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what are they?
Cancer will affect one in three of us at some time in our lives. Cancer is not a single disease. In fact there are over 200 different kinds which can affect any of the body's organs or tissues. What they have in common is that they are caused by the uncontrollable division of the body's cells. Cancer itself or treatments for cancer can lead to a number of physical and emotional problems. Some of the most common include:
- anxiety
- breathlessness
- food aversion
- depression
- nausea and/or vomiting
- pain (Check out our feature on pain on the science site.).
what causes them?
Cancer-related problems may result from the cancer itself, for example, pain or breathlessness caused by advanced cancer or problems caused by a tumour pressing on another organ. Other cancer-related problems are side effects of medical treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy (drug treatment) and/or radiotherapy. Many are a result of the emotional toll that having serious and potentially life-threatening disease takes.
how complementary therapies may help
In the past some irresponsible complementary therapists have claimed miracle cures for cancer. Sadly none of these have proved to have any foundation. However complementary therapies can and do have a real role to play in alleviating some of the distressing side-effects and consequences of cancer and a number of cancer treatment centres today use complementary therapies alongside medical treatment.
Each therapy has been coded from 1 to 5 depending on the amount of scientific evidence there is for its effectiveness. The higher the number the stronger the evidence, so 5 = definitely, 4 = probably, 3 = possibly, 2 = opinion, and 1 = rumour. (There is more detail about these in the 'does it work?' section of 'before you start'.)
Having said this, the codes aren't meant to be cast in stone or to put you off trying a particular therapy or therapies if you feel they might be helpful to you.
Go to therapies for a full description of each individual treatment, plus information on how to find practitioners.
acupuncture
(code 5)
Acupuncture can stimulate the release of endorphins, the body's own 'feel-good' chemicals, which can help you to relax and feel better. There is good evidence that acupuncture can help improve nausea caused by chemotherapy and the therapist may show you how to stimulate acupoints, for example Pericardium 6, to help you treat yourself.
healing
(code 3)
Many people with cancer report that healing ('laying on of hands') and therapeutic touch, a technique based on healing, help to ease anxiety and improve feelings of emotional and spiritual well-being. Healers are available in many cancer centres.
homeopathy
(code 3)
Homeopathic remedies should never ever be a substitute for conventional chemotherapy. However they may be able to help you to cope with some of the side effects of therapy, such as a sore mouth caused by chemotherapy. A properly trained and registered homeopath will try to find specific remedies matched to your particular symptoms.
hypnotherapy
(code 3)
Hypnotherapy can help you to relax and ease tension and has been shown in several studies to help control pain, nausea and/or vomiting. The therapist may show you how to induce a hypnotic state yourself to help control symptoms.
massage
(code 3)
Massage can be tremendously relaxing and help you cope with the stress of having cancer. Particular kinds of massage may be indicated for specific problems. For example lymphatic drainage massage, a gentle type of massage, can help to prevent lymphoedema (swelling of the arm caused by lymph fluid that cannnot drain away), a side-effect of some breast cancer treatments.
relaxation and breathing
(code 3)
A number of different studies have shown that relaxation and breathing, especially when combined with visualisation, can help control pain and ease symptoms such as nausea and anxiety. You may be encouraged to visualise your cancer cells being killed or to choose an image that appeals to you.
creative therapies
(code 2)
Many cancer centres encourage people with cancer to participate in creative therapies including art therapy, music therapy, dance. By encouraging mental focus, these can help you relax and find an outlet for feelings that you may find difficult to express verbally.
» help and info
If you have further questions, why not search the extensive bank of answers provided by our trained advisors? Check out just ask.
For details of other organisations, websites and publications go to our get help directory.
(July 2002)
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