In this section we look at the difference between conventional medicine, complementary therapies and alternative therapies.
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Conventional treatments and medicines
Doctors treat cancer using proven medical treatments, including surgery, radiation therapy (radiotherapy) and drug therapies such as chemotherapy, hormone therapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy. These are called conventional medical treatments and are used to remove cancer, slow or stop its growth and spread, or relieve symptoms.
Conventional medical treatments are based on scientific evidence. They are carefully researched to make sure they work and are safe. This is called evidence-based medicine. Before new treatments are used, they are first tested in laboratories and then with people in large studies. This is called a clinical trial.
How complementary therapies can help
Complementary therapies are used alongside conventional medicines – they may be seen to “complement” them. There is no evidence that complementary therapies can treat or cure the cancer itself.
Complementary therapies are said to focus on the whole person, not treating cancer. This is known as holistic care. They may help manage the physical and emotional impact of cancer, or the side effects of conventional cancer treatments.
Some complementary therapies have strong evidence of benefits, but some do not. Some are being, or have been, scientifically tested to see:
- if they are safe for people with cancer
- if they improve symptoms or side effects
- how they interact with conventional cancer treatments.
The difference between “complementary” and “alternative”
“Complementary” and “alternative” mean very different things, even though you may hear or see the terms used together, e.g. “complementary and alternative therapies”. Cancer Council does not recommend using alternative therapies to treat cancer.
Complementary therapies |
Alternative therapies |
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Some alternative therapies and medicines are promoted as cancer cures, and some alternative therapy practitioners may suggest stopping regular cancer treatment. If you are thinking about this, talk with your doctor and cancer care team first. Delaying conventional treatment to try an alternative therapy can let the cancer grow, making it harder to treat or leaving you too unwell to have treatment. It is important to first talk to your doctor about any and all complementary or alternative therapies you are thinking about trying.
→ READ MORE: Key questions about complementary therapies
Video: What are complementary therapies?
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Key resource
Download a PDF booklet on this topic.
More resources
A/Prof Geraldine McDonald, Director Patient Experience and Wellbeing, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, VIC; Laura Carman, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council Victoria; A/Prof Christine Carrington, Senior Consultant Pharmacist Cancer Services, Princess Alexandra Hospital and Metro South Health and The University of Queensland, QLD; Kellie Giannarelli, Consumer; Dr Suzanne Grant, Senior Research Fellow, Integrative Oncology, NICM Health Research Institute, Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, NSW; Vivienne Hansen, Bush and Western Herbal Medicine Practitioner, WA; Karla Jaji, Administration Officer, Nepean Cancer and Wellness Centre, NSW; Dr Laura Kirsten, Senior Clinical Psychologist, Nepean Cancer Services, Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District, NSW; A/Prof Judith Lacey, Director of Supportive Care and Integrative Oncology, Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, NSW; Adjunct Professor Danforn Lim, Western Sydney University and University of Technology Sydney, NSW; Dr David Mizrahi, Senior Research Fellow and Accredited Exercise Physiologist, The Daffodil Centre, University of Sydney and Cancer Council NSW; Professor Avni Sali AM, Founder and Director, National Institute of Integrative Medicine, VIC; Gillian Thompson, Consumer; A/Prof Kate Webber, Medical Oncologist, Monash Health, VIC; Tanya Wells, Integrative Oncology Consultant and Naturopath, Melbourne Integrative Oncology Group, VIC; Prof Kate White, Professor Cancer Nursing, Cancer Care Research Unit, The Daffodil Centre, University of Sydney and Cancer Council NSW.
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