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How to Explore Complementary Medicine for Colon Cancer Treatment

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By eHow Contributing Writer
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If you receive a diagnosis of colon cancer, you may wish to explore complementary medicine, products and treatments outside the range of conventional medicine. While the main treatment for colon cancer is surgery to remove the tumor or polyp, complementary medicine may lower the risk of recurrence, reduce the size of inoperable tumors and lessen the side effects of treatment.

From Quick Guide: Colon Cancer
Difficulty: Moderate
Instructions

Things You'll Need:

  • Computer with Internet access
  • Oncologist
  1. Step 1

    Explore the various forms of complementary medicine. Some work to reduce the size of the tumor in people who have inoperable cancer, while others aim to prevent recurrence in people who have been cured. Regardless of the stage your colon cancer is in, a willingness to try alternative medicine can yield promising results.

  2. Step 2

    Expect to change your diet. Complementary medicines are not a miracle cure for colon cancer, and you will need to modify your diet to include more vitamins from plants and less fat from animal sources. Fruits and vegetables are shown to reduce the risk and recurrence of colon cancer.

  3. Step 3

    Speak to your doctor about adding one or more forms of complementary treatment to your current regimen. Current research trials are studying the effects of everything from yoga to immunotherapy shots. Any of these may help in your case.

  4. Step 4

    Follow up with your oncologist regularly. If the complementary medicine is not working, you will want to switch to a new treatment as soon as possible. Be sure to mention any side effects to the doctor, even those that seem normal for colon cancer, like diarrhea, fatigue and vomiting.

Tips & Warnings
  • Most complementary medicines are available only through research studies or specific clinics.
  • It is your right to make informed decisions regarding your medical care based on information provided by your doctor. If your physician refuses to explore complementary medicine, you have every right to change doctors or clinics.
  • As your treatment comes to an end, ask your doctor how you can merge complementary therapies into your everyday life.
  • While complementary medicine may offer colon cancer patients hope, living with cancer is hard, both emotionally and physically. Finding a support group, especially one that caters to people undergoing the same experimental treatment, can offer relief from the depression caused by cancer.

Comments  

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