How Can Integrative Medicine Help Cancer Patients?
Although alternative medicine cannot cure cancer, Integrative Medicine can help improve the quality of life for a cancer patient. Its focus is the total well-being of the patient and is person-centered, rather than disease-centered. These treatments do not aim to replace conventional treatments, but rather are used alongside conventional cancer treatments. Although physicians have been slow to recognize the benefits of Integrative Medicine, there is now more interest in using Integrative Medicine with cancer. Some cancer centers are now supplying information and resources for Integrative Medicine for patient use. These include Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and MD Anderson Cancer Center. Many centers are also carrying out research to determine which alternative treatments are most effective. Some cancer centers are now hiring a team of alternative practitioners to work with the oncologist to help the patient. Dr. Lucille Marchland is an integrative and palliative medicine physi
