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When it comes to treating prostate cancer, many patients are turning to more natural and holistic alternatives to healing. Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) has been used to supplement treatment plans for a variety of conditions, including prostate cancer, since patients prefer the non-invasive methods with less side-effects. Although CAM therapies don’t treat the condition entirely, they help to diminish symptoms and side effects and may slow the progression of the disease.
Homeopathy and naturopathic medicine are two forms of CAM that prostate cancer patients can turn to as part of their treatment plan.
Homeopathic Medicine
Homeopathic medicine comes from natural substances, such as plants, minerals, and herbs and they can come in liquid or pill form. Even though homeopathy is a more natural treatment option, it’s not something that patients can prescribe on their own. A well-trained homeopathic physician needs to be consulted as to dosage and method of treatment. Homeopathy has been studied in treating prostate cancer, and even though more research needs to be done, studies have shown a reduction in tumor growth, cancer progression, and mortality rate after homeopathic treatmentsi.
Since homeopathy is a more gentle treatment option, resulting in few to no side effects, patients use it to help control further spread, or metastasis, of the disease, but it cannot cure prostate cancer on its own.
Naturopathic Medicine
At the Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA), patients have the option to enlist a naturopathic clinician as a consultant in support of other ongoing cancer treatments, in order to advance overall patient health and assist in maintaining their strength to fight the disease. Naturopathic clinicians suggest all-natural, non-toxic alternative therapies that support self-healing. Doctors at CTCA have been using naturopathic medicine to help protect the lining of the lower bowel and urinary tract that may be affected during procedures such as brachytherapy. Naturopathic medicine has also been used to help decrease side effects and discomfort of more invasive prostate cancer treatmentsii.
If you’re looking for an alternative treatment therapy for prostate cancer, ask your doctor if homeopathy or naturopathic medicine can help you improve your health and well-being.
i http://ict.sagepub.com/content/5/4/343.abstract
ii http://www.cancercenter.com/prostate-cancer/naturopathic-medicine.cfm |
