–4]. About 60% of those using unconventional treatments used some form of psychological or spiritual therapy. Fifty percents use various vitamins and nutrients. Half of the patients use herbals. There are probably many more who use alternative and complementary methods to reduce the risk of cancer. There have been no specific studies of the use of alternative methods by the elderly.