Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM)
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Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) are products or practices that are not part of your standard cancer treatments (surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy).
If you are using CAM, it may affect your cancer treatment. If you are using or thinking about using CAM, please talk to your health care team (doctor, pharmacist, nurse).
Complementary therapies are used together with standard cancer treatments (chemotherapy, radiation, surgery).
Alternative therapies are used instead of standard cancer treatments.
There are many types of CAM, including:
- acupuncture
- aromatherapy
- art therapy
- Ayurveda
- biofeedback
- chiropractic therapy
- energy therapies
- guided imager
- hypnosis
- massage therapy
- meditation
- mind-body medicine
- music therapy
- natural health products (vitamins, minerals, herbs)
- naturopathic medicine (special diets, fasting, enemas)
- Tai Chi
What you should know before you use CAM
Please talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before you use CAM.
- Your health care team can help you make the decision.
- Look for information that is reliable and that comes from trusted sources. Below is a list of trusted websites and resources. Ask yourself what health benefits you want from taking CAM therapies.
- Ask the CAM provider about their skill level.
- Find out about possible side effects. The pharmacy team (located on T-wing, 1st floor) can help you with this.
- Find out how much the therapy or medicine will cost.
- CAM therapies may affect your cancer treatment, so please be open and honest with everyone on your health care team.
Natural and herbal products
Some people choose to take natural and herbal products with their cancer treatment. This section will answer common questions about taking natural and herbal products when you have cancer.
What are natural and herbal products?
- Herbal and plant remedies
- Homeopathic medicines
- Vitamins and minerals
What are the possible risks in taking them?
- The exact amount of the natural or herbal medicine in the product may not be known.
- They may stop your cancer treatment (chemotherapy or radiation) from working properly.
- They may have other unsafe substances in them because natural and herbal products do not go through the same testing as other medicines.
- They may make the symptoms and side effects of chemotherapy or radiation worse.
Helpful Reminders:
- Make a list of all the medicines you take including prescription medicines, vitamins, herbal and natural products (including herbal teas) and supplements.
- Keep this list with you at all times in case of emergency.
Where to find more information and support
Odette Patient and Family Support
Florence Winberg Education Event (Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre)
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (US-based)
CAMEO: Complementary Medicine Education & Outcomes Program
American Cancer Society (US-based)
National Cancer Institute (US-based)
While this information may be useful, it is intended for educational purposes only. Please continue to ask your health care team if you have questions or concerns by calling the Odette Cancer Centre at 416-480-5000. For any other inquiries, please email us at patienteducation@sunnybrook.ca.
