Anorexia
Methods of Managing Cancer Related Anorexia
(Complementary and Alternative Therapies)

Standard or conventional therapy describes mainstream medical treatments that have been tested following a strict set of guidelines and found to be safe and effective. The results of such studies have been published in journals reviewed by other doctors or scientists in the field. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the treatments used in conventional medicine.

Investigational therapies are being studied in clinical trials. Clinical trials are research projects that determine whether a new treatment is effective and safe for patients. Before a drug or other treatment can be used regularly to treat patients, it is studied and tested carefully. Only after it is determined that the treatment is both safe and effective does it become part of the standard, mainstream collection of proven therapies used to treat disease in humans.

Complementary therapies are supportive methods that are used in addition to mainstream or standard treatment. Complementary methods do not cure disease; rather they control symptoms and improve well being. Nutritional approaches are the most commonly used complementary treatments. ¹²

Alternative therapies are used in place of standard treatment. These treatments are unproved because they have not been scientifically tested, or were tested and found to be ineffective. People outside of the medical field often promote these treatments.

Quackery refers to the promotion of methods that claim to prevent, diagnose, or treat cancers that are known to be false, or which are unproven. Such promotions generally go beyond well-intended friendly advice. Quackery involves dishonesty and often requires a fee or a donation.

Helpful Complementary Approaches

• Aromatherapy



• Art therapy



• Biofeedback



• Garlic, herbal teas



• Massage therapy



• Meditation



• Music therapy



• Prayer, spiritual practices

Questions to ask about alternative and complementary therapies

• What claims are made for the treatment: to cure the cancer or to enable the standard treatment to work better: to relieve symptoms or side effects?



• What are the credentials of those supporting the treatment? Are they recognized experts in cancer treatment? Have they published their findings in trustworthy journals?



• How is the method promoted? Is it promoted only in books, magazines, TV and radio talks shows rather than in scientific journals?



• Are you told not to use conventional medical treatment? Do the promoters attack the medical/scientific establishment?

Always inform your healthcare provider of any complementary or alternative therapies that are being used. This knowledge is critical in managing your treatment plan.