For every conventional medical treatment, there are always alternative therapies that are touted as well. The same can be said when you are contemplating treatment for testicular cancer. If you have been diagnosed, chances are you will hear alternative treatments that could be used to alleviate the side effects of traditional cancer therapies and even alternative treatments for the disease itself.

These alternative remedies will likely include things such as special herbs, vitamins, massage therapy, acupuncture, reflexology or even special diets. These non-mainstream remedies may prompt quite a few questions in your mind including:

1. Are alternative remedies safe to try and do they really work?

2. Should I ask my doctor about these alternative treatments or just go ahead and try them?

3. What’s this I hear about complementary remedies and are they the same as alternative forms of treatment?

4. Will these alternative methods counteract or at least hinder my traditional cancer therapy?

There are two terms bandied about that can cause some confusion if you are looking for other therapies beyond the traditional cancer treatments. The word “complementary” refers to particular methods of treatment or medications that are used in conjunction with your prescribed cancer medical treatment. The “alternative” moniker however refers to a treatment that you would engage in as a replacement to traditional cancer therapies as prescribed by your doctor.

Looking into Complementary Treatments

Complementary treatments are not substitutes for any cancer remedies or cures but instead are used to treat such things as side effects from cancer therapies. For instance, chemotherapy may make you feel nauseous so a complementary therapy would be drinking peppermint tea or chewing on ginger to alleviate the nauseous feeling.

There are many tried and true complementary treatments that have been known to help cancer patients just as there are some old wives tales as well. As long as the doctor has no problem with you trying some complementary remedies, go ahead and see how they work for you. Among the many other complementary methods that help cancer patients include yoga, massage, aromatherapy and meditation.

Alternative Treatments

Alternative treatments are those that are taken in place of prescribed cancer therapies. These alternatives have likely not been tested formally in a clinical setting and therefore have not been proven safe for cancer patients. There are even some of these alternatives that are harmful and may cause death. By indulging in these alternative remedies, you are actually delaying any chances that standard cancer therapies can be beneficial.

The decision is ultimately yours when it comes to these complementary and alternative treatments. Whatever you decide, consult with your doctor as to the possible ramifications of your choice. Be sure to steer clear of those remedies that tout cures for cancer. If there are any cancer cures, you can bet that the American Cancer Society and National Cancer Institute would be publicizing and endorsing them. In other words, take any product claims with a grain of salt and use common sense when choosing those complementary or alternative remedies.

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