Complementary Medicine

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 Web sites 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.