Conventional, complementary and alternative therapy

There is a difference between complementary therapies and alternative therapies, although often these terms are used as though they mean the same thing.

• Conventional treatment
• Complementary therapies
• Alternative therapies
• If cancer can't be cured
• Talking about therapies

Conventional treatment

Conventional therapies are the treatments that doctors use as part of medical care to treat people with cancer. These consist of surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, hormonal therapy and biological therapies. They are also referred to as orthodox treatments. These treatments are usually tested using scientific reasoning and research methods to prove their benefits and possible side effects.

Complementary therapies

Many people in the UK use complementary therapies regularly to maintain their health. They can be very helpful in dealing with health problems. Some complementary therapies have developed based on ancient traditions and philosophies, using views and experience developed over thousands of years.

In many cancer hospitals and hospices in the UK, complementary therapies are used alongside conventional treatment. Most doctors are happy for their patients to use complementary therapies in this way. There are many different types of complementary therapy and it is not possible to describe them all in this secton. However, see types of therapies for information on therapies commonly used in the UK.

Some doctors have been reluctant for their patients to use complementary therapies, because many of these treatments have not been scientifically tested by Western medical researchers. However, recent research studies have been able to show positive effects from some complementary therapies; such as an improvement in patients' quality of life and reduction of symptoms or treatment side effects.

These therapies are now offered on the NHS in some hospitals. Studies to evaluate and research complementary therapies are ongoing and will help to develop knowledge about the best way to use complementary therapies.

Alternative therapies

Alternative therapies are treatments that try to treat cancer with unconventional therapies (not the usual medical or complementary treatments). Some alternative therapists use their therapies for people having conventional medical or complementary therapies. Other practitioners advise their patients to give up conventional treatments, which can be a very harmful thing to do. Some alternative therapies cause severe side effects and make people feel extremely unwell.

There are literally hundreds of alternative therapies. Some alternative therapists claim that their therapies can cure cancer even if conventional medicines have not been able to do so. However, alternative therapies cannot cure cancer or slow the growth of cancer and some can be harmful. There have been cases in which false claims made about alternative therapies have led some patients to turn away from conventional treatments that could have helped them.

Some alternative therapies are very cleverly marketed so that when you read about them or are told about them, they seem to be very effective. The claims made about some therapies may give patients false hope. People with cancer can be very vulnerable, especially if they have been told that their cancer cannot be cured with conventional therapies. There have been cases where people have been misled and harmed by promises of a miracle cure. However, no reputable therapist would claim to be able to cure cancer.

There are various reasons for people wanting to try alternative therapies. Sometimes it is because people feel that conventional treatment cannot help them or is harmful. This is understandable, as many chemotherapy drugs are toxic and can cause unpleasant side effects. The idea of having radiotherapy can also be frightening. However, in early cancer many people can be cured with conventional treatments.

If cancer can't be cured

If people are told by their doctors that their cancer cannot be cured using conventional medicine, they may feel desperate and feel that an alternative therapy is their only hope of a cure. However, if a cancer cannot be cured by conventional medical treatment it will not be possible to cure it with alternative treatment. In this situation, some alternative therapies may do no harm, but some could be very harmful. If the cancer cannot be cured, complementary therapies can help to reduce anxiety and control symptoms, alongside conventional medicines for symptom control.

If you are considering using complementary or alternative therapies talk to your doctor for advice and support. Doctors are generally supportive of people using any complementary therapies which may help them cope better with their illness, but may advise against using alternative therapies.

Talking about therapies

Before making any decisions on complementary therapies, make sure you have all the information you need from your doctor. You can ask to have an initial consultation with a complementary therapist to ask what they feel their therapy can do for you. See tips on choosing a therapist and what to ask them.

You can take a friend or relative with you for support. It can help to write down the questions that matter most to you beforehand. You can then take time to decide whether you want to go ahead with treatment and think about what is the best option for you.

Our cancer support service can give you advice on how to find a suitable therapist and provides information on different complementary and alternative therapies as well as support groups offering complementary therapy services in your area.