Complementary Treatment

1. Diet


There is scientific evidence that poor nutrition can contribute to the development of breast cancer and other disease. Conventional medicine recognizes that eating fruits and vegetables, especially those with antioxidants which can found in carrots or yams, phytoestrogens which can found in soy-beans or soy flour, soy which can found in tofu or soy milk, fiber which can found in oatmeal or whole grain breads and genestein, a plant product that is a good source of estrogen which can found in soy beans and other soy proteins can reduce risk of developing cancer.

A high fruits and vegetable intake lowers the incidence of recurrence in women who have had breast cancer. Earlier scientific studies have demonstrated that people who eat vegetarian diets have lower overall incidence cancer. Fruits and vegetables contain antioxidants and carotenoids, both of which help protect healthy cells from damage caused by free radicals (substances produced by normal body functions such as breathing). Premenopausal women are suggested to eat soy and soy product such as tofu and tofu-based products. Avoid take selenium because there is a possibility that it may increase a woman’s risk of developing breast cancer. Selenium is found in meats, fish, grains and Brazil nuts.In addition, eat hormone-free meat and organic fruit to stay away from pesticides, some of which are carcinogenic.
 

2. Acupuncture


Acupunture is an ancient Chinese practice that has been practiced for at least 2,500 years. It’s based on the belief that energy flows in patterns through the body. Acupuncture is believed to correct the flow and qi plays an important role in evaluating patients and determining treatment. Acupuncture is useful for several side effects associated with cancer treatment:

• Nausea associated with chemotherapy
• Post-surgical pain
• Fatigue associated with breast cancer
• Improved immune response

Acupuncture has temporary, cumulative effect. If the effects last for a week after the first treatment, for example, they will last more than a week after the next treatment.

 
3. Mind-body medicine


The placebo effect is a good example of how strongly the mind can affect the body. Mind-body medicine is accomplished by altering the state of consciousness so patients can "harvest their own body’s ability to heal themselves" and can help with all the side effects of breast cancer and perhaps the cancer itself, but research is needed. There are many different ways of eliciting the mind-body response:

• Guided visual imagery
• Meditation and yoga
• Mindfulness
• Biofeedback
• Hypnosis

 
4. Spirituality


The power of prayer and spirituality is apparent. A well-known, unreplicated example is the San Francisco intercessory prayer study. Results show that intercessory prayer had beneficial therapeutic effects. Religious beliefs also can add purpose and meaning to life, as well as hope.
 

5. Physical medicine

Physical medicine includes the following:

• Osteopathy
• Chiropractic
• Tai chi
• Yoga

Osteopathy and chiropractic therapy is very useful after breast surgery. Traditional Chinese medicine relies on exercise techniques such as Qi Gong and Tai Chi to strengthen and balance chi, the life force, which flows through postulated energy channels known as meridians.
 

6. Herbal medicine


Herbal medicine is an area of alternative and complementary medicine with some similarities to chemotherapy in that they are both medicinal but which demands great caution for two reasons:

These herbs can interact with chemotherapy and other medications.Herbal products are sometimes poorly produced, not containing what they maintain are the ingredients, and the FDA doesn’t have strict control over them as it does with drugs. Herbal products may contain contaminants such as heavy lead, steroids, harmful bacteria and diazepam (Valium). These contents are not disclosed to the buyer. These impurities also make it difficult if not impossible to determine if research outcomes are accurate for pure herbal products.

 
7. Guided imagery


Guided imagery is a phenomenon. Imagery has three possible benefits:

• It can reduce anxiety and enhance the quality of life.
• It can boost the immune system.
• It can affect how the body works by tapping into the molecules where the mind and body connect. In a relaxed state are more in tune with those images.

Imagery gives more control over the situation or provides insight into what need to do to get desirable outcome. Imagery can also be used for pain relief and to control nausea. Breathing exercises are mostly used to control anxiety, which helps to ease the mind. Controlled breathing also serves as a connection between the mind and body. It is an automatic bodily function that can take control over. Slow, deep breathing changes body’s biology and brings into a deep, relaxed state. In many languages, ‘’breath’’ is the same words as "spirit".

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