Learn how making informed decisions can impact your choice of complementary therapies during cancer treatment and recovery.
Learn more about:
- Overview
- What to consider before you try a therapy
- How to choose a complementary therapy
- How to find a complementary therapist
- Understanding costs
- Taking part in a clinical trial
Overview
Deciding whether to use complementary therapies should be like deciding on conventional treatment. It’s important to talk to your cancer specialist, GP and complementary therapist about your situation and any treatment.
Ask questions and find out as much as possible about the complementary therapy you are considering trying.
It’s your decision whether to use complementary therapies. Friends or family may encourage you to try therapies that aren’t tested. They may mean well, but you may feel pressure to take their advice. It’s your right to decide what is best for you.
If you’re not sure how to respond, you could say: “Thank you for caring and wanting to help. I really appreciate your support.” Or: “I’m working closely with my medical team to make decisions that are right for me.”
What to consider before you try a therapy
- What are the benefits?
- Is there scientific evidence that shows it works?
- What are the risks and possible side effects of the therapy?
- Will it interact with other medicines I am taking?
- Could it be harmful if the therapist asks me to stop or delay conventional treatment?
- Can I afford the cost of the therapy or medicines?
- Will I join a conventional treatment clinical trial?
Cancer Council warns people not to delay or replace conventional treatment or medicine with a complementary or alternative therapy.
→ READ MORE: How to choose a complementary therapy
Meditation and Relaxation Podcast
Listen to more of our meditation and relaxation podcast for people affected by cancer
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.
View the Cancer Council NSW editorial policy.
