I believe that each person must decide for herself. Choices in Healing by Michael Lerner provides good, reliable information. Beware of inflated promises.

I had a lot of healing parties with friends and even put a healing altar next to my bed. It had on it everything from every religion you could possibly imagine. I kept the altar in place during my entire chemotherapy. I was advised not to add anything to my body that is not naturally found there (vitamins and supplements in a larger dosage has never been tested with chemotherapy), and therefore my oncologist was not comfortable with my taking homeopathic remedies.
(Dawn, North Hollywood, CA, diagnosed in 2001 at age 47)

Many people sent me articles and called me about alternative therapies. I read books and found some on my own. I experimented with Tai Chi, visualization and meditation techniques. My visualization attempts during radiation turned into cartoons, every time. I just kept visualizing this fluffy cloud as the healthy cells and this really ditsy black cloud as the cancer cells. It was kind of weird. Meditation helped me considerably. I tried many different types and with tapes, but the best was the breathing meditation, where you focus on your breathing and count your breaths. I felt better than I had felt in years with just 10 minutes in the morning and 10 minutes later in the day. It gave me energy and kept me calm and peaceful.
(Donna Tremblay, diagnosed in 1992 at age 33, recurrence in 1996))

Counseling is a very good idea.
(Jennifer, diagnosed in 2001 at age 27)

I tried naturopathy, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and have researched and taken supplements and antioxidants. My regime is brisk walking daily and a high fiber diet.
(Yvette, Victoria, BC, diagnosed in 2002 at age 47)

I went to a naturopath prior to lymph node surgery, took lotions and potions and pills. My doctors were aware that I was seeing naturopath and didn’t necessarily approve. Going to the gym really helped me. My GP knew what supplements could affect my conventional therapy and we stayed clear of them.
(Heather Resnick, Thornhill, ON, diagnosed in 1997 at age 43)

I went to a herb doctor. He gave me a treatment as a kind of counterbalance against all the chemical products that went around in my body. I think it did me real good. I took some vitamins and supplement. I told my chemotherapist about it, but she was not very enthusiastic and said, “I hope these products are not toxic.”
(Annemie D’haveloose, Belgium)

I went to a herb doctor. He gave me a treatment as a kind of counterbalance against all the chemical products that went around in my body. I think it did me real good. I took some vitamins and supplement. I told my chemotherapist about it, but she was not very enthusiastic and said, “I hope these products are not toxic.”
(Annemie D’haveloose, Belgium)

I was going to physiotherapy several times a week. After the axilla dissection, I had developed a frozen shoulder and was in absolute agony most of the time. My therapist, a young Asian girl, suggested I try acupuncture. No thanks, I have had enough of needles. But as time progressed and the frozen shoulder didn’t improve, I decided to give the acupuncture a try. Lo and behold, after only a few treatments I was able to raise my arm above my shoulder. With diligent exercising and continued therapy, I am now able to do almost anything. I exercise daily using half a broomstick to reach as far as I can above my head. Simple exercises have kept me mobile. Later I began Tai Chi. What a wonderful experience! I am becoming a believer in the ancient Chinese ways. Tai Chi for me has been a lifeline to looking and feeling better.
(Virginia, diagnosed in 2001 at age 57)

I found being open to all the healing options offered to me gave me a sense of having some control in my life, at a time when I needed it most. Keeping focused on healing rather than dying gave me more power over my choice to live. I walked daily because the nervous tension had built up so much that I had to release it physically. I tried a variety of healing methods, from going to a “Peyote healing ceremony,” relaxation tapes and meditation and First Nations Sweat Lodges. The nights were the worst, sleeping was a problem for me. There were no distractions when the rest of the world was sleeping and I couldn’t seem to shut my “dark” thoughts off at bedtime so I finally agreed to take a sleeping pill. I had read that the body heals while we sleep. During my radiation treatments I took a natural product called Valerian as a relaxant. I had chosen to take a spiritual and naturopathic approach and combine it with conventional medicine to try and heal my body, soul, and spirit. I went to a naturopathic doctor and, under his care, began to feel stronger physically and mentally. I joined relaxation groups and took an art therapy session.
(Sharon Tilton Urdahl)

