How to Find Alternative Therapies to Treat Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian cancer is a malignant growth in or on the ovaries. For many women suffering from ovarian cancer, pursuing alternative therapies can help alleviate side effects, reduce stress and anxiety and even treat the actual disease. Many women find that alternative therapies are as if not more successful than traditional treatment methods.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Computer with Internet access

Speak to Your Doctor About Using Alternative Therapies to Treat Your Ovarian Cancer

1. Make sure that the alternative therapy won't interfere with your primary medical treatment. Ask your doctor if he or she knows of any ways your treatments might counteract each other.
2. Ask your doctor if there are any alternative therapies or alternative therapy practitioners that he or she might recommend. Many women are pleasantly surprised to discover that their doctor encourages alternative therapy as an additional treatment for ovarian cancer.
3. Be an informed patient. Do research about techniques and results before you agree to try out an alternative therapy.

Discover Different Forms of Alternative Cancer Therapy

4. Investigate biologically based therapies. Look into methods of treatment that involve herbs, vitamins, dietary supplements or dietary restrictions. You may have access to a nutritionist through your insurance company.
5. Explore body-based therapies. Treatments such as massage therapy, reflexology, acupuncture and chiropractic therapy are all methods that involve working with the whole body to treat cancer.
6. Consider mind-based therapies. The techniques of hypnosis, meditation and yoga are other alternative treatment methods that have been used by ovarian cancer patients. If you are religious or spiritual, consider the power of prayer, as well.

Expand Your Resources

7. Contact official organizations and agencies to find out information about alternative therapies. Check with the American Cancer Society or organizations specifically devoted to ovarian cancer (see Resources below).
8. Speak to your healthcare team. Any of your physicians or specialists should be able to provide you with information about alternative therapy practitioners whom you can trust.
9. Consider contacting an ovarian cancer support group whose members may have undergone alternative therapies.

Tips & Warnings

• Cancer patients have the right to pursue alternative forms of therapy and, in many cases, insurance companies must finance these alternative choices.
• Ask your doctors about any research they have access to regarding alternative therapies.
• Undergoing any kind of treatment is an emotionally difficult experience, and care should be taken to treat your mental as well as your physical health.