Complementary treatments for breast cancer

One person in 10 in the UK has used some form of complementary therapy to address a concern with their health. In the US the figures are even higher: when extra-strength vitamins and healing prayer are included, the number there rises to more than six out of 10. Is it possible that some form of complementary treatment can be beneficial in the treatment of breast cancer? For example what about acupuncture or t’ai chi? Can they add anything as a supplement to standard medical care?

Why would someone consider complementary treatment for breast cancer?

Most women diagnosed with breast cancer want to do everything they can to regain their health. As part of that, they may try one or more complementary treatment approaches to complement their doctor's care.

Research suggests some complementary treatment can help some women lessen the side effects of radiotherapy and chemotherapy. For instance, in a 2006 double blind, randomised study of 120 patients, published in the Annals of Oncology, concluded that while Chinese herbal medicine "does not reduce the haematologic toxicity associated with chemotherapy" – it "however, does have a significant impact on control of nausea." Some use it to help reduce the stress of treatment. Complementary treatment also helps women with breast cancer feel empowered. That way they can practise positive self-care rather than relying solely on doctors for their health and wellbeing.

What are complementary and alternative treatments?

The type of treatment you receive for a medical problem typically fits into one of two categories:

• Standard care is also called ‘traditional’ or ‘conventional’ care. It refers to typical Western medical care. For breast cancer that would include chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery.
• Complementary treatment (often referred to as alternative therapy) refers to any type of care that you use along with standard care.

Many complementary and alternative treatments have been used worldwide for centuries. However most of these treatments have not gone through the rigorous testing that's part of Western medicine's research process. Many complementary treatments may hold great value. But there is a lack of conclusive research regarding their risks, benefits and side effects. And the same is true about how they might interact with standard care.

But research into complementary treatment is flourishing. That means you can expect to see complementary therapies becoming part of a doctor's arsenal of treatment options. As that happens, more and more doctors will recommend them to patients. A survey of UK doctors by Sheffield University in 2001 found 49% of practices offered patients access to some type of complementary therapy, and a third of surgeries offer some form of complementary medicine in-house.

How are alternative and complementary treatments developed?

Many alternative and complementary treatments originated in alternative medical systems. These systems have completely different ways of understanding the human body, disease and healing. As a result they differ, sometimes significantly, from the Western medical model.