I found being open to all the healing options offered to me gave me a sense of having some control in my life, at a time when I needed it most. Keeping focused on healing rather than dying gave me more power over my choice to live. I walked daily because the nervous tension had built up so much that I had to release it physically. I tried a variety of healing methods, from going to a “Peyote healing ceremony,” relaxation tapes and meditation and First Nations Sweat Lodges. The nights were the worst, sleeping was a problem for me. There were no distractions when the rest of the world was sleeping and I couldn’t seem to shut my “dark” thoughts off at bedtime so I finally agreed to take a sleeping pill. I had read that the body heals while we sleep. During my radiation treatments I took a natural product called Valerian as a relaxant. I had chosen to take a spiritual and naturopathic approach and combine it with conventional medicine to try and heal my body, soul, and spirit. I went to a naturopathic doctor and, under his care, began to feel stronger physically and mentally. I joined relaxation groups and took an art therapy session.
(Sharon Tilton Urdahl)

When I first came home, I was into the healthy lifestyle mode and probably drove my family crazy with healthy eating, over-the-top paranoia, and finally I did quieten it down a bit. I try to be careful although I don’t think my diet caused breast cancer. I do yoga, am back at the gym and I dragon boat, which is wonderful. I try to lead a less stressful life, and I definitely look at life differently.

During chemotherapy and radiation, I used complementary therapies, including acupuncture and supplements. The nutritionist I went to works at the same hospital I was treated at and is a physician himself. He looked over my medical file and created a specialized supplement and vitamin list for me to take to boost my strength and immune system, to alleviate side effects as well as making sure none of the supplements interfered with any of the treatments.
(Dikla, North Hollywood, CA)

I practice biofeedback (a treatment technique in which people are trained to improve their health by using signals from their own bodies) for a disability of many years which also helps me relax. I try to walk and take vitamins.

The doctors didn’t recommend any complementary or alternative treatments at all. However, from a friend, I learned about Essiac tea and this really helped how I felt. I wish that nutritional therapy was part of the healing program for patients today. I am a big believer in alternative and complementary procedures. I have learned about the oils for healing, hands on healing, nutrition, emotional release, and more.
(Beverly Vote, Lebanon, MO, diagnosed in 2002 at age 37)

I feel that cancer treatment is a big puzzle with many pieces. Traditional medicine, complementary/alternative therapies, and spirituality are all needed to help deal with cancer. Each serves a purpose. I have used massage therapy, acupuncture, a homeopathic doctor, a naturopath, and a nutritionist. I have attended relaxation classes, cancer retreats, support groups, yoga classes, and Tai Chi. I also use relaxation and guided imagery. My oncologist has been very supportive of these alternatives. I have not been using any naturopathic drugs since I have been in active chemo treatment.
(Kathy Reeve, North Vancouver, BC, diagnosed in 2000 at age 32)

I did relaxation and visualization during my chemo and then listened to a special tape I had when I would go to bed. My surgeon was very happy knowing I was using the tapes. He also suggested keeping a journal.

I asked my oncologist at the Cancer Clinic about natural estrogens in soy products because some tumors are caused by excess estrogen. She said not to drink 8 cups of soymilk a day and to have tofu in moderation. Vitamin C during radiation can interfere with the treatment.

Tried hypnosis but it didn’t help. Took some vitamins during treatment, and told my doctor. High doses of antioxidants may interfere with the radiation or chemo. After treatment, I started taking a lot of stuff to boost my immune system, which had been devastated. My present oncologist was really impressed with my bloodwork and said, “I don’t know what you’re doing, but whatever it is, keep on doing it!” I told her that I eat a lot of fruits and veggies, and work out every day, but didn’t mention the supplements. Many doctors are prejudiced against herbs, and I was afraid that she might say that it had interfered with the tests.

One of the most helpful things I did was call my friend who is a psychic healer. She used guided imagery and made a tape of this so I could use it at home. Trying to do this on my own was difficult because my mind was exploding with all the info and emotions, and I couldn’t quiet myself. As a lifeline when I started to have negative thoughts, Susan had me memorize six positive aspects of my situation. I also journaled and wrote poetry. The writing process was very healing for me.

So, did I mention that the tamoxifen is horrible? I started taking black cohosh. None of my doctors could tell me if this was a good thing or a bad thing. None would recommend it and none would tell me to stop. Does it work? Who cares; when I’m on it I seem to have fewer hot flashes and night sweats. If it’s a placebo effect, bring it on!

I never bothered with alternative treatments although Lord knows
everyone tries to offer you one. Psychologically, if I ever had a sad moment, I’d turn on music from the 60s and dance in the house alone, and it really helped. Other times, I’d get in the bathtub and cry my eyes out. Once that was done, I’d get dressed and go out and treat myself to a coffee.
(Laura, Navarra, Spain, diagnosed in 1998 at age 41)

I saw a chiropractor and massage therapist during my treatments. I truly feel these things increased my energy level as well as my mental state. I attribute my relative ease with chemo to incorporating these treatments into my overall cancer plan.
(Julie Austin, Little Rock, AR, diagnosed in 2000 at age 30)

Now that I am medication-free, I am looking into these therapies. A Chinese friend of mine has me drinking green tea everyday. And don’t forget... laughter is always the best medicine!

