The traditional treatment for thyroid cancer is a combination of chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgical removal of the thyroid, depending on how far the disease has progressed at the time of diagnosis. Although these treatments have a track record of success in many patients, they also come with severe side effects. If you are concerned about the toll traditional cancer treatments will take on you, there are some alternative thyroid cancer treatments to consider.
CAM Explained
CAM stands for complementary and alternative medicine. According to the National Cancer Institute, CAM describes any cancer treatment that falls outside of the standard radiation, chemotherapy and surgery approach. When you are exploring your alternative treatment options with your doctor, this term is one you may hear often. Note that alternative therapies are used in place of traditional treatments while complementary therapies are used alongside traditional treatments.
Integrated Therapy
Integrated therapy is another option for thyroid cancer treatment. Integrated therapy combines both CAM treatments and standard treatment. According to the National Cancer Institute, integrated therapy treats the whole patient, not just the cancer. For instance, your doctor will also be concerned with your emotional health as you go through your thyroid cancer treatment.
CAAT
Controlled Amino Acid Therapy, or CAAT, is a dietary treatment that has shown some promise in thyroid cancer treatment, according to the A.P. John Institute for Cancer Research. CAAT diets control amino acids and are believed to slow the growth of cancer cells. The diet is accompanied by a special amino acid supplement that is formulated specifically for thyroid cancer. The diet and the amino acid supplement may slow cancer growth but it is usually used in conjunction with chemotherapy or other treatment. If you are on chemotherapy, your doctor may ask you to restrict your diet even further.
Other Natural Remedies
Yoga, acupuncture, meditation, chiropractic care and herbal medications may help in thyroid cancer treatment, according to the Natural Remedies website. The National Cancer Institute also counts Chinese medicine, tai chi, reiki, reflexology and therapeutic touch as alternative treatments.
Warnings
Like all cancers, thyroid cancer is serious and can spread to other parts of the body if left untreated. Alternative therapies can be helpful in managing the side effects of thyroid cancer treatments, but forgoing more aggressive treatments in favor of using alternative therapies exclusively can be risky. Also, according to the National Cancer Institute, it is important to remember that just because therapies are natural does not mean that they are safe. Never start any kind of cancer treatment without first consulting with your doctor.
Tags: cancer treatment, thyroid cancer, Cancer Institute, National Cancer, National Cancer Institute, thyroid cancer treatment, your doctor
