The difference between complementary and alternative therapies (CAMs)

There is an important difference between a complementary therapy and an alternative therapy.

People often use the terms complementary therapy and alternative therapy as if they mean the same thing. And they are often joined into one phrase – complementary and alternative therapies (CAMs).

A complementary therapy means you can use it alongside your conventional medical treatment. It may help you to feel better and cope better with your cancer and treatment.

An alternative therapy is generally used instead of medical treatment.

All cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy, have to go through rigorous testing by law. This is to prove that they work. Most alternative therapies have not been through such testing. And there is no scientific evidence that they work. Some types of alternative therapy may not be completely safe. And could cause harmful side effects. Some treatments may interact with each other.

If you're thinking about using a complementary or alternative therapy, talk to your:

• cancer doctor
• GP
• specialist nurse

Also, let your complementary or alternative therapist know about your cancer treatment.

What are complementary therapies?

People with cancer may use complementary therapies alongside their medical treatments. They can help them to feel better and may improve quality of life. The cancer or side effects of cancer treatment can cause symptoms. Complementary therapies may help you to cope better with these symptoms.

A good complementary therapist won't claim that the therapy will cure your cancer. They will always encourage you to discuss any therapies with your cancer doctor or GP.

There are many different types of complementary therapy, including:

• aromatherapy
• acupuncture
• herbal medicine
• massage therapy
• visualisation
• yoga

Many health professionals are supportive of people with cancer using complementary therapies. But some may be reluctant for their patients to use them. This is usually because many therapies have not been tested in the same way as conventional treatments.

There is some research looking into how well complementary therapies work for people with cancer. But we need more to find out how best to use them.

What are alternative therapies?

Alternative therapies are used instead of medical treatment. People with cancer have various reasons for wanting to try alternative therapies.

There is no scientific or medical evidence to show that alternative therapies can cure cancer. Some alternative therapies are unsafe and can cause harmful side effects. Or they may interact with your medical treatment. This could increase the risk of harmful side effects. Or may stop the conventional treatment working so well. Giving up your cancer treatment could reduce your chance of curing or controlling your cancer.

Some alternative therapies sound promising. But there is no good evidence to support the claims. They can give some people false hope.

Examples of alternative cancer therapies include:

• laetrile
• shark cartilage
• Gerson therapy

Other terms used to describe CAM therapies

There are several different terms used to describe complementary or alternative therapies. If you're not familiar with them, it can be confusing. You may see therapies described as:

Unconventional therapies
This generally means treatments that aren’t normally used by doctors to treat cancer. In other words, any treatment that is not thought of as part of conventional medicine.

CAM (Complementary and Alternative Medicine) 
CAM is a term which covers both complementary and alternative therapies.

Integrated healthcare or integrated medicine
These terms describe the use of conventional medicine and complementary therapies together. The terms are often used in the USA but are becoming more widely used in the UK.

In cancer care, integrated medicine usually includes having access to all the following:

• conventional medical treatments
• different types of complementary therapies. These include massage, reflexology, relaxation, herbal medicine and acupuncture
• counselling services and support groups
• up to date information about your cancer and its treatment

Traditional medicine
Health professionals may use this term to mean a therapy that has developed over centuries, usually within a particular culture. It's usually formed around a particular belief system.

This term can be confusing. In the western part of the world, conventional medicine could be considered a traditional medicine. But this term is not usually used in this way. It generally refers to therapies or treatments that developed in the eastern part of the world. Such as: 

• Ayurvedic medicine
• traditional Chinese Medicine