Most cancer patients want to try out everything that can make them feel better, and this included alternative and complementary cancer therapy. Some Best cancer centers in the USA provide alternative cancer treatment therapy rather than conventional medical treatment. Also, cancer patients have different reasons for seeking alternative therapies. Therefore, if you are feeling as if you are losing grip of your health because of cancer, seeking alternative cancer therapies can help you feel as if you are in control.
And, although there’s no proof that alternative cancer therapy can cure cancer, it can help you to manage the common symptoms of cancer, as well as the effects of cancer treatment. Some of the common signs and symptoms of cancer, and its treatment include fatigue, anxiety, nausea and vomiting, difficulty sleeping, pain, as well as stress—you can manage all these through alternative cancer therapy.
In this post, we shall give you a guide to alternative cancer therapies, which you can choose instead of conventional treatment methods. Please note that no medical or scientific evidence proves that alternative cancer therapies can cure cancer. Therefore, the experts from the Arizona cancer treatment center advise cancer patients to consult their doctor to determine the right balance between conventional cancer treatment methods and alternative cancer therapies. With that said, let’s delve in!
Amygdalin
This is a compound commonly found in peach stones, apricot stones, and bitter almonds. Now, when your body processes amygdalin, it converts it into cyanide (a type of poison). However, artificially manufactured amygdalin is known as Laetrile or vitamin B17. However, this is not a vitamin in reality.
Some cancer treatment centers use Laetrile since they believe it can stop or slow cancer growth. Furthermore, they claim that amygdalin can poison the cancer cells, without harming your tissues and normal cells.
Essiac
Typically, Essiac comes in the form of a drink, and it’s used as a nutritional supplement. However, cancer patients are cautioned not to take Essiac while under treatment or to combine it with other cancer medication without consulting their doctor first. It’s said that Essiac can cure cancer, or slow down the growth of the cancer cells. However, there isn’t any medical evidence that proves that Essiac can improve the quality of life or treat cancer.
When taken, Essiac can affect the enzyme in your body that regulates both vitamin d and hormones. Besides, it affects how your body handles toxins. That means, taking Essiac together with other cancer medication can affect their effectiveness, or even increase their side effects.
CBD oil
Typically, marijuana is made of substances known as cannabinoids. And, the two primary cannabinoids are:
- CBD (cannabidiol)
- THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol)
Please note that not all countries have authorized the use of these two products.
These two substances are mostly sold online, with CBD oil sold in some licensed shops. Before purchasing cannabis oil, it’s important to note that it can comprise different levels of CBD and THC. And there’s no evidence to prove that CBD oil can effectively cure cancer. However, it can manage some of the side effects of cancer treatment medication.
If you are considering using CBD oil for cancer treatment, there are a few things that you must consider. These are:
- Check whether THC and any THC products are legalized in your country.
- THC has some side effects, like dizziness, increased heart rate, paranoia, feeling high, and hallucinations.
- Both THC and CBD can affect how some cancer medications work.
Aromatherapy
This alternative cancer therapy relies on fragrant oils to give the patient a relaxing sensation. Here, the therapist will use oils infused with different scents like lavender—these oils are applied to the patient’s skin during a massage session. Also, the doctor can add the oils into bathwater. Besides, fragrant oils can be heated to release their aromatic scents. Patients seeking aromatherapy want to manage certain effects of cancer treatment like pain, stress, and nausea.
The good thing about aromatherapy is that you can do it yourself, or administered by a professional practitioner. This is one of the safest alternative cancer therapy, even though it can lead to allergic reactions when applied to the skin. Therefore, cancer patients who are estrogen-sensitive, like breast cancer patients, should avoid applying lots of tea tree oil or lavender oil to their skins.
Acupuncture
During this alternative cancer therapy, the doctor inserts very tiny needles into the skin, and at precise points. Research has revealed that acupuncture can help to relieve chemotherapy-related nausea. Besides, acupuncture can help to relieve some types of pains experienced by cancer patients.
Please note that acupuncture is only safe if performed by a certified acupuncture practitioner with sterile needs. Therefore, it’s important to ask your doctor for references from trusted acupuncture practitioners. However, you should avoid acupuncture if you are not blood thinners or you have a low blood count. Therefore, consult with your doctor first before starting this treatment.
Bottom Line
There you go! These are some of the top alternative cancer therapies. However, you need to consult your doctor before starting any of these therapies to know whether they will work out for you.