Supplementary Cancer Treatments to Explore
Collaborative Post
Cancer treatment has come a long way. Through treatments like surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy, many cancers can be successfully removed. While these are still your best options for beating the ‘big C’, there are options out there that can be great supplementary forms of treatment. Below are some of the treatments currently being considered.
IV therapy
Chemotherapy involves anti-cancer drugs being administered directly into the vein. While this may be the best form of IV therapy, there are other forms of IV therapy that can possibly help to further kill off cancer cells while also potentially reducing the side effects of chemo. Vitamin C IV therapy is a common example of this that has some mild scientific backing. This involves injecting a Vitamin C solution directly into the bloodstream in order to help boost the body’s immune system, regenerate healthy cells and kill off cancer cells. You can get this treatment done at an integrated oncology centre.
Herbal medicines
Various herbs and spices have been used to treat cancer for centuries, but there is little scientific proof that many of them work. One of the most studied anti-cancer herbs is turmeric, which may help due to its strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. A spoonful of turmeric powder in some hot water each day could be worth trying. Burdock root also has many properties similar to anti-cancer drugs and could be worth trying as a tea. Other herbs worth looking at are ginger and astragalus – both of which have been found by cancer patients to be great at fighting the side effects of chemo.
Cancer diets
There are many studies that link a poor diet to the development of certain cancers. Continuing to eat such a diet may only assist the cancer’s growth. Therefore, it’s worth changing your diet when trying to treat cancer. It might be helpful to focus on a balanced diet of organic foods. Getting a good fix of vitamins may help with cell repair. If you are undergoing chemotherapy, it could be worth trying to eat lots of protein-rich foods when you are not feeling nauseous. For days when you are feeling nauseous, you could try adopting the BRAT diet.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese medicine that involves inserting long thin needles into certain parts of the body. While it cannot treat cancer, it may be effective at treating certain symptoms and side effects of cancer and chemotherapy. Acupuncture is primarily used for pain relief and may help relieve pain caused by some cancers. You can also use acupuncture to reduce nausea, which is a common side effect of chemo.
Psychotherapy
Many studies into patients with terminal cancer have found that those that embrace positivity tend to live longer. Our mindset not only affects our willingness to get treatment, but also reduces stress levels and increases endorphin levels – which can boost our immune system and reduce inflammation. Psychotherapy is particularly worth pursuing if you have depression triggered by cancer or anxiety surrounding treatments like chemotherapy. There are therapists that specialise in talking to cancer patients and helping improve mental health.
This article is for information only. Please consult your medical practitioner before embarking on any alternative or supplementary treatments.
