When weighing treatment options for pleural mesothelioma patients, they frequently consider CAM, which stands for complementary and alternative medicine. Traditional mesothelioma treatments, such as chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation therapy, have yet to cure or improve the survival rates of pleural mesothelioma patients. These traditional cancer treatments are frequently aggressive and have side effects that some mesothelioma patients wish to avoid. Those diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma may consider non-traditional therapies for these reasons.
The terms alternative and complementary therapy refer to the approach of using nontraditional therapy. Nontraditional therapies are used in conjunction with standard treatment in complementary medicine. Such therapies are used in alternative medicine instead of standard treatment.
Another approach, known as integrative medicine, combines traditional and nontraditional therapies in a multidisciplinary and tailored method that addresses the specific needs of each individual patient. A number of cancer centers across the United States offer integrative oncology programs in which traditional cancer treatment specialists collaborate with alternative medicine health specialists.
A number of pleural mesothelioma survivors have already incorporated complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies into their treatment protocol, emphasizing the importance of working with licensed professionals. It is critical that you inform your primary doctor about the CAM therapies you intend to use so that they do not conflict with any other medications or treatments.
The Different Kinds of CAM
There are numerous complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies, some of which have been used for thousands of years by a large number of practitioners. CAM therapies are divided into the following categories:
Alternative Healthcare Systems
This category includes some of the world's oldest medical systems, such as traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurveda. Many of these systems were developed outside of and prior to the development of traditional medicine in the United States. The following are some other alternative medical systems.
Then there's acupuncture. This is actually promoted as an effective treatment for a variety of pain conditions. The World Health Organization evaluated acupuncture clinical trials and concluded that it can be an effective treatment for adverse reactions to radiation therapy and chemotherapy, such as headache, depression, vomiting, and nausea. There is also aromatherapy. Aromatherapy is the use of fragrant oils called essential oils that are distilled from various plants to change a patient's mood and improve one's physical, spiritual, and emotional balance.
Peppermint, lavender, lemon, chamomile, and jasmine are popular scents. Fragrant oils are inhaled through a mixture of oils and water vapor that is spread throughout a room, gently massaged into the skin, or simply added to bath water.
Coaching for Health
Patients who are capable of determining primary goals for themselves but require additional motivation and support turn to health coaching. A licensed health coach is committed to assisting the patient in achieving his or her own goals for becoming healthier—emotionally, physically, and spiritually—whether these goals are to exercise more or to improve overall life quality.