It is true that traditional cancer treatment is not always effective. In fact, it often does not lead to complete curing. For this reason, some patients diagnosed with the condition might possibly decide to opt for an alternative treatment. It is worth discussing the effectiveness of these alternative treatments in greater detail.
Acupuncture has gained popularity as a helpful alternative cancer treatment. Several clinical trials have been performed to test the effectiveness of this method. The evidence shows that this form of traditional Chinese medicine treatment can provide for the boosting of the immune system. In turn, the body is more capable of fighting the disease.
However, the extent to which acupuncture is effective has not been determined. Additionally, there are medical forms of treatment that are designed to use the immune system for fighting cancer. These show a good level of effectiveness, but they are usually combined with other traditional treatment forms, such as surgery, for instance. Given all this it can be said that acupuncture may aid cancer treatment, but this alternative treatment cannot be used on its own.
The traditional Indian Ayurveda medicine and its methods can also be used as alternative cancer treatment. This type of treatment is designed to achieve a perfect balance between mind, body and soul with the use of different techniques. Even though these techniques have shown positive effects in coping with anxiety and pain, there is no medical evidence that they work to kill abnormal tumor cells. This is applicable to yoga as well.
Aromatherapy and essential oils are also sometimes used as an alternative form of treatment for cancer. Research results show that this therapy is effective for anxiety and depression relief. The topically applied oils have mild anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effects as well. However, these forms of therapy cannot treat cancer in any way.
This is true for hypnosis and other mind-body methods. It has been suggested that you can do everything using the power of your mind. This includes making a tumor disappear. The reality is that there is no clinical trial or any other kind of scientific evidence that the mind-body methods work. It is true however that hypnosis has shown positive results in helping patients cope with traditional medical treatment and with post-treatment side effects.
It has been suggested that a specific type of diet can treat and cure cancer. One of the most popular types of this form of alternative cancer treatment is Gerson therapy. It recommends the use of a detox diet plus nutritional supplements for releasing toxins from the body and curing it from the tumor. There is no scientific evidence of any kind to support the claim that Gerson therapy can treat cancer.
Similarly, the Gonzalez regimen, which includes the use of a specific diet as well as the intake of enzymes, dietary supplements and extracts from animal organs, has not been proven to work. Research on it is limited and results are conflicting. The intake of coenzyme Q10 is also sometimes used as an alternative cancer treatment, but there is no evidence of any kind that it can work effectively.
There are different pharmacologic and biological treatments that are used as alternatives to traditional medical forms of treating patients with cancer. These therapies involve the intake of different medications, complex natural substances and hormones. These are not designed to treat cancer, but it is thought that they might. Some of the most notable forms of pharmacological and biological alternative cancer treatment include the intake of antineoplastons, hydrazine sulfate, 714-X, laetrile and amygdalin.
Bovine and shark cartridge and the Newcastle disease virus are also used for treating cancer. The evidence for the effectiveness of all of these substances is inconclusive, if not missing at all. It is particularly important for patients undergoing traditional medical treatment not to adopt any of these methods without discussing it with their oncologist.
Overall, it can be safely said that the alternative cancer treatment has not been proven to be effective. Some of its forms may be effective as complementary to the traditional treatment. However, it is equally true that some of its forms can be possibly dangerous for patients.
It is particularly important to keep in mind that there are scammers offering alternative forms of curing cancer to ill people and their families in exchange for money. Given all the information presented above, no one c