| A wide variety of alternative breast cancer | | | | beans, seaweed and soups. This diet is promoted for |
| treatments exist today. While “alternative” | | | | both cancer prevention and treatment, though there |
| treatments are defined as practices that replace | | | | is no proof that is has any affect on either. In |
| traditional treatments, most breast cancer patients | | | | general, a healthy diet—one that includes fruits, |
| use them in combination with conventional medicine. | | | | vegetables and protein—provides the reserves of |
| Generally, alternative treatments are not | | | | nutrients needed to maintain a strong immune |
| acknowledged by the medical community as standard | | | | system and cope with the adverse side of effects |
| medical practices and therefore, many patients do | | | | of treatments. |
| not inform their doctors when using these | | | | Herbal supplements are plant extracts and have long |
| therapies. Examples of alternative treatments | | | | been used for a variety of health purposes. While |
| include acupuncture, massage, megavitamins, herbal | | | | they may be labeled as “natural,” it |
| supplements, nutrition, and magnetic therapy, to | | | | doesn’t mean that they are safe or even good |
| name a few. | | | | for the body. The fact is that herbal supplements |
| Practiced for thousands of years, acupuncture | | | | can act like a drug and may be harmful when taken |
| involves the stimulation of specific points on the body | | | | in large amounts. There are few regulations in place |
| using a hair-thin needle, or other method, to restore | | | | to control the quality and safety of these products. |
| the body’s internal balance and energy flow. | | | | In 2007, the FDA did initiate new regulations to help |
| Acupuncture may be used for pain relief and to | | | | improve this, but many are not effective until 2010. |
| control side effects from chemotherapy. | | | | Cancer experts often recommend that patients avoid |
| Massage involves manual manipulation of muscles and | | | | dietary supplements altogether. |
| soft tissue. It is believed that massage enhances | | | | These are just a few of the many alternative breast |
| the function of those muscles and tissues involved, | | | | cancer treatments available. When facing a life |
| while promoting relaxation. It is often used together | | | | threatening illness, such as breast cancer, a feeling of |
| with other therapies. Available scientific evidence | | | | desperation may be experienced while searching for |
| does not support claims that massage slows or | | | | treatments. As a result, the patient may develop an |
| reverses the growth or spread of cancer. | | | | “I’ll try anything” mentality. While |
| Megavitamin treatments usually involve very high | | | | it’s important to keep an open mind about new |
| doses of vitamins A, C and E. While the body | | | | treatment options, it’s more important to |
| requires these and other vitamins for optimal health, | | | | approach alternative treatments with caution. Be |
| too much of a single vitamin may be harmful and | | | | upfront and honest with everyone involved in |
| even interfere with other treatments. A healthy | | | | treating your disease before starting any alternative |
| diet, one that offers lots of fruits and vegetables, | | | | therapies. Many of these may be safe, but there |
| eliminates the need for vitamin supplements. More is | | | | may also be risks involved when combining alternative |
| not always better. | | | | and traditional medicine. Ultimately, the decision for |
| Good nutrition is always important, but for anyone | | | | any treatment is up to the patient. Choosing one |
| fighting breast cancer, or any cancer, it’s crucial. | | | | treatment over another should be based on |
| Though there are many, one alternative nutrition | | | | knowledge, not fear. Remember, knowledge is |
| treatment is the macrobiotic diet. This diet is strictly | | | | power. |
| vegetarian and includes whole grains, vegetables, | | | | |