Complementary Therapies for  Mesothelioma & All Cancers

Cancer has been around for hundreds of years and while there are numerous way of treating cancer, a cure has yet to be developed. When cancer is caught in the early stages of development and has not yet metastasized, surgery is usually the go-to option in hopes to successfully remove the localized tumor. Other than surgery, there is no real curative treatment for any type of cancer (that the public is aware of).

Even if mesothelioma and cancers are addressed early on and all cancer cells are eradicated and removed using any of the traditional mesothelioma treatments, the risk of a relapse is significant.

Complementary Cancer Therapies Growing In Popularity

Since a cure is never guaranteed, one of the best ways to help a cancer patient lead as normal of a life as possible, is to combine approved medical treatments with complementary/alternative therapies which will aid to improving the patient’s quality of life.

Here are just a few of the most common complementary therapies for cancer:

Acupuncture Therapy – is a palliative treatment for mesothelioma. Acupuncture involves the insertion of needles into the skin to relieve pain.
Chiropractic Care – is another complementary treatment available for patients suffering from mesothelioma. This type of treatment can help the patients suffering from mesothelioma manage pain while undergoing other treatments like chemotherapy or radiotherapy.
Herbal and Nutritional Supplements – are very important when fighting an illness. In cases of mesothelioma, herbal supplements, as well as, nutritional supplements are considered a complementary treatment for providing necessary vitamins and minerals used when fighting the disease. They are especially significant while undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy, as the human body is the most vulnerable at that time.
Homeopathy – is an alternative treatment method for patients suffering from mesothelioma. Homeopathy is a natural treatment, which helps manage the adverse effects associated with drugs used for treatment.
Massage Therapy – is often used in cases of cancer treatment as it provides pain relief and relaxation. There are different massage methods available, and a person can choose whichever they prefer.
Meditation – is a form of relaxation used as a complementary treatment to help patients relax and be at peace with their illness. Mesothelioma is a serious disease, with no cure; acceptance is a positive step in combating it.

These are just quick snippets of common therapies used along side with the traditional cancer treatments. If you would like to learn more about these, along with several others, the following link shares 26 complementary therapies for mesothelioma and all cancers. https://www.treatmesothelioma.org/treatment/complementary/

Identification of Aggravating Substances, Situations, & Therapies

Side effects, warning signs, and symptoms can sometimes be aggravated from new experiences, foods, movements, and therapies. For example, there is a type of mesothelioma called, peritoneal mesothelioma, which affects the tissue lining of the abdominal region. So for this case, certain foods, herbs, & supplements could cause increased abdominal pain as your body reacts to them. It is important to identify these substances by logging a journal and staying away from them from that point on.

If certain exercises, movements, and stressful situations cause an extreme shortness of breath or chest pain, you should avoid these situations as well, and perhaps apply any of the relaxation techniques learned from the many complementary therapies listed above. Yoga, meditation, acupuncture, and massage therapy have all been known to alleviate symptoms and stress levels, and are now being recommended by multiple doctors for individuals suffering from mesothelioma and other forms of cancer.

How effective are these treatment options?

Proponents of these alternative treatments and complementary therapy options tend to over emphasize their benefit, claiming that it’s better than actual medical intervention. Please be aware, these strategies mentioned are only complementary, meaning that they should be used and considered as a “build upon” option to a cancer patient’s treatment plan.

These therapies are known as palliative care options that are aimed to relieve pain and symptoms caused by the disease or treatment. These are usually recommended for patients in the later, more severe stages of cancer as they have shown to be beneficial for extending the individual’s life expectancy and quality of life.

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