I’ve always been the type to take vitamins and supplements, but my oncologist warned me against all of them while I was on chemo. Since my tumor was estrogen receptor positive, I also avoid soy or any type of phytoestrogen. A lot of the low-carb foods contain soy so we need to be aware of this before using these products. Nothing has helped with hot flashes. I know some women have success with antidepressants and blood pressure medications, but nothing has worked for me. I’m ready to try acupuncture! Maybe that would help.

My sister-in-law sent me vitamins and supplements, and I believe that is what helped me to heal so quickly. I returned to work in four weeks.

My medical oncologist’s advice about vitamins was, “Don’t take even Vitamin C without telling me.” I do not take any alternative treatments but I do attend a Healing Circle every week where we do a “Reiki/healing touch hands” on for each person, lasting around five minutes. My Healing Circle is instrumental to my recovery.

I did not participate in any alternative treatments before, during or after my breast surgery. Many of my friends are on hormone replacement therapy, which, of course, I cannot do. They don’t know how I can stand it without taking HRT or something. My thinking is that anything, even the so-called natural treatments such as soy and black cohosh and other such remedies are not proven or even regulated, so who knows what they can do, especially in conjunction with some other prescription or over-the-counter drugs.

I think that alternative treatments can be dangerous if they replace the medical treatment. They may also give you false hope and loss of money. I think that right nutrition is very important. Your diet should be balanced to prevent cancer and also to recover from cancer.
(Katariina Rautalahti, Järvenpää, Finland, diagnosed in 1999 at age 41)

Saw a naturopath, but wasn’t impressed. Too expensive, too weird, and she injected my scars with some naturopathic remedy without first asking me. Had a Healing Touch treatment and didn’t really get anything out of it. Had another several months later and started crying uncontrollably, then felt lighter and freer than I had in months. Had an auric healing a year after treatment and felt a surge of energy going through my arm and breast. I felt great after, as some of the numbness went away immediately, and my arm pain was gone for hours after. I never consulted my doctor about any of these, but I’m sure he’d be fine about them. I lost a lot of weight on chemo, because I just couldn’t eat. I believe now that my body knew what it was doing and semi-starvation was what it needed to fight the cancer. Maybe I’m just fooling myself, but I tend now to not try to “control” my body so much and pay more attention to what it asks of me.
(Judith Quinlan, diagnosed in 2001 at age 52)

I investigated and used lots of complementary methods. I was really looking for whatever would increase my odds of survival and ease the difficulty of my experience. I used meditation and guided imagery religiously, I exercised, tried out Yoga and Tai Chi, attended a Wellness Center support group, journaled extensively, received Healing Touch and massage, and continued seeing my natural health chiropractor. I did take some natural supplements but talked it over with my doctor.

Meditation, yoga, and journaling. Walking, resting, reading great books. Laughing with friends or funny movies. Not only will it boost your immune system by creating peace of mind and contentment, but it adds quality to your life no matter how long you live. Doctors don’t know nearly enough about vitamins and alternative treatments. I have had to seek out everything by myself... even good doctors that are supportive, in general, don’t know anything about them.
(Janel Dolan Jones, Fort Worth, TX)

I do a lot of visualization. I feel it is an activator of the immune system.

I took baking soda and sea salt baths (a pound of each in a tub of hot water, soak for 20 minutes), at the end of each week to release the radiation. I found it relaxing and cleansing, and sometimes I added a few drops of essential oils, such as frankincense, to the bath. I used pure aloe on my breast. I make my own deodorant with pure, natural ingredients that don’t clog the pores. I juiced and it served me very well. Some felt it’s too much work but to me, it’s live or die. There is no one magic bullet. There are many steps to health, and they all work together. Faith played a huge part in my healing.

I went to get my intestines cleaned but my oncologist scolded me afterwards.

I see a massage therapist on a regular basis and that is all I really needed.
(Cindy, Cedarburg, WI, diagnosed at age 41)

I avoided all the vitamins and herbs to lessen the risk they would interfere with treatments. I did attend deep relaxation sessions and one-on-one counseling. I also learned to perform therapeutic touch and took aikido classes.
(Dawn, Victoria, BC)

Multiple vitamin... that’s all. Herbal tea for nausea.