Numerous studies in medical literature show that up to 80 percent of all cancer patients use some form of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) during the course of their illness. So, if you or a loved one with cancer are exploring CAM therapies, know that you are not alone! In fact, millions of people spend billions of dollars out-of-pocket for CAM therapies and services each year.
Why is this occurring? For numerous reasons.
To begin, despite the extraordinary advances in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer that have occurred in recent years, many patients still face great challenges and uncertainty in dealing with their illness. They want to do everything they can to help themselves to feel better and live longer.
In this context, cancer patients use CAM therapies to:
- Try to improve their survival
- Reduce side effects from their treatment
- Alleviate mental, emotional, and spiritual pain and anxiety
- Improve their quality of life
Some patients also use CAM therapies in response to pressure from family, friends, and co-workers. This social pressure can sometimes be intense and unhelpful, especially when numerous well-intentioned people make conflicting recommendations.
Still other patients use CAM therapies because of television, magazine, or direct mail marketing by a huge herb, vitamin, and supplement industry. This advertising can play on peoples' fears, especially in difficult or challenging circumstances such as dealing with cancer.
Another reason for the increasing use of CAM therapies is related to the United States' changing demographics. Specifically, millions of baby boomers are now entering their 50s and 60s. Many are developing cancer, and they have higher demands and expectations about all aspects of their care than did their parents, who were part of the WWII generation. We are now in an era where doctors and cancer centers increasingly recognize patients as "consumers," and even market their ancillary CAM services and activities to attract patients.
Many of these trends are actually quite positive, especially when informed patients use CAM therapies in a safe and effective manner, and with the knowledge and support of their medical team. It is important, however, that you not feel pressured into using any therapies, especially unproven ones or without the knowledge of your physician.
Visit the "Your Wellbeing" section of www.Caring4Cancer.com to learn more. Sign up to receive The Seven Levels of Healing e-newsletters, which provide additional guidance and information on a regular basis (see the e-newsletter "Sign Up Now" page on the website). And, feel free to post any questions or comments you may have on The Seven Levels of Healing message board.
Posted
Mar 14 2007, 10:20 AM
by
DrJeremyGeffen