Alternative therapies are those used in place of standard/conventional treatments. An example of an alternative therapy is to go on a special diet to treat cancer instead of having surgery, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy.

Most doctors agree that some complementary therapies (therapies used in combination with standard treatments) can help people with cancer. However, this is not the case with alternative therapies. There are serious risks to be considered when patients abandon proven medical therapies for unproven alternative therapies, which may decrease their chances of remission or recovery.

If you are considering using an alternative therapy, it is important to discuss this with your doctor before beginning use of alternative medicine. Some alternative therapies can actually be harmful to people with cancer. Although some alternative therapies may do no harm, very few have undergone rigorous scientific testing regarding safety or effectiveness. In addition, patients who use alternative therapies may lose their chance at the most effective use of standard treatments.

The following resources provide more information about specific alternative therapies.

National Institutes of Healths National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM): A listing of CAM treatments that includes a review of the evidence and possible risks of each.

Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: Searchable database on common herbs, therapies, vitamins and other products used in alternative medicine. Includes a review of scientific evidence on topic, including purported benefits, side effects, and treatment interactions.

Mayo Clinic: Overview and analysis of common alternative therapies, including nutritional and herbal treatments, chemical treatments, and detoxifying treatments.

American Cancer Society: A listing of CAM therapies and products by type that includes a review of scientific research and possible risks and benefits.