Cancer and complementary therapies

Increasingly, cancer patients are also exploring complementary therapies. Some hospitals even offer some of these in tandem with mainstream treatments.

• Relaxation, meditation and visualisation – these techniques can all help reduce the stress of living with cancer. While there is no direct evidence that stress causes the disease, there is good evidence that a positive attitude can help treatment. This doesn't come from telling everyone you're fine even if you're not, or from smiling all the time, it comes from within. Whatever helps you to develop that inner strength can be worthwhile.
• Massage, aromatherapy, acupuncture and reflexology – even if you don't buy the more mystical explanations offered by some practitioners of these treatments, there's no doubt that they can reduce pain, unlock stress and reduce muscle tension.