Complementary Medicine
Some call it alternative, some call it non-conventional or traditional Chinese, and the medical community chooses complementary or integrative to indicate its willingness to consider such therapies along with its medical science traditions. In any case, these can include everything from herbal supplements to yoga to prayer. It just means any resource that is not found in doctors' offices or produced by pharmaceutical companies.
Women are turning to these resources for help dealing with cancer and its treatments' side effects. While some doctors are beginning to recommend some of these practices and supplements, others caution women against using them. Yet complementary approaches are being taught at medical schools, so expect to see more non-conventional treatments offered.
Still, patients should proceed with caution and always inform doctors of all supplements, herbal treatments and services they're using along with the formally-prescribed medications. Very little research has established efficacy for treatments, let alone standard dosages or frequencies, and some treatments, especially supplements, can interfere with therapies such as chemotherapy.
Many area hospitals, including Bloomington Hospital, the IU Simon Cancer Center and others in Indianapolis, are offering their own integrative or complementary treatments, so be sure to ask your own oncologist or medical professionals for referrrals.
Web sites:
- American Cancer Society
- National Cancer Institute's Office of Cancer Complementary and Alternative Medicine
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine
- Questions to ask a complementary medicine provider
- Questions for your traditional medical doctor about complementary medicine
- Society for Integrative Oncology
Resources in this area:
- Bloomington Hospital's Alternative Therapy
- Alternative Health Center, (812)333-8780. (Dr. Matthew Schulz)
- Acupuncture and Herbal Health, (812)391-1011, 333-8776. (Judy Sommerville)
- Lucinda Jordan, (812)334-0082.
- Advanced Pain Center, (812)334-8958.
- Pain Management Center, (812)333-7246.
- Rebound, Bloomington Hospital, (812)353-9378.
Resources in Indianapolis:
- Franciscan Center for Integrative Health at St. Francis Hospital in Indianapolis, (317)788-0507.
- IU Simon Cancer Center offers some treatments for breast cancer patients.
