The goal of complementary medicine is to balance the whole person — physically, mentally, and emotionally — while conventional medicine does its work. For many people diagnosed with breast cancer, complementary medicine has helped to:
- relieve symptoms
- ease treatment side effects
- improve quality of life
Researchers are working to better understand the value and benefit of complementary medicine in breast cancer.
In this section, you can read:
- What Is Complementary Medicine?
- Learn about how complementary medicine works, points to consider, and costs associated with complementary techniques.
- Types of Complementary Techniques
- Explore a wide range of complementary therapy techniques — from acupuncture and yoga to prayer, music therapy, and massage.
- The Healing Benefits
- Discover how complementary therapies can help you manage the physical and emotional symptoms of breast cancer.
- Is Complementary Medicine Safe and Effective?
- Learn about the treatment standards, safety testing, and potential side effects associated with complementary medicine.
- Finding a Practitioner
- How do you tell if a complementary medicine practitioner is reputable? Learn how to find a skilled practitioner and what questions to ask before starting treatment.
- Talking to Your Doctor
- Learn how to discuss complementary medicine with your doctors and nurses.
- What Doctors and Patients Say About Complementary Medicine
- Hear from women who have used complementary therapies and doctors who recommend them.
- Resource Guide
- Get a list of trusted websites and books where you can learn more about complementary medicine and a list of places to find a skilled complementary medicine practitioner.
The medical experts for Complementary Medicine are:
- Raymond Chang, M.D., and Pamela Yee, M.D., Meridian Medical Group, New York; Institute of East-West Medicine, New York; Albert Einstein School of Medicine, New York
- Lorenzo Cohen, Ph.D., Director of Integrative Medicine, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
- Beth Baughman DuPree, M.D., F.A.C.S., breast cancer surgeon, Comprehensive Breast Care Associates, Langhorne, PA; author of The Healing Consciousness; member of the Breastcancer.org Professional Advisory Board
- Jane I. Hart, M.D., Preventive Medicine Consultations, Cleveland Heights, OH
This section is funded by an unrestricted educational grant from the Crowther Family at Lakeview Professional Services, Inc.
