Medical goods and procedures that are not part of traditional medical treatment are referred to as complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). Cancer patients can utilize complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) to:
- Assist in coping with cancer treatment side effects such as nausea, pain, and weariness.
- Feel as if they are contributing to their own care by comforting themselves and easing the fears of cancer treatment and accompanying stress.
- Treating or curing their cancer
Integrative medicine is a type of medical treatment that integrates traditional medicine with complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) techniques that have been scientifically proven to be safe and effective. This method places a strong emphasis on the patient’s preferences while also attempting to treat mental, physical, and spiritual elements of wellness.
Conventional medicine is a system in which health practitioners with an M.D. (medical doctor) or D.O. (doctor of osteopathy) degree use medications, radiation, or surgery to treat symptoms and illnesses. Other health professionals, such as nurses, pharmacists, physician assistants, and therapists, practice it as well.
Standard medical care is treatment that is accepted by medical experts as a proper treatment for a certain type of disease and that is widely used by healthcare professionals. Also called best practice, standard of care, and standard therapy.
Complementary medicine is used along with standard medical treatment but is not considered by itself to be standard treatment. One example is using acupuncture to help lessen some side effects of cancer treatment.
Alternative medicine is used instead of standard medical treatment. One example is using a special diet to treat cancer instead of cancer drugs that are prescribed by an oncologist.