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Alternative medicine

By Mayo Clinic staff

Living With Cancer

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Alternative medicine treatments can't cure anal cancer. But some alternative medicine treatments may help you cope with the side effects of cancer treatment. Your doctor can treat many side effects, but sometimes medications aren't enough. Alternative treatments can complement your doctor's treatments and may offer additional comfort.

Options for common side effects include:

  • Anxiety — massage, meditation, hypnosis, music therapy, exercise or relaxation techniques
  • Fatigue — gentle exercise or tai chi
  • Nausea — acupuncture, hypnosis or music therapy
  • Pain — acupuncture, massage, music therapy or hypnosis
  • Sleep problems — yoga or relaxation techniques

While these options are generally safe, talk it over with your doctor first to be sure that alternative medicine options won't interfere with your cancer treatment.

Coping and support Treatments and drugs
References
  1. Deng GE, et al. Evidence-based clinical practice guidelines for integrative oncology: Complementary therapies and botanicals. Journal of the Society for Integrative Oncology. 2009;7:85.
  2. Anal carcinoma. Fort Washington, Pa.: National Comprehensive Cancer Network. http://www.nccn.org/professionals/physician_gls/PDF/anal.pdf. Accessed Oct. 19, 2010.
  3. Anal cancer treatment (PDQ). National Cancer Institute. http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/anal/patient. Accessed Oct. 19, 2010.
  4. Malik U, et al. Cancer of the anal canal. In: Abeloff MD, et al. Abeloff's Clinical Oncology. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Churchill Livingstone; 2008:1557.
  5. Gardasil (prescribing information). Whitehouse Station, N.J.: Merck & Co. Inc.; 2009. http://www.merck.com/product/usa/pi_circulars/g/gardasil/gardasil_pi.pdf. Accessed Oct. 20, 2010.
  6. Cervarix (prescribing information). Research Triangle Park, N.C.: GlaxoSmithKline; 2009. http://us.gsk.com/products/assets/us_cervarix.pdf. Accessed Oct. 20, 2010.
  7. Joseph DA, et al. Understanding the burden of human papillomavirus-associated anal cancers in the U.S. Cancer. 2008;113(suppl):2892.
  8. Moynihan TJ (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Oct. 28, 2010.
DS00852 Dec. 23, 2010

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