Breast
Cancer And Using Alternative And Complementary Medicine
Complementary medicine is what we call medicines we use
with standard treatment of breast cancer. Alternative medicines are
used instead of regular medical treatment. You will want to talk to
your doctor about these two alternative methods of treating your
cancer. Before you decide to go with an alternative and complementary
medicine for breast cancer, you should ask your doctor some important
questions.
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Do expected benefits
outweigh the risks
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What are the risks
involved
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What benefits can be
expected
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What side effects
should I be aware of
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Will alternative and
complementary medicine change the way my cancer treatment
works
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Could alternative
medicine be harmful
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Are there studies under
way for the alternative medicine you are considering
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Important-Will your
health insurance pay for this alternative or complementary
approach to cancer therapy
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Acupuncture, massage therapy, herbal products,
vitamins, special diets, meditation, visualization, and
spiritual healing are all types of complementary and alternative
medicines. If you are considering taking herbal products or
going on a special diet for cancer treatment, your doctor should
advise you about risks involved. Beware of fraud offers of
healing from herbal mixtures that are guaranteed to cure
cancer.
Prayer and meditation will make you emotionally
stronger and better able to fight breast cancer. Never discount the
power of prayer in the lives of you and your loved ones. Miracles
have been confirmed of people who have had divine intervention with
their disease. A good support system can be found in your church or
place of worship, and it has been proven that faith in a higher power
will give you peace and emotional stability.
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Acupuncture is an ancient method of fighting
illness, pain, and disease. Many chiropractors have the
ability to use acupuncture in their practice. Massage
therapy is another form of alternative or complementary
medicine.
For many women who use other methods of
complementing their cancer therapy, it makes them feel
better. Some practices can change the way your traditional
medicine works and could even be harmful to you. If some of
these methods are used alone, the result could be deadly.
Talk to your doctor about combining any of these methods
with prescribed treatments of breast cancer.
Some complementary and alternative methods
are not covered by insurance. You should contact your
insurance carrier to discover what alternative methods of
treatment their company covers. |
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