Complementary therapies for prostate cancer

Some men turn to complementary therapies for prostate cancer alongside the treatments prescribed by doctors.

In some cases, the alternative approach is taken to help with the side effects of other treatments, such as hot flushes caused by hormone therapy.

The charity Prostate Cancer UK advises using therapists who are trained and belong to a professional body. The Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council helps maintain standards in this area.

Always tell the cancer care team about complementary therapies being considered in case they are not recommended or may interfere with other treatments.

Although strong research evidence is lacking, some men with hot flushes may be helped with acupuncture needle therapy or being taken into a trance-like and relaxed state by a hypnotherapist.

Some men use herbal remedies for their hot flushes. There are herbal remedies, such as black cohosh, registered with the medicines regulator MHRA for the symptoms of menopause, including hot flushes in women, but none specifically for hot flushes in men.

The Prostate Cancer Support Association suggests that visualisation techniques may be helpful in developing what it calls an "optimistic approach to cancer".

Other techniques it suggests include aromatherapy and reflexology.