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Complementary therapies

Complementary therapies are generally used alongside the standard treatments (chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery) and may help people with cancer in coping with the symptoms and side-effects of treatment, as well as the complex and distressing emotions cancer can cause.

My Dad’s recovered now, so we roped him in to helping with the event, and we all had a really great time. I want to do it again next year and make it bigger and better!
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Complementary therapies are commonly either psychological, self-help, physical or dietary.

Cartoon character with acupuncture needles sticking in his back

If someone is interested in complementary therapies, they should talk to their doctor for advice and support, so that they can make an informed decision about whether a therapy is right for them.

These are some of the most common complementary options:

Psychological and self-help therapies

Counselling
Relaxation
Hypnotherapy
Art therapy
Self-help groups

These help people cope with stress, anxiety, and depression. They should always be done with a trained, registered therapist.

Physical therapies

Massage
Reflexology
Acupuncture
Aromatherapy

These are used to relieve symptoms and reduce anxiety and should always be carried out by a trained, registered therapist.

Dietary therapies

Some alternative diets aim to get rid of toxins our body accumulates from processed and junk food. Most of these diets are vegan or vegetarian. They include eating food that is raw, sugar-free and low in salt, such as vegetables and fruit, and high doses of vitamins, minerals and enzymes.

Some people with cancer feel that diet therapies are helpful and there have been claims of dramatic cures. However, dietary cures have not been confirmed by the medical profession, which is concerned that in some cases these diets may cause the patient more harm. For more information you should speak to a trained, registered dietician.