What is complementary therapy? What is alternative therapy? What is the difference? Should I consider either or both of these?
Complementary and alternative therapy both refer to ways to address diseases and wellness outside of the standard, Western, medical approach. They can encompass everything from acupuncture to herbal supplements and meditation.
See: Integrative Medicine for mesothelioma
A therapy is considered complementary when it is used alongside standard medical treatment.
It is considered alternative if a patient chooses the therapy instead of regular medical care.
See: Alternative Therapy
Complementary therapy is worthwhile if it seems to offer you improved quality of life. If it can help relieve your pain, or increase your energy, it may be very useful.
On the other hand, if you forego treatment recommended by medical doctors in order to pursue a different kind of treatment altogether, most doctors would say that is not a good idea. There have been many “remedies” offered to cancer patients over the years that never have been tested for safety or efficacy. Not only will you not be getting the recommended treatment, you could in fact be given something that will make you worse.
If you feel like your regular doctors do not have anything to offer you, it is understandable to want to look at other things. It is highly recommended that as you do so, you remain under the care of an oncologist and let him or her monitor your condition.