Alternative medicine
By Mayo Clinic staffNo complementary or alternative treatments will cure prostate cancer. However, complementary and alternative prostate cancer treatments may help you cope with the side effects of cancer and its treatment.
Alternative prostate cancer treatments that may help you cope with the stress and anxiety you may experience after your diagnosis include:
- Art therapy
- Dance or movement therapy
- Exercise
- Meditation
- Music therapy
- Relaxation techniques, such as guided imagery or muscle relaxation
- Spirituality
Ask your doctor to refer you to a professional who can help you learn to do these activities. Some require instruction, while others can be done on your own.
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- Prostate cancer. Fort Washington, Pa.: National Comprehensive Cancer Network. http://www.nccn.org/professionals/physician_gls/f_guidelines.asp. Accessed Jan. 9, 2012.
- What you need to know about prostate cancer. National Cancer Institute. http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/wyntk/prostate. Accessed Jan. 10, 2012.
- Abouassaly R, et al. Epidemiology, etiology and prevention of prostate cancer. In: Wein AJ, et al. Campbell-Walsh Urology. 10th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2012. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/208746819-6/0/1445/0.html. Accessed Jan. 10, 2012.
- Prostate cancer early detection. Fort Washington, Pa.: National Comprehensive Cancer Network. http://www.nccn.org/professionals/physician_gls/f_guidelines.asp. Accessed Jan. 9, 2012.
- Prostate cancer prevention (PDQ). National Cancer Institute. http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/prevention/prostate/healthprofessional. Accessed Jan. 10, 2012.
- Catalona WJ, et al. Definitive therapy for localized prostate cancer: An overview. In: Wein AJ, et al. Campbell-Walsh Urology. 10th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2012. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/208746819-6/0/1445/0.html. Accessed Jan. 16, 2012.
- McClure MW. Prostate cancer. In: Rakel D. Integrative Medicine. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/178018505-4/0/1494/0.html. Accessed Jan. 10, 2012.
- Distress management. Fort Washington, Pa.: National Comprehensive Cancer Network. http://www.nccn.org/professionals/physician_gls/f_guidelines.asp. Accessed Jan. 10, 2012.
- Castle EP (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Phoenix/Scottsdale, Ariz. Jan. 25, 2012.
- Moynihan TJ (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Jan. 27, 2012.


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