Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) for lung cancer may come up in discussions or when you search for information related to lung cancer.
Complementary therapies or integrative medicine are practices used along with the usual cancer treatments. They are meant to help ease some of the symptoms of cancer, the side effects of treatment, or relieve stress and anxiety.
Be sure to talk to your healthcare team about complementary or alternative medicine and therapies before you use them. They can help you make informed decisions and avoid scams, and treatments that could be harmful or interfere with cancer treatment.
Alternative therapies are those used instead of the usual treatments that your cancer center offers. Alternative therapies have not been tested or researched in the same way as approved cancer treatments, so it’s not known if they are safe and effective. Some alternative therapies may even be harmful. Be careful of online claims of unproven cures that may cost a lot of money and not be helpful.
Examples of complementary therapies for lung cancer
Complementary therapies can help manage some symptoms of cancer or side effects from treatment such as pain, nausea, anxiety, and/or sleep issues.
It is important that you discuss complementary therapies with your healthcare team before you use them because they may be harmful to you or interfere with cancer treatments.
Examples of complementary therapies include:
- Massage
- Reiki
- Acupuncture
- Guided Imagery
- Yoga
- Nutritional supplements
If you are thinking about CAM, please be aware that sometimes claims made about how well they work can’t be proven. If you are thinking about a product or approach, the information from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) on Cancer Treatment Scams may help.
Questions to ask your healthcare team about lung cancer complementary therapy
CAM for lung cancer have gained attention among people looking for holistic approaches to treatment. However, risks must be addressed before using these therapies.
Questions to ask before starting a complementary therapy include:
- Will it interfere with my cancer treatment?
- Have studies proven that it helps?
- What are the risks and side effects?
- Will my healthcare team and CAM provider work together?
- Will insurance cover the cost of the treatment?
Explore other questions to ask your healthcare team.
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Frequently asked questions
Where can I find more resources and support?
Contact the GO2 HelpLine at 1-800-298-2436 or email support@go2.org to connect with caring and highly trained staff who listen, answer your questions, and provide support. We offer many free programs and educational resources to meet your needs.
What is the difference between complementary and alternative therapies?
A complementary therapy is used along with the usual cancer treatments. An alternative therapy is used instead of usual cancer treatments and it doesn’t have research proving that it is helpful or safe.
How do I know if information I found online is a scam?
These websites can help you understand more about potential scams:
- The Federal Trade Commission’s Consumer Advice page can help you learn more about Common Health Scams.
- QuackWatch is a network of websites focused on health frauds, myths, fads, fallacies, and misconduct.
Where can I find trustworthy information on complementary therapies?
For information on how to find trustworthy cancer treatment information, read suggestions from the National Cancer Institute (NCI). Trusted information about CAM can also be found at: