Download therapies - Macmillan Cancer Support

A practical guide to living
with and after cancer
cancer and
complementary
therapies
Macmillan and Cancerbackup have merged.
Together we provide free, high quality information for all.
Contents
Contents
About Cancer and complementary therapies 5
Conventional, complementary and alternative therapies
6
Complementary therapies and cancer 8
Choosing a therapy
10
Types of complementary therapy
16
Mind-body therapies
17
Massage therapy
22
Energy-based therapies
25
Physical therapies
32
Therapies using herbs, plant extracts, foods
or supplements 36
Alternative therapies
49
Types of alternative therapy
52
Feelings, personality and cancer
60
Psychological and self-help therapies
63
How we can help you
67
Other useful organisations
71
Further resources
81
Questions you might like to ask your doctor, nurse
or therapist
85
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4
About Cancer and complementary therapies
About Cancer and
complementary therapies
This booklet gives you a brief introduction to
some of the complementary therapies most
often used by people with cancer.
We hope it gives you a balanced view of what’s available
so that, if you want to try a complementary therapy, you’ll
have a realistic idea of what it will involve and how it may help
you. There are many different types of complementary therapy.
It’s not possible to describe them all in this booklet, but we
describe the most common ones on pages 16–47.
We’ve also included information to help you to use
complementary therapies safely, as some may not be suitable
if you have a particular type of cancer or during some types
of treatment. Safety issues to remember are highlighted in
green boxes.
This booklet can’t take the place of advice from your doctor,
who knows your full medical history. It’s important to tell your
hospital specialist if you’re having any form of complementary
or alternative therapy and to let your complementary or
alternative therapist know that you have cancer.
If you’d like to discuss this information, call the Macmillan
Support Line free on 0808 808 00 00, Monday–Friday,
9am–8pm. If you’re hard of hearing, you can use textphone
0808 808 0121, or Text Relay. For non-English speakers,
interpreters are available. Alternatively, visit macmillan.org.uk
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Cancer and complementary therapies
Turn to pages 71–84 for some useful addresses and websites,
and page 85 to write down any questions for your doctor,
nurse or therapist.
If you find this booklet helpful, you could pass it on to your
family and friends. They may also want information to help
them support you.
Conventional,
complementary and
alternative therapies
Conventional therapies are the medical treatments doctors
use to treat people with cancer. Surgery, radiotherapy,
chemotherapy, hormonal and biological therapies are all
conventional treatments.
Complementary and alternative therapies or CAM
(complementary and alternative medicines) are other
treatments sometimes used by people with cancer. These
treatments are often grouped together, but there can be
important differences between them based on how and
why they are used. Often a treatment can be complementary
if used in one way and alternative if used in another.
Complementary therapies are usually used alongside
conventional therapies. They aren’t used to cure cancer.
Instead, they are used to boost physical or emotional health.
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Conventional, complementary and alternative therapies
They may also be used to help relieve the symptoms of
cancer or the side effects of conventional treatments.
Complementary medicine is also sometimes called integrated
or integrative medicine.
While complementary therapies are generally used in addition
to conventional treatments, the term alternative therapy is
often used to refer to treatments that are used in place of
conventional treatments.
Some alternative therapies claim to actively treat or even cure
cancer, but no alternative therapies have been proven to cure
cancer or slow its growth.
Conventional treatments for cancer are scientifically tested
and researched so that their safety, effectiveness and possible
side effects are known. However, alternative therapies don’t
go through the same rigorous testing. This means that their
benefits in treating cancer are unclear and some alternative
therapies may even be harmful. Using an alternative therapy
instead of conventional cancer treatment could reduce the
chance of your cancer being cured or controlled. Pages 49–59
have more information about alternative therapies.
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Cancer and complementary therapies
Complementary therapies
and cancer
There are many reasons for using complementary therapies.
They can be a good way of helping you cope with some of
the stresses caused by cancer and cancer treatments. Many
therapies are relaxing, and having an enjoyable experience
may lift your spirits when you aren’t feeling your best. Some
complementary therapies can also help to relieve specific
symptoms or side effects caused by cancer or its treatments.
Many people regard using complementary therapies as a
positive choice they can make for their health and well-being.
You may be looking for ways to make positive lifestyle changes
and see complementary therapies as one way of doing this.
You may want to use them to try to boost your health before,
during or after cancer treatment.
‘It was important for me…to feel I was actively
doing something to make myself…as prepared
as I could be for the treatment.’
Some people say that the relationship they develop with
their complementary therapist is an additional benefit.
Complementary therapists usually work with the person as
a whole, not just the part of the body where the cancer is.
This is called a holistic approach and is something good
healthcare practitioners also do. Many people say talking
to their complementary therapist is a valued part of their
complementary treatment. Someone who listens may help you
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Complementary therapies and cancer
cope with difficult feelings, which can be an effective way of
getting back some control. If you use therapies as part of a
group, you may also have an opportunity to meet others who
share similar experiences in a positive environment.
‘The yoga group gave me such confidence in
myself, they changed my way of thinking.’
Complementary therapies may help:
• you feel more in control
• improve your quality of life
• reduce stress, tension and anxiety
• you sleep better
• relieve some cancer symptoms
• lessen some of the side effects of cancer treatment.
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Cancer and complementary therapies
Choosing a therapy
When choosing a therapy, it can be helpful to think about how
it may benefit you, what you would like to do, if there are any
safety issues and how much the treatment costs.
You can read more about possible benefits of different therapies
and how they may help you in the following chapters of this
booklet. See pages 71–84 for details of other organisations
that can give you information on complementary therapies.
If you would like to know what other people have found
helpful, you can contact a local cancer support group.
Alternatively, if you have internet access, you can join an online
cancer community. Communities make it possible for people
affected by cancer to give and get support, and to share
their experiences of all aspects of their treatment, including
complementary therapies. You can join our online community
at macmillan.org.uk/community
The website healthtalkonline has interviewed people about their
experiences of complementary therapies and cancer. You can
see what they say at healthtalkonline.com
Your preferences
To help you decide what feels right for you, it may help to think
about what you want from the therapy.
This may include:
• relaxation
• managing a specific symptom
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Choosing a therapy
• help coping with your feelings
• a general boost
• making a positive lifestyle change.
Also consider:
• Are there some types of therapy that particularly appeal
to you or fit with your beliefs or outlook on life?
• What’s available in your area?
• Are treatments free or, if you have to pay, how much can
you afford?
• Do you want a one-off treatment or something to
do regularly?
‘Complementary therapies to me mean a bit
of indulgence, massage, “me time”.‘
Safety
Some complementary therapies may not be suitable if you
have a particular type of cancer or may not be suitable to use
with some treatments.
Before using a complementary therapy, check if it could
have any effects that could be harmful to you. It’s also
important to check whether it could interact with your cancer
treatment, make it less effective or increase side effects. Look
out for safety issues to consider highlighted in green boxes
throughout this booklet. Remember, this can’t take the place of
advice from your doctor.
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Cancer and complementary therapies
Most doctors are happy for their patients to use complementary
therapies. It’s important to tell your hospital specialist if you’re
having any form of complementary therapy, especially if you’re
going to have one that involves taking herbs, pills or medicines.
Pages 71–84 list useful organisations where you can check the
best current evidence about many herbs and supplements used
in complementary therapies.
If you’re having treatment from a complementary therapist, it’s
important to let them know that you have cancer.
Cost
Therapies can be expensive, particularly if used over a long
period of time. Check the cost of treatment beforehand. If you’re
paying for the treatment yourself, make sure you’re being fairly
charged. Some private practitioners offer a sliding scale of
charges. The organisations listed on pages 71–84 should be
able to give you an idea of the usual cost.
Some complementary therapies are provided free by the NHS.
Ask your doctor or nurse if there are complementary therapies
available at your hospital, hospice or through your GP’s practice.
Some cancer support groups offer therapies free of charge or
at a reduced cost.
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Choosing a therapy
Getting information about therapies
Everyone’s situation is unique. Before making any decisions
about complementary therapies, make sure you have all the
information you need and speak to your doctor.
Ask to have an initial consultation with a complementary
therapist to find out what they feel their therapy can do for you.
See our tips on choosing a therapist and what to ask them on
the next page.
You may find it helpful to take a relative or friend with you for
support. It can help to write down the questions that matter
most to you beforehand. You can then take time to decide
whether you want to go ahead with treatment and think about
the best option for you. There’s space for you to write any
questions you’d like to ask on page 85.
The Macmillan Support Line on 0808 808 00 00 can give
you information on complementary and alternative therapies,
and on how to find a suitable therapist. They can also help you
find a support group offering complementary therapy services
in your area.
You can also find information about therapies in books from
the library and on the internet. Be careful when choosing
what to read or believe on the internet. Some websites carry
claims that aren’t backed up by evidence and others may be
selling products for profit. There’s a list of websites that are
reliable sources of information at the end of this booklet on
pages 83–84.
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Cancer and complementary therapies
Choosing a complementary therapist
It’s important to use a registered practitioner. For each therapy
mentioned in this booklet, we give details of an organisation
that can help you find a qualified and registered therapist.
• Always use a qualified therapist who belongs to a
professional body. The organisations on pages 71–84
can give you names of registered therapists and advice
on what to look for.
• Ask the organisation about the level of qualification their
practitioners have.
• Check if the organisation has a code of practice and ethics,
and also a disciplinary and complaints procedure (the better
organisations will have this).
• Ask the practitioner how many years of training they’ve had
and how long they’ve been practising.
• Ask if they have indemnity insurance (in case of negligence).
• Don’t be misled by promises of a cure. No reputable
therapist would claim to be able to cure cancer.
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Cancer and complementary therapies
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Cancer and complementary therapies
Types of
complementary therapy
There are many types of complementary therapy. Some
are based on traditional medical systems outside of western
medicine such as Traditional Chinese Medicine or Indian
Ayurvedic Medicine.
For simplicity, we have divided the various complementary
therapies into five groups:
• mind-body therapies
• massage therapy
• energy-based therapies
• physical therapies
• therapies using herbs, supplements or diet.
But therapies can be grouped in other ways and some may fit
into more than one group.
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Mind-body therapies
Mind-body therapies
This section discusses some of the most popular and widely
available mind-body therapies used by people with cancer
in the UK:
• relaxation
• visualisation
• hypnotherapy
• meditation
• art therapy
• music therapy.
Mind-body therapies are based on the belief that what we think
and feel can affect our health and healing. They are available
in many cancer treatment centres and are often given as part
of conventional support for people affected by cancer.
Mind-body therapies may help you feel less anxious and can
improve your mood and the quality of your sleep. They can
also be used to ease symptoms, such as pain, or to reduce
some side effects caused by cancer treatment. Some mindbody therapies, such as cognitive-behavioural therapy, were
once considered complementary medicine but have become
a part of conventional medicine
Most mind-body techniques need to be practised regularly for
you to get the best results. Many people find that attending
group classes helps motivate them to keep practising. Some
NHS services and support groups offer mind-body therapies.
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Cancer and complementary therapies
You can ask if they are provided at your hospital or if they can
be accessed through your GP.
Call us on 0808 808 00 00 for details of support
groups in your area.
Relaxation
Simple breathing and relaxation exercises can help reduce
anxiety and stress. As well as calming your mind, they may
also reduce muscle tension and positively affect the parts
of the nervous system that control blood pressure and the
digestive system. Relaxation can sometimes be used together
with meditation and visualisation.
Almost everyone can use relaxation techniques. You can learn
them as part of a group or at home using a CD. There’s a list
of organisations that provide relaxation CDs on page 82.
Visualisation (mental imagery)
This technique involves creating images in your mind while
you are in a state of relaxation or meditation. For example,
you might imagine that:
• you’re lying in a field full of beautiful flowers
• you’re healthy and strong
• the sun’s rays are shining on you, warming you and giving
you strength.
The theory is that by imagining a peaceful scene you will feel
more relaxed, and by imagining yourself being healthy you can
influence the health of your body. To see how imagination can
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Mind-body therapies
produce physical changes, picture a lemon being cut in front
of you. Most people who do this will notice that they start to
produce more saliva.
Various research studies are looking at whether visualisation
can improve outcomes for people with cancer. Some studies
have found that women having treatment for breast cancer
have been able to improve their mood using visualisation.
Other research has shown that, for some people, visualisation
or guided imagery can reduce the symptoms of cancer or the
side effects of treatment.
Meditation
Meditation uses concentration or reflection to deeply relax and
calm the mind, helping to reduce feelings of fear, pain, anxiety
and depression.
Regular meditation practice can help people feel more in
control of themselves and their lives. Many studies have shown
that regular meditation lowers blood pressure and reduces the
pulse rate, as well as anxiety and stress levels.
‘I’ve tried some meditation…you’d be
concentrating so much you wouldn’t be thinking
about other things – that is really helpful.’
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Cancer and complementary therapies
People who have mental health problems, such as
psychosis, may find that some types of meditation make
their psychiatric illness worse. If you have or have had
a mental illness, it’s important to get advice from your
doctor before attempting meditation.
If you go for meditation somewhere other than the hospital,
it’s best to talk to an instructor from an established meditation
organisation before trying it. It’s also helpful to practise in a
group until you are familiar with the meditation technique.
Hypnotherapy (hypnosis)
Many people use hypnosis to help them make positive lifestyle
changes, such as giving up smoking, or to encourage positive
emotions, such as calmness and relaxation. Hypnosis can
also be used to reduce some side effects of cancer treatment,
such as nausea and vomiting, or to manage symptoms, such
as pain.
The hypnotherapist leads you into a deeply relaxed
state (trance) during which you remain conscious of your
surroundings. It’s believed that being in this state helps
you open your mind to beneficial suggestions made by the
hypnotherapist and helps you use your imagination to make
positive changes in your life.
‘I went along to see [a hypnotherapist]…and
was given a tape to take away...it helped me
to relax…and I could sleep better.’
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Mind-body therapies
Art therapy
Art therapy is used to help people to express themselves.
The art therapist is usually a psychotherapist and encourages
you to communicate your feelings through painting, drawing
or sculpting. The aim is to express yourself rather than produce
a work of art. The therapy can be given one-to-one with the
therapist or in groups. Through creativity, we can sometimes
become aware of and release pent-up feelings. The feelings
or emotions can then be discussed, if appropriate, in
counselling or group sessions.
‘I go to art therapy…it is wonderfully releasing
and relaxing…if I’m really uptight I can work on
something and it defuses that feeling.’
You don’t need to be able to draw or paint at all and you will
be encouraged to be spontaneous and doodle. Sometimes
the therapist may be more directive and ask you to ‘paint your
cancer’ or try to capture your relationship with your family.
These exercises can help you understand yourself more fully.
Music therapy
This therapy uses music to improve quality of life by helping
people communicate their feelings. It has also been shown to
help relieve symptoms such as pain. Some studies found that
people using music therapy were able to use lower doses of
painkillers to control their pain.
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Cancer and complementary therapies
Massage therapy
Massage is one of the oldest therapies in existence. It’s now
often offered as part of cancer care in hospital wards, hospices,
community health services and in some GP surgeries.
Massage is a form of structured or therapeutic touch. It can
be used to relax the mind and body, promote sleep, relieve
tension, improve the flow of blood and lymph (fluid in the
lymphatic system), reduce blood pressure and enhance mood.
One large observational study of people with cancer suggested
that massage therapy reduced symptoms such as pain, nausea,
anxiety, depression and fatigue.
There are many different types of massage therapy. Some types
are soft and gentle; other types are more vigorous and possibly
uncomfortable. People with cancer who want to try massage
are generally advised to try gentle massage and avoid vigorous
deep tissue massage.
Some people worry that massage could cause cancer cells to
spread to other parts of their body, but research has not found
any evidence of this.
Massage therapists working with people with cancer should
be properly trained and qualified, with knowledge of cancer
and its treatments. Relatives or friends are sometimes taught
how to do basic massage, so that they can support the person
with cancer.
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Massage therapy
During massage it’s important not to apply deep or
intense pressure:
• near any area affected by cancer
• to areas of tenderness
• to areas being treated with radiotherapy
(during and for a few weeks after the treatment)
• around intravenous catheters (such as
central lines)
• to areas affected by blood clots.
It’s also important to be particularly gentle if the
cancer has spread to the bones.
If you have a tendency to bleed or bruise easily, check
with your doctor before having massage therapy.
You can get more information about massage therapy
and finding a trained massage therapist from the
General Council for Massage Therapy (see page 75).
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Energy-based therapies
Energy-based therapies
This section discusses the following energy-based therapies:
• acupuncture
• reflexology
• Shiatsu
• healing
• Reiki.
Energy-based therapies are based on the theory that everyone
has or is surrounded by a special energy, and that working on
this can have health benefits. Some energy-based therapies
rely on little, if any, physical contact for their effects; others
involve touch or body movements.
Energy-based therapies are available in some hospitals.
The benefits of these therapies vary from person to person
and how they may work isn’t fully understood. They don’t have
any anti-cancer effects but may be used to relieve symptoms
or reduce anxiety. Their most common effects are relaxation
and calming.
If you practise these therapies somewhere other than hospital,
it’s important to check that the therapist or practitioner is trained
and registered.
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Cancer and complementary therapies
Acupuncture
Acupuncture has its origins in Traditional Chinese Medicine.
It’s based on the theory that there’s a system of life force
(energy) channels in the body. The energy that’s believed to
move along the channels is known as chi.
The therapist inserts fine sterile needles just below the skin to
affect the flow of energy in the body. They place the needles
along points in the energy channels to help release the flow of
chi and restore health and balance in the body.
Acupuncture is widely available within the NHS. A professional
acupuncturist may be a member of a team working in a
pain clinic or part of a palliative care (symptom control)
team. Some doctors, nurses and physiotherapists are trained
in acupuncture. They usually practise western medical
acupuncture, which is based on current medical knowledge
and evidence-based medicine. People who practise western
medical acupuncture believe that it works by stimulating the
nervous system rather than by affecting the circulation of chi.
Acupuncture has been proven to be helpful in treating nausea
after surgery or chemotherapy. Seabands (acubands), which
work on a similar principle to acupuncture by applying pressure
to a point on the wrist, may also be helpful in treating nausea.
There’s some evidence that acupuncture may be helpful in
treating other problems, including pain, breathlessness and
a dry mouth. Acupuncture is also sometimes used to treat
menopausal symptoms, but it’s not yet clear how effective it
is for this.
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Energy-based therapies
In general, when carried out by a trained professional,
acupuncture is safe and side effects or complications
are rare. However, it’s not advisable to have
acupuncture if you:
•have a lower than normal number of white blood
cells or platelets in your blood
•are having treatment that could affect your blood
cell numbers
•have a tendency to bleed easily.
If you have or are at risk of lymphoedema (swelling
to a part of the body caused by damage to the
lymphatic system) acupuncture may not be suitable
for you, particularly in the limb that’s affected or
at risk.
Check with your doctor if you’re considering
acupuncture.
Reflexology
Reflexology is a form of foot or hand massage and is related
to the Chinese practice of acupressure. Reflexologists believe
that different areas on the feet or hands represent, and are
connected to, the body’s internal organs.
Applying pressure to specific points in the feet or hands is
thought to stimulate the flow of energy along channels in
the body.
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Cancer and complementary therapies
Reflexology may be used to try to improve various symptoms
related to cancer, including feeling sick (nausea), tension, pain
and fatigue. So far, research studies haven’t been able to
prove that it’s effective when used in this way. But, there’s good
evidence that reflexology can help people feel more relaxed
and many people use it to help ease stress and anxiety.
‘I had reflexology, which I loved. It made me
feel so relaxed.’
You can get more information about reflexology and
finding a registered practitioner from the Association
of Reflexologists or the British Reflexology Association
(see page 76).
Shiatsu
Shiatsu is a Japanese form of massage. It’s based on the belief
that good health depends on the balanced flow of energy
through specific channels (meridians) in the body. Pressure is
placed on the meridians to help restore energy balance. The
therapist may also gently stretch or hold areas of the body to
reduce stiffness and soreness.
Many people find Shiatsu relaxing and energising and some
people feel that it eases pain and other symptoms. As with
other types of massage, it’s important to take the precautions
mentioned on page 23.
You can get more information about Shiatsu and
finding a registered practitioner from The Shiatsu
Society (see page 76).
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Energy-based therapies
Healing
Healers believe that healing energy exists all around us,
and that they act as a channel through which healing energy
flows into the patient. Some people find that healing provides
important and valuable support. It may be referred to as
spiritual or faith healing if it’s used in the context of a religious
or spiritual approach to heal the person.
‘I opened my eyes feeling so calm, so relaxed
...And I thought, this is really something great.’
Contact healing may also be known as the ‘laying on of hands’
in the Christian church. In therapeutic touch, the healer works
just above the surface of the body. They believe this affects an
energy field that surrounds each person. Some nurses practise
therapeutic touch.
You can get more information about healing and
finding a spiritual healer from the The Healing Trust
(see page 77).
Reiki
Reiki was developed in Japan and the word ‘Reiki’ is Japanese
for ‘universal life energy’.
Reiki therapists believe that they act as a channel for energy,
which is drawn into the person having the therapy according
to their need. Neither person has to use any effort or
concentration during the process. You don’t need to remove
any clothing. You sit or lie down and the practitioner gently
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Cancer and complementary therapies
places their hands on or just above your body in a sequence
of positions that cover the whole body. Each position is held for
about 2–5 minutes or until the practitioner feels that the flow
of energy has slowed or stopped. A full treatment usually takes
30–60 minutes.
‘I had some Reiki treatment, which I found very
relaxing and pleasant.’
Reiki treatment is available in some hospitals, NHS community
services and support groups.
You can get more information about Reiki from The
Reiki Council (see page 76).
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Physical therapies
Regular physical activity improves energy levels and muscle
tone, and can ease tension and fatigue. It also promotes
health and positive emotions. Health-related benefits include
improved fitness, muscle strength and stamina. Many people
get these benefits from something as simple as walking. Some
people find additional benefits in structured types of exercise
that aim to work on the mind as well as the body.
You can read more about being active in our booklet
Physical activity and cancer treatment.
Some types of physical activity, such as yoga, Tai Chi and
Qi Gong, are designed to work both the body and the mind.
In general they use gentle, controlled, low-impact movements
combined with breathing exercises. They can usually be done
by people of all ages and of varying levels of fitness.
Yoga
There are many different types of yoga. They all involve putting
the body into different positions or postures (asanas), breathing
exercises and some form of meditation or relaxation.
Some types of yoga use very gentle stretching, movement and
meditation. Other types of yoga may involve more vigorous
physical movement and dietary changes.
Yoga is generally safe, but people with some types
of cancer may find it difficult to get into some of the
positions suggested.
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Physical therapies
Some people who have cancer find that practising yoga helps
them cope with their illness and feel better generally. A recent
study found that people who followed a four-week yoga
course after they completed their cancer treatment had fewer
problems sleeping and felt less fatigued.
Yoga may also be useful in relieving menopausal symptoms,
such as hot flushes and joint pains. In another study, women
treated for early-stage breast cancer followed a yoga course
that included breathing exercises, yoga postures, meditation,
visualisation and stress management. The women taking part
had fewer and less severe hot flushes, less joint pain and said
they felt more energetic.
Some hospitals offer yoga classes.
You can get information about local classes from the
British Wheel of Yoga (see page 78).
Tai Chi and Qi Gong
Tai Chi and Qi Gong (sometimes spelled Chi Kung) come from
Chinese medical traditions. They incorporate elements of mindbody therapies, energy-based therapies and physical therapies.
Both use gentle movements and mental exercises with the aim
of balancing the energy or the vital force (chi) of the body.
‘I’ve started doing Tai Chi. It’s boosted my
breathing ability, my lung capacity and my
energy levels.’
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Cancer and complementary therapies
Tai Chi focuses on building strength, balance and flexibility
through slow, fluid movements combined with mental imagery
and deep breathing. It can improve people’s general health.
Qi Gong involves practising a series of mental and physical
exercises to improve health.
Both Tai Chi and Qi Gong can help generate a sense of
well-being and peace. The slow flowing movements increase
strength and flexibility, and improve balance and circulation.
You can get more information about Tai Chi or Qi Gong
and local classes from taichifinder.co.uk and qi.org
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Therapies using herbs,
plant extracts, foods
or supplements
This section covers:
• aromatherapy
• flower therapies
• homeopathy
• herbal remedies
• dietary supplements, such as antioxidants and vitamins.
These therapies use substances such as herbs, plants,
foods, vitamins and other natural substances. They are widely
available in supermarkets, chemists, health food shops, on
the internet and from nutritionists, herbalists and homeopaths.
They are mainly taken orally but can also come as oils
and creams.
Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is the use of natural oils extracted from plants.
The oils are thought to have therapeutic properties. They may
be used during massage but can also be used in baths and
through diffusers.
It’s not always necessary to remove clothing to have massage
or aromatherapy. Often, hand and forearm massage or head
and neck massage can be very relaxing.
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Therapies using herbs, plant extracts, foods or supplements
‘[Aromatherapy] certainly helps – it makes you
feel better in yourself.’
Different oils have different effects. For example, an
aromatherapist may use cedarwood for a pleasant and relaxing
effect, or rosemary for an invigorating and refreshing effect.
It’s important to tell the therapist about any medicines
you take and give them all your medical details.
Some oils have physical effects on the body, such as
raising blood pressure. And some can have oestrogenlike effects and are best avoided by people with
oestrogen-dependent cancers (such as some breast
cancers). If you’re having conventional therapy for
cancer, such as chemotherapy or hormonal therapy,
you should always check with your doctor before
beginning aromatherapy treatment.
If you’re having radiotherapy, it’s usually fine to have
aromatherapy and massage, as long as it’s not used on
the area being treated with radiotherapy (see page 23).
For more detailed information about aromatherapy and
to find a trained therapist, contact the Aromatherapy
Council (see page 73).
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Cancer and complementary therapies
Flower remedies
Flower remedies are considered to be safe and may help
reduce anxiety and some symptoms for some people. They
are based on the essences of flowers, diluted many times and
drunk as a liquid.
Different types of flower remedies, including Bach flower
remedies and Jan de Vries flower remedies, are available.
They can be bought from health food shops and some chemists.
Flower remedies are often diluted in alcohol, so people
who don’t drink alcohol may choose not to use them.
You can get more information about Bach remedies
from The Doctor Edward Bach Centre (see page 74).
Homeopathy
Homeopathy is used for a number of illnesses and may be
taken in addition to conventional treatment to try to improve
the quality of life of people with cancer. There’s no reliable
scientific evidence for the effectiveness of homeopathy,
however many people who use it say they are satisfied or
very satisfied with it.
‘I go to the homeopathic hospital and I’ve
found that they have been very helpful.’
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Homeopathy is based on the theory that a substance that
causes similar symptoms to those of the illness being treated
can be used in tiny amounts to treat those symptoms.
Homeopathic remedies, which come as tablets, liquids or
creams, contain these substances in an extremely diluted form.
Homeopaths may use homeopathic preparations to try to
relieve symptoms caused by cancer or side effects caused by
cancer treatments.
Some GPs and hospital doctors are trained in homeopathy,
and homeopathy is sometimes available through the NHS.
If you’re interested in this type of treatment, you can discuss
it with your GP or your cancer specialist.
Homeopathic preparations are extremely diluted, so
homeopathy is safe to use alongside conventional cancer
treatments and there’s no evidence that it causes side effects.
Some homeopathic remedies are diluted in alcohol,
so people who don’t drink alcohol may choose not
to use these.
You can get information about homeopathy and finding
a registered practitioner from the British Homeopathic
Association (see page 74) or The Royal London Hospital
for Integrated Medicine (see page 79).
Mistletoe (Iscador®, Eurixor®)
Mistletoe can be taken by mouth or as injections. It may
be administered by homeopaths and is sometimes described
as a herbal treatment or as a homeopathic remedy.
But, strictly speaking, it’s an anthroposophical treatment.
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Anthroposophical medicine aims to integrate conventional
medicine with complementary treatments, including
homeopathy, physical and artistic therapies.
It’s claimed that mistletoe may have various effects, including
stimulating the immune system, improving the quality of life of
people with cancer and reducing side effects of chemotherapy
and radiotherapy.
However, at the moment there’s no reliable scientific evidence
that mistletoe is effective in treating cancer. In general, however,
treatment with mistletoe appears to be safe and any side
effects are usually mild.
If mistletoe is taken in large doses it may cause more
serious side effects.
When given as an injection, mistletoe may cause mild
swelling, redness, itching and pain around the injection
site. It can occasionally cause allergic reactions, which
may be serious in some people.
Because mistletoe extracts may stimulate the immune
system, they could reduce the effectiveness of some
medicines, such as steroids and cyclosporine, used after
bone marrow or stem cell transplants.
Mistletoe extracts can also increase the effects of
blood pressure medicines and some anaesthetics used
during surgery.
It’s important to check with your cancer specialist before
using mistletoe extracts.
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Mistletoe therapy may sometimes be available through
the NHS.
Herbal medicines
Herbal medicines use plants or mixtures of plant extracts to
treat illness and promote health. Herbs were commonly used
in the UK before the development of modern medicines, and
they are still widely used by many people for common illnesses.
Practitioners of Chinese medicine also use herbs as part of
Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Herbs may be boiled in water and drunk as a tea, mixed in an
alcohol solution, or be made into tablets, creams or ointments.
Commonly used herbs include:
• ginger – used to relieve feelings of sickness (nausea)
• echinacea – used to try to help the immune system
overcome infections, such as the common cold
• St John’s Wort – used to treat low mood and mild to
moderate depression.
Although plants and herbs are natural, this doesn’t automatically
mean they are safe. Natural substances can have powerful
effects and cause side effects. So, if you choose to take herbal
remedies it’s important to use them safely and to be aware of
possible side effects they may cause.
If you take or are interested in trying herbal medicines, talk
to your cancer specialist about this. Knowing about all the
medicines you’re taking, whether prescription or otherwise, will
help your doctor give you the best possible care. If you’re seeing
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a herbalist, check that they are registered with an accredited
body (see the organisations listed on page 74).
Taking herbs during cancer treatment
Some herbs can interfere with cancer treatments by making
them less effective or by increasing side effects. For example,
St John’s Wort can reduce the effectiveness of the chemotherapy
drug irinotecan. It can also make your skin more sensitive
to light (photosensitive) and could increase skin reactions
to radiotherapy. Drinking green tea may make the cancer
medicine bortezomib (Velcade®) less effective. It could also
increase the side effects caused by the chemotherapy drug
irinotecan and by the hormonal therapy tamoxifen.
Some herbs are also best avoided before surgery. For example
garlic, evening primrose oil and gingko may affect blood
clotting. Other herbal remedies may interact with painkilling
drugs or with anaesthetics.
Although we know about some of the interactions between
herbs and cancer treatments, a herbal supplement may contain
dozens of compounds and all of its active ingredients may
not be known. So it’s often not possible to know the effects
of the herbs and possible interactions with other medicines or
treatments. Because of this, many doctors advise that herbal
medicines should be avoided during, and for a few weeks
before and after, treatment with chemotherapy or radiotherapy.
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Some herbs and dietary supplements can interfere
with cancer treatments by making them more toxic or
less effective. It’s important to check with your cancer
specialist if you’re planning to use herbal medicines or
take supplements during, and for a few weeks before and
after, cancer treatment.
There’s more detailed information about individual
herbs and supplements on the Memorial Sloan
Kettering website (see page 84).
You can find a registered herbal practitioner from
the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine (see page 77).
Diet
Many people make changes to their diet after a cancer
diagnosis as a way of staying as healthy as possible. They
may also do this to help their body cope with the effects of
cancer and its treatments. Along with giving up smoking and
increasing physical activity, following a healthy diet is one
of the most important changes people can make for their
general health.
However, there’s no scientific evidence that eating a particular
diet or cutting out certain foods can treat cancer.
Most doctors and specialist nurses recommend a well-balanced
diet that you enjoy. Your doctor, specialist nurse or dietitian can
give you advice on healthy eating.
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‘It was very important...psychologically for
me to look at my lifestyle, look at my diet.’
You may find our booklets Diet and cancer and Recipes from
Macmillan Cancer Support useful. They can give you ideas
and tips on how to get the nutrition you need if you have
eating problems because of cancer or its treatment. And there’s
information about following a healthy diet after cancer treatment
in our booklet Eating well after cancer.
Our website also has a useful video with tips for healthy eating,
at macmillan.org.uk/dietandlifestyle
You can also get nutritional advice from Penny Brohn Cancer
Care (see page 79). Their approach to healthy eating aims to
support the health and well-being of people with cancer and is
based on current evidence on nutrition and cancer.
Nutritional therapists
Nutritional therapists focus on using diet as part of your body’s
healing process. They don’t aim to cure cancer through diet,
but try to improve the natural health of the body. A nutritional
therapist will assess your general health and recommend a
diet that’s specific to your needs. There’s no evidence that
nutritional therapy can cure a cancer or reduce the chance
of it coming back.
You can get more information about nutritional therapy
and finding a registered therapist from the British
Association for Applied Nutrition and Nutritional
Therapy (see page 73).
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Dietary supplements
We need nutrients, such as vitamins, minerals and essential
fatty acids, for our bodies to work properly. The best way to
get these nutrients is by eating a healthy diet. However, some
people with cancer aren’t able to get all the nutrients they need
from their diet. This may be because of problems with eating
or because their bodies aren’t able to absorb the nutrients.
If you’re concerned that you might not be able to follow a
balanced diet or get the nutrition you need from your food,
you can ask your doctor or nurse to refer you to a dietitian.
They can give you advice on what to eat and may prescribe
nutritional supplements for you. If you aren’t able to eat a
healthy, balanced diet, your doctor may prescribe a daily
multivitamin and multi-mineral supplement to give you the
recommended daily allowance (RDA) of the nutrients you need.
If you’re thinking of taking dietary supplements, it’s
important to talk to your cancer specialist about this.
Some people think that if something is good for you in small
amounts, taking larger amounts is better still. But this isn’t
always the case. Nutrients, which are essential for our health
in small amounts, can be toxic and cause unpleasant side
effects when taken in large amounts. And some may interact
with or lessen the effectiveness of cancer treatments.
Despite a lot of research into cancer and dietary
supplements, there isn’t good evidence that taking
them can help treat cancer or stop it coming back.
But, research has found that taking certain supplements
could increase the risk of some cancers developing.
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Antioxidants
Antioxidants, such as vitamins A, C and E, coenzyme
Q10 and selenium are some of the most commonly taken
dietary supplements.
Antioxidants can help to prevent cell damage.
Because of this some doctors have concerns that
taking antioxidant supplements during cancer
treatment may interfere with the effectiveness of the
treatment. Your cancer specialist may recommend
that you don’t take antioxidant supplements during
your cancer treatment, unless it’s as part of a clinical
research trial.
If you want more detailed information about a
particular antioxidant or dietary supplement, call us
on 0808 808 00 00 or contact one of the organisations
listed on pages 71–84.
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Alternative therapies
Alternative therapies are treatments that are used in place of
conventional treatments. They may claim to actively treat or
even cure cancer. There’s no scientific proof to back up these
claims, and no alternative therapies have been proven to cure
cancer or slow its growth.
There have been cases in which false claims made about
alternative therapies have led some patients to turn away
from conventional treatments that could have helped them.
No reputable alternative therapist will claim to be able to
cure cancer.
Alternative therapies are sometimes very cleverly marketed so
that when you read about them or are told about them, they
sound very effective. Therapists may use scientific language
to make their claims more convincing. But, many are based
on unproven or disproven theories of how cancer begins or
is sustained in the body.
Claims may be based on the therapy’s results when tested
on cancer cells in a laboratory setting. But a therapy’s activity
against cancer cells in a laboratory can differ greatly from how
the therapy will affect someone with cancer. So claims that an
alternative therapy has an anti-cancer action in the laboratory
don’t necessarily mean it will be effective if taken by someone
with cancer.
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Very few suppliers of alternative medicines have carried out
scientifically controlled clinical trials for their products. Many
alternative therapies rely on individual’s stories or testimonials
as evidence that they work. This is called anecdotal evidence.
It is the least reliable type of evidence because it’s usually not
possible to check whether the effect described is due to the
treatment or something else. It’s also not possible to check
that the person’s story is true or that the person even existed
or had cancer.
Reasons people may choose alternative therapies
There are various reasons people may look to alternative
therapies. Sometimes, it’s because they feel that conventional
treatment can’t help them or could be harmful. The idea
of having cancer treatments, which may cause unpleasant
side effects, can be frightening for some people. However,
many people with early cancer can be cured by conventional
treatments.
If you’ve been told by your doctors that the cancer can’t be
cured, this can be very hard to accept and you may look to
an alternative therapy. However, if a cancer can’t be cured by
conventional medical treatment, it’s equally true that it won’t
be cured with alternative treatment. In this situation, some
alternative therapies may do no harm, but some could be
very harmful.
If you’re finding it hard to accept that further treatment won’t
help to control the cancer, it can sometimes help to have a
second opinion. The second cancer specialist may see things
differently and offer you another type of conventional treatment.
Alternatively, if they confirm what you’ve already been told, this
may help you to accept that everything that may help has been
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tried. If you feel very strongly that you want to continue having
treatment to try to combat the cancer, you could also ask if
there are any cancer research trials that might be appropriate
for you.
Our booklets Coping with advanced cancer and
Understanding cancer research trials (clinical trials)
have more information.
If you’re considering using complementary or alternative
therapies, talk to your doctor for advice and support. Doctors
are generally supportive of people using any complementary
therapies that may help them cope better with their illness, but
may advise against using alternative therapies.
Only you can decide whether or not to use alternative cancer
therapies. If you do decide to use an alternative therapy, it’s
important to check it’s safe and to check the credentials of
the therapist offering the treatment. Alternative therapies can
be expensive and some can cause serious side effects, make
people feel unwell and be harmful to health.
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Types of
alternative therapy
There are many types of alternative therapy and we can’t
cover them all in this booklet. If you want to find out more
about an alternative therapy not mentioned here, you may
find information about it from one of the organisations listed
on pages 71–84. They provide information based on the most
up to date scientific evidence. You can also call the Macmillan
Support Line on 0808 808 00 00 if you want to talk through
any aspect of alternative therapy.
In this section you can read about:
• Laetrile®
• Essiac®
• metabolic therapy
• diets that claim to treat cancer
• megavitamin therapy.
Amygdalin (Laetrile®, Vitamin B17)
Amygdalin is a compound found in bitter almonds, and in
peach and apricot stones. A synthetic form of it is marketed
as Laetrile®. It is also sometimes called vitamin B17, although
it isn’t actually a vitamin.
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Laetrile has been marketed since the 1970s. Many websites
that sell it claim it can slow or stop the growth of cancer. They
sometimes also claim that Laetrile is able to selectively poison
cancer cells without damaging normal cells and tissues. But
there’s no evidence to support the theory this is based on.
A review of studies looking at the outcomes for people with
cancer taking Laetrile found no evidence that it can control
or cure cancer.
Laetrile can have serious side effects. Some people
have had cyanide poisoning while taking it, and a
few people have died as a result. The sale of Laetrile
has been banned by the European Commission and
by the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) in the
USA. Unlike conventional medicines, the manufacture
of Laetrile isn’t controlled. So if you buy Laetrile there
isn’t any way of knowing what it contains or if it’s
contaminated with other substances.
If you’re thinking of taking Laetrile, it is best to
discuss this with your cancer specialist.
Essiac® (Vitaltea®, Flor-essence®)
Essiac contains burdock root, sheep sorrel, slippery elm and
rhubarb and is taken as a drink. It was developed and named
by Rene Caisse, a Canadian nurse, (Essiac is Caisse spelled
backwards). Essiac is usually sold as a nutritional supplement.
Some websites claim that Essiac can slow down the growth of
cancer, or even cure it. However, there’s no scientific evidence
that taking Essiac can help to treat cancer or improve quality
of life.
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Essiac interferes with an enzyme (cytochrome p450) in the
body that’s responsible for regulating hormones, vitamin D
and dealing with toxins. This may mean taking Essiac with
other treatments could make them less effective or increase
side effects.
It’s important not to take Essiac during cancer treatment
or with any other medicines without first checking with
your doctor.
Metabolic therapy
Metabolic therapists think of cancer as the result of a metabolic
imbalance caused by a build-up of ‘toxic substances’ in the
body. They claim they can treat the cause of the disease by
removing ‘toxins’ and strengthening the immune system so
the body can heal itself.
Metabolic treatments vary from one practitioner to another,
and may include a ‘natural food’ diet, coffee enemas, vitamins,
minerals, enzymes or chemicals. These are said to flush toxins
out of the body, allowing it to heal. But, there’s no evidence to
support claims that these help in the treatment of cancer.
A recent study compared the results of using a metabolic
therapy (Gonzalez therapy) designed for patients with
advanced pancreatic cancer with conventional cancer
treatment (chemotherapy with gemcitabine). The metabolic
therapy included pancreatic enzymes, nutritional supplements,
detoxification and organic foods. The study found that the
patients who had the chemotherapy survived three times
longer and had better quality of life than those who chose
metabolic therapy.
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Gerson therapy
Gerson therapy is one of the most well-known metabolic
therapies. The diet is based on organic fruit and vegetables,
taken mainly as a juice prepared with a juice extractor. In
addition, a number of nutritional supplements are given, and
coffee enemas are used to ‘flush out toxins’.
This diet needs a lot of time and commitment and may be
expensive to follow. Some alternative therapists claim that the
Gerson diet is effective in treating cancer, but evidence from
research studies does not support this claim.
Possible side effects of Gerson therapy include nausea,
vomiting, stomach cramps, a high temperature and
headaches. The high levels of hormones and extracts
used can sometimes make people feel unwell and may
disrupt the body’s metabolism. Other possible side
effects of the therapy relate to the use of enemas and
include perforation or rupture of the large bowel (colon),
infections, and fluid and electrolyte imbalances.
If you have any queries about alternative diets or are thinking
of following one, get further advice from your doctor, specialist
nurse or dietitian.
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Diets that claim to treat cancer
There are a number of diets, in addition to the Gerson and
Gonzalez diets, that claim to treat cancer. Some claim to rid
the body of toxins. Many of these diets are vegetarian or vegan.
They involve eating food that is raw, sugar-free and low in salt.
Sometimes vegetable or fruit juices and high doses of vitamins,
minerals or enzymes may be used. Other diets are based on
claims that certain foods ‘feed’ cancer or affect the pH (acidity)
of the body.
Advocates of these diets may make dramatic claims that
they can cure people with advanced cancer. It’s completely
understandable that people with cancer should be attracted
to diets that seem to offer the hope of a cure. However, there’s
no scientific evidence that these diets can cure cancer or help
people with advanced cancer live for longer.
Some people get pleasure and satisfaction from preparing
special diets. It can be rewarding to feel that you’re doing
something positive for your health and to have something
that you are in control of. But, following diets is not right for
everyone. Some people find them boring, too expensive,
time-consuming to prepare or even unpleasant to eat. There’s
also a danger that people can feel guilty if they don’t follow the
diet ‘properly’. People can also feel very angry and let down if
they are led to believe that a particular diet will cure or control
their cancer and this does not happen.
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‘I did try to adjust my lifestyle and went onto
wholemeal everything. And I still have some of
those changes but I’ve backtracked on some...
you can put yourself under a lot of stress…and
I’d rather have a reasonably healthy lifestyle,
but still enjoy myself.’
Diets that are high in fibre and low in calories and protein are
not appropriate for people who have problems maintaining their
weight because of cancer or its treatment. Instead, people who
are underweight need protein and calories from any source.
If you choose to follow a diet that cuts out particular
types of food, it’s important to make sure you aren’t
missing out on important nutrients in your diet. For
example, if you follow a dairy-free diet, it’s important to
replace the calcium that you would otherwise get from
dairy products with other calcium-rich foods.
Megavitamin or orthomolecular therapy
This type of alternative therapy advocates taking very large
doses of vitamins (megavitamin therapy) as a way of preventing
and treating cancer. However, there’s no evidence that taking
large doses of vitamins is helpful in treating cancer, and in high
doses some vitamins can be harmful.
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High-dose vitamin C is one of the most widely used forms of
megavitamin therapy. Scientific studies have found no benefit
for people with cancer taking high-dose vitamin C by mouth
(orally). More recently, there has been interest in whether
high-dose vitamin C would work better if given directly into the
bloodstream (intravenously). A number of clinical trials (mainly
in the USA) are investigating this. Some studies are also testing
the effects of high-dose intravenous vitamin C when it’s given
alongside conventional cancer treatments. However, at present
there isn’t reliable evidence that intravenous high-dose vitamin
C can help to treat cancer.
High-dose vitamin C can make many cancer treatment
drugs, such as cisplatin, doxorubicin, imatinib and
vincristine, less effective. It may also interfere with
how radiotherapy works. So it’s important to tell your
cancer specialist before having high doses of vitamin
C, particularly if you’re planning on using it during,
or within a few weeks of, cancer treatment.
High-dose vitamin C may also interact with some
complementary and alternative therapies. There have
been cases of severe cyanide poisoning in people
taking amygdalin (Laetrile) at the same time as
high-dose vitamin C.
People who have kidney problems, a condition that
causes iron overload (haemachromatosis) or who have
G6PDH deficiency should always consult their doctor
before taking high-dose vitamin C supplements.
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Feelings, personality
and cancer
Many people are interested in the relationship between
cancer and psychological factors, such as emotions and stress.
Research studies have looked at the following questions:
Are people with particular personality types more
likely to get cancer?
Although the idea has been popular for a long time, there’s
no scientific evidence to show that people with certain
personality types are more likely to get cancer. A cancer
diagnosis may understandably make people feel anxious,
low or depressed, but this does not mean that the two things
are linked. In fact, people who are told this may feel that
they are to blame for their cancer, which can cause them
unnecessary distress.
Can stress cause cancer?
Many people believe that their cancer was caused by the stress
of a traumatic event, or being exposed to stressful situations
over a long period of time. It’s very difficult to research
whether stress can cause cancer, as what causes stress in
one person may not be seen as stressful for another. At the
moment, studies show that psychological and environmental
stress can result in slight changes to the body’s immune
system, but there’s no evidence that this can cause cancer
or affect its growth.
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Can attitude affect cancer?
Some people feel that a positive attitude helps when coping
with cancer and its treatments. However, a positive attitude
means different things to different people, so this doesn’t
mean you have to be cheerful all the time. Cancer can make
people feel helpless and too tired to be positive and ‘fight’
the cancer. This does not mean that their attitude lowers their
chance of a good outcome from treatment. It’s important to
talk to your doctor or nurse if you feel anxious or depressed,
as help is available for your psychological as well as your
physical needs. There’s evidence that a positive attitude
improves a person’s quality of life. However, trying to be
positive should not become a burden. Very few people are
optimistic all the time, and it’s natural and understandable to
feel down sometimes.
Can changing my attitude and level of stress affect
the outcome?
Anything that helps you cope in your own way is valuable.
Many self-help books are based on the principle that a change
in attitude to having cancer may affect the outlook. This idea
influences many complementary approaches to cancer. The
effect of these approaches is very difficult to evaluate properly,
but many people find them helpful and they can contribute to
a sense of well-being and quality of life.
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Psychological and
self-help therapies
There are several psychological and self-help approaches
that may be used to help people cope with stress, anxiety
and difficult feelings and emotions.
You may also find that talking openly and honestly with your
family and friends, and with the healthcare professionals
caring for you, helps you cope with your feelings.
We have two booklets, Talking about your cancer and
Lost for words: how to talk to someone with cancer,
which you may find helpful.
Talking therapies
There are many different types of talking therapy, including
psychotherapy and counselling. These have all been shown
to benefit people who have anxiety or depression, and can
be useful for people affected by cancer.
You can ask your doctor to put you in touch with the
psychological support services at your hospital.
Counselling
Many people can get support by talking to close family
members or friends. But it can sometimes be useful to talk to
someone from outside your circle of family and friends, who
has been trained to listen and help you explore your feelings.
Your emotions may be very tangled and confused. You may
find them difficult to talk about and very hard to share with
your family or friends.
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‘I went for counselling…to talk through things
that were worrying me. That helped a lot, to
clarify things.’
Talking one-to-one with a trained counsellor in a more focused
way is designed to help you sort through your feelings and find
ways of coping with them. Some GPs have counsellors within
their practice, or they can refer you to a counsellor. Our cancer
support specialists on 0808 808 00 00 can give you details of
how to find counsellors in your local area.
Group therapy
You may be offered the chance to take part in group therapy,
in which a trained therapist (counsellor or other professional)
encourages a group of people to share their feelings and
experiences with each other. This is different from a self-help
group (see below), as the therapist leading the group will be
aware of the individual participants’ problems and will be able
to guide the discussion so that everyone benefits.
Self-help groups
Organised groups, where people with cancer and their families
meet others in a similar situation, can be helpful. This is
often the first opportunity that people have to discuss their
experiences with other people living with cancer.
These groups can be a source of information and support,
and can provide an opportunity for people to talk about their
feelings. Some groups are run by health professionals, doctors
and nurses, counsellors or psychotherapists in a hospital. More
commonly, people with cancer run the groups. They often
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offer different techniques and coping strategies, together with
relaxation or visualisation, as well as practical information and
emotional support.
If you’re interested in joining a group but are unsure about
whether it would be helpful, you could try making some
enquiries about it first. Or you could go to a meeting to see
what it‘s like. You may feel more comfortable if you take a
relative or friend along with you. But if you’re uncomfortable
with a group situation, you don’t have to go again. You
may find it more helpful to find someone you can speak
with individually on a regular basis to support you.
Share your experience
Having cancer is a life-changing experience. When treatment
finishes, many people find it helps to talk about it and share
their thoughts, feelings and advice with other people. Just
hearing about how you’ve coped, what side effects you had
and how you managed them is very helpful to someone in a
similar situation.
We can help you share your story. Call us on 0808 808 00 00
or visit our website macmillan.org.uk/cancervoices for more
information about becoming a Cancer Voice.
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How we can help you
How we can help you
Macmillan Cancer
Support
89 Albert Embankment,
London SE1 7UQ
General enquiries
020 7840 7840
Questions about living
with cancer? Call free
on 0808 808 00 00
(Mon–Fri, 9am–8pm)
Alternatively, visit
macmillan.org.uk
Hard of hearing?
Use textphone 0808 808
0121, or Text Relay.
Non-English speaker?
Interpreters available.
Macmillan Cancer Support
improves the lives of people
affected by cancer. We are a
source of support: providing
practical, medical, emotional
and financial help. We are a
force for change: listening to
people affected by cancer
and working together to
improve cancer care locally
and nationally.
We have a wide variety of
services and activities that
might be of help and interest.
Clear, reliable
information
We provide expert, up-to-date
information about cancer –
the different types, tests and
treatments, and living with
the condition.
We can help you by phone,
email, via our website and
publications, or in person.
And our information is free
to all – people with cancer,
families and friends, as well
as professionals.
Just call and speak to one of
our cancer support specialists.
Or visit one of our information
and support centres – based in
hospitals, libraries and mobile
centres – and speak with
someone face-to-face.
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Need out-of-hours support? Someone to talk to
Our phone service is open
Monday–Friday, 9am–8pm. When you, or someone close
to you, has cancer, it can be
At any time of day, you can
difficult sometimes to talk
find a lot of information on
about how you’re feeling.
our website, macmillan.
You can call our cancer
org.uk, or join our online
community at macmillan.org. support specialists to talk
uk/community For medical about how you feel and
attention out of hours, please what’s worrying you.
contact your GP for their
Alternatively, we can help you
‘out-of-hours’ service.
find support in your local area,
so you can speak face-to-face
The following organisations
with people who understand
can offer immediate
what you’re going through.
information and support:
NHS Direct 0845 4647
www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk
NHS Scotland
08454 24 24 24
www.nhs24.com
Samaritans 0845 790 9090
www.samaritans.org
68
How we can help you
Professional help
You can find people affected
by cancer who meet in
Our Macmillan nurses, doctors your area to support each
and other health and social
other by calling us or by
care professionals offer expert visiting macmillan.org.uk/
treatment and care. They help selfhelpandsupport
individuals and families deal
You can also share your
with cancer from diagnosis
experiences, ask questions
onwards, until people decide
and get support from others
they no longer need this help. by heading to our online
community at macmillan.org.
You can ask your GP, hospital uk/community
consultant, district nurse or
hospital ward sister if there
Review our information
are any Macmillan
Help us make our resources
professionals available in
even better for people affected
your area, or call us.
by cancer. Being one of our
reviewers gives you the chance
Support for each other
to comment on a variety of
information including booklets,
No one knows more about
fact sheets, leaflets and
the impact cancer has on a
website text.
person’s life than those who
have been affected by the
disease themselves. That’s why
we help to bring people with
cancer and carers together in
their communities and online.
69
Cancer and complementary therapies
Financial and
work-related support
Having cancer can bring extra
costs such as hospital parking,
travel fares and higher heating
bills. Some people may have
to stop working.
Helping you to
help yourself
Many people affected by
cancer want to take control of
their lives again and regain
their independence. We help
you do this by providing
opportunities to learn how
If you’ve been affected in this to manage the impact cancer
way, we can help. All you need can have on your life.
to do is call our helpline and
one of our specialists will tell
You can do this online through
you about the benefits and
our Learn Zone – macmillan.
other financial help you may
org.uk/learnzone – which
be entitled to.
offers a variety of courses
and information.
We can also give you
information about your
We produce booklets on
rights as an employee, and
specific cancers and treatments
help you find further support. to help you manage the
disease and side effects.
And we provide a variety
of face-to-face training that
offers practical advice to help
you help yourself.
70
Other useful organisations
Other useful organisations
General complementary
therapy organisations
Complementary and
Natural Healthcare
Council (CNHC)
British Complementary
83 Victoria Street, London
Medicine Association
SW1H 0HW
(BCMA)
Tel 0203 178 2199
PO Box 5122, Bournemouth
Email [email protected]
BH8 OWG
www.cnhc.org.uk
Tel 0845 345 5977
The UK regulator for
Email [email protected]
complementary healthcare
www.bcma.co.uk
practitioners. You can search
Holds a register of qualified
for accredited practitioners
complementary and alternative in your area who meet
therapists who are all members agreed levels of competence
of the BCMA and adhere to
and practice.
the BCMA code of ethics.
Federation of
British Holistic Medical
Holistic Therapists
Association (BHMA)
18 Shakespeare Business
BHMA, 5 Sea Lane Close,
Centre, Hathaway Close,
East Preston, West Sussex
Eastleigh, Hampshire
BN16 1NQ
SO50 4SR
Email [email protected]
Tel 0844 875 2022
www.bhma.org
Email [email protected]
An organisation of mainstream www.fht.org.uk
healthcare professionals,
A professional association
complementary and
for complementary, holistic
alternative therapists
beauty and sports therapists
who promote a holistic
in the UK and Ireland. Search
approach to healthcare.
for details of therapists in
your area.
71
Cancer and complementary therapies
Institute for Complementary
and Natural Medicine
ICNM, Can-Mezzanine,
32–36 Loman Street,
London SE1 0EH
Tel 0207 922 7980
Email [email protected]
www.i-c-m.org.uk
Provides information about
complementary medicine to
the public. Provides a search
facility to find registered
practitioners and therapists.
Research Council for
Complementary Medicine
The Royal London Hospital
for Integrated Medicine,
60 Great Ormond Street,
London WC1 3HR
Email [email protected]
www.rccm.org.uk
Aims to provide practitioners
and patients with information
about the effectiveness of
individual therapies and the
treatment of specific conditions.
72
Acupuncture
British Acupuncture Council
63 Jeddo Road,
London W12 9HQ
Tel 020 8735 0400
Email from the website
www.acupuncture.org.uk
The leading self-regulatory
body for traditional
acupuncture in the UK.
Maintains a register of
traditional acupuncturists.
British Medical
Acupuncture Society (BMAS)
BMAS, Royal London
Hospital for Integrated
Medicine, 60 Great Ormond
Street, London WC1N 3HR
Tel 020 7713 9437 /
Email [email protected]
www.medicalacupuncture.co.uk
A society of registered
doctors and allied healthcare
professionals who practise
acupuncture alongside
conventional techniques.
Has a search facility to help
you find a practitioner of
medical acupuncture near you.
Other useful organisations
Aromatherapy
The Aromatherapy
Council (AC)
Email from the website
www.aromatherapy
council.org.uk
The aromatherapy governing
body in the UK, which sets
the criteria for aromatherapy
training standards. You
can search the AC register
through the website to find
aromatherapists in your area.
Art and music therapy
British Association
of Art Therapists (BAAT)
24–27 White Lion Street,
London N1 9PD
Tel 020 7686 4216
Email [email protected]
www.baat.org
Provides a directory of art
therapists in private practice,
and details of art therapy
training courses.
British Association
for Music Therapy (BAMT)
24–27 White Lion Street,
London N1 9PD
Tel 020 7837 6100
Email [email protected]
www.bamt.org
The professional body for
music therapists and a source
of information and support
for the general public.
Diet and nutrition
British Association for
Applied Nutrition and
Nutritional Therapy (BANT)
27 Old Gloucester Street,
London WC1N 3XX
Tel 0870 606 1284
Email
[email protected]
www.bant.org.uk
Provides an online directory to
members of the public looking
for a local nutritional therapist.
73
Cancer and complementary therapies
Herbal medicine
British Herbal Medicine
Association (BHMA)
PO Box 583, Exeter EX1 9GX
Tel 0845 680 1134
Email [email protected]
www.bhma.info
Provides information to
healthcare professions, the
herbal industry and to the
public.
National Institute of
Medical Herbalists
Clover House, James Court,
South Street, Exeter EX1 1BE
Tel 01392 426 022
Email [email protected]
www.nimh.org.uk
Provides information on
herbal medicine and
holds a database of registered
herbalists in the UK.
The Doctor Edward
Bach Centre
Mount Vernon, Bakers Lane,
Brightwell-cum-Sotwell,
Oxfordshire OX10 0PZ
Tel 01491 834 678
Email [email protected]
www.bachcentre.com
74
Provides information on Bach
flower remedies and therapists.
Asks people to check the
website for answers before
contacting them.
Homeopathy
British Homeopathic
Association
Hahnemann House, 29 Park
Street West, Luton LU1 3BE
Tel 01582 408 675
Email
[email protected]
www.british
homeopathic.org
Aims to promote homeopathy
practised by doctors and
other healthcare professionals,
and to provide high-quality
information about the benefits
of homeopathy. Use the
website’s search facility to
find homeopathic practitioners
in your area.
Other useful organisations
Hypnotherapy
British Hypnotherapy
Association
30 Cotsford Avenue, New
Malden, Surrey KT3 5EU
Tel 020 8942 3988 /
020 8579 5533
Email [email protected]
www.hypnotherapyassociation.org
You can request a copy
of the Hypnotherapy
Handbook, which has details
of registered practitioners.
Invites anyone thinking of
having hypnotherapy to
contact them.
British Society of Clinical
and Academic Hypnosis
Inspiration House, Redbrook
Grove, Sheffield S20 6RR
Tel 0844 884 3116
Email [email protected]
www.bscah.com
An organisation of healthcare
professionals trained in
hypnosis. Aims to promote the
safe and responsible use of
hypnosis in medicine, dentistry,
and psychology. Information
on finding a hypnotherapist is
available on the website.
Clinical Register
of Hypnotherapy
24 Milton Road, Impington,
Cambridge CB24 9NF
Tel 01223 235 127
Email [email protected]
www.crah.co.uk
Aims to promote the benefits
of hypnotherapy to the
public, and to promote high
standards of training and
practice amongst practitioners.
Massage
General Council for
Massage Therapy
27 Old Gloucester Street,
London WC1N 3XX
Tel 0870 850 4452
Email [email protected]
www.gcmt.org.uk
A group of organisations
working together to develop
a set of practice and training
standards. Has details of
all the massage therapy
organisations that are
members on their website.
75
Cancer and complementary therapies
Reflexology
Reiki
Association of Reflexologists
5 Fore Street, Taunton,
Somerset TA1 1HX
Tel 08123 351 010
Email from the website
www.aor.org.uk
Website has a search facility
to help you find a reflexologist
near you. Has a lot of
information about reflexology
for the public.
Reiki Council
C/o 4 Westminster Court,
81 Albermarle Road,
Beckenham, Kent BR3 5HP
Email [email protected]
www.reikicouncil.org.uk
The leading advisory body for
Reiki practitioners in the UK.
Sets standards and guidelines
and provides information
and advice.
British Reflexology
Association
Monks Orchard, Whitbourne,
Worcester WR6 5RB
Tel 01886 821 207
Email [email protected]
www.britreflex.co.uk
A representative body for
people practising reflexology
as a profession and for
students training in reflexology.
Gives details of local
practitioners.
Shiatsu
76
The Shiatsu Society
PO Box 4580, Rugby,
Warwickshire CV21 39EL
Tel 0845 130 4560
Email [email protected]
www.shiatsusociety.org
Gives details about training
in Shiatsu and a list of
registered practitioners.
Other useful organisations
Spiritual Healing
The Healing Trust
NFSH The Healing Trust,
21 York Road, Northampton
NN1 5QG
Tel 01604 603 247
Email from the website
www.thehealingtrust.org.uk
The largest and oldest
membership organisation of
spiritual healers in the UK,
which aims to raise standards
and awareness of healing.
Has over 50 healing centres
throughout the UK.
Traditional Chinese
medicine
The Association of
Traditional Chinese
Medicine UK (ATCM)
5 Grosvenor House,
1 High Street Edgware,
London HA8 7TA
Tel 020 8951 3030
Email [email protected]
www.atcm.co.uk
A regulatory body for the
practice of acupuncture,
Chinese herbal medicine, and
Chinese therapeutic massage
in the UK. All full members
of ATCM hold a recognised
professional qualification
and adhere to the code of
professional conduct.
Register of Chinese
Herbal Medicine
Office 5, 1 Exeter Street,
Norwich NR2 4QB
Tel 01603 623 994
Email [email protected]
www.rchm.co.uk
The UK professional body
for practitioners of Chinese
herbs (often combined with
acupuncture). All members
are bound by a code of ethics
and practice. Only qualified
and professionally insured
practitioners are eligible and
accepted for membership of
the RCHM.
77
Cancer and complementary therapies
Yoga
British Wheel
of Yoga (BWY)
Central Office, 25 Jermyn
Street, Sleaford, Lincolnshire
NG34 7RU
Tel 01529 306 851
Email [email protected]
www.bwy.org.uk
The governing body for
yoga practitioners in the
UK. Provides a register of
BWY teachers.
General cancer
support organisations
Cancer Black Care
79 Acton Lane,
London NW10 8UT
Tel 020 8961 4151
(Mon–Fri, 9.30am–4.30pm)
Email
[email protected]
www.cancerblackcare.
org.uk
Offers information and
support for people with cancer
from ethnic communities,
their families, carers and
friends. Welcomes people
from different ethnic groups
including African, Asian,
78
Turkish and AfricanCaribbean communities.
The Haven
Tel (The London Haven)
020 7384 0099
Tel (The Hereford Haven)
01432 361 061
Tel (The Leeds Haven)
0113 284 7800
Email [email protected]
www.thehaven.org.uk
Currently the three centres in
London, Leeds and Hereford
provide free support and a
variety of therapies that help
people deal with the physical
and emotional effects of
breast cancer.
Irish Cancer Society
43–45 Northumberland Road,
Dublin 4, Ireland
Cancer Helpline
1800 200 700 (Mon–Thurs,
9am–7pm, Fri, 9am–5pm)
Email [email protected]
www.cancer.ie
Operates Ireland’s only
freephone cancer helpline,
which is staffed by qualified
nurses trained in cancer care.
Other useful organisations
Maggie’s Cancer
Caring Centres
8 Newton Place,
Glasgow G3 7PR
Tel 0300 123 1801
Email
[email protected]
www.maggiescentres.org
Maggie’s Centres offer free,
comprehensive support for
anyone affected by cancer.
You can access information,
benefits advice and emotional
or psychological support.
Penny Brohn Cancer Care
Chapel Pill Lane, Pill,
Bristol BS20 0HH
Tel 0845 123 2310
Email
[email protected]
www.pennybrohn
cancercare.org
Offers specialist support
based on the Bristol approach
including complementary
therapies, advice and
counselling for people living
with cancer and their family
and friends. All services are
offered free of charge.
The Royal London Hospital
for Integrated Medicine
60 Great Ormond Street,
London WC1 3HR
Tel 0845 155 5000
Email [email protected]
www.rccm.org.uk
The Royal London Hospital
for Integrated Medicine
(RLHIM) is part of University
College London Hospitals
NHS foundation trust and
accepts all NHS referrals. It
runs a complementary cancer
care clinic, which offers a
programme of treatments to
complement conventional
cancer therapies such as
chemotherapy, radiotherapy
and surgery.
Tak Tent Cancer
Support – Scotland
Flat 5, 30 Shelley Court,
Gartnavel Complex,
Glasgow G12 0YN
Tel 0141 211 0122
Email [email protected]
www.taktent.org
Offers information and
support for people with cancer,
their families and friends, and
healthcare professionals.
Runs a network of monthly
79
Cancer and complementary therapies
support groups across
Scotland. Also provides
counselling and
complementary therapies.
telephone helpline, which is
staffed by specially trained
nurses with experience in
cancer care.
Tenovus
9th Floor, Gleider House,
Ty Glas Road, Llanishen,
Cardiff CF14 5BD
Freephone helpline
0808 808 1010
Tel 029 2076 8850
Email [email protected]
www.tenovus.org.uk
Provides a variety of services
to people with cancer and
their families, including
counselling and a freephone
cancer helpline.
Counselling and
emotional support
The Ulster
Cancer Foundation
40–44 Eglantine Avenue,
Belfast BT9 6DX
Freephone helpline
0800 783 3339
Helpline email
[email protected]
Tel 028 9066 3281
Email [email protected]
www.ulstercancer.org
Provides a variety of services
to people with cancer and
their families including a free
80
British Association
for Counselling and
Psychotherapy (BACP)
BACP House, 15 St John’s
Business Park, Lutterworth
LE17 4HB
Client information helpdesk
01455 883316
General enquiries
01455 883 300
Email [email protected]
www.bacp.co.uk
Aims to promote the
awareness and availability of
counselling, and to signpost
people to appropriate services.
You can search for a qualified
counsellor on the website.
The United Kingdom
Council for
Psychotherapy (UKCP)
2nd Floor, Edward House,
2 Wakley Street,
London EC1V 7LT
Tel 020 7014 9955
Further resources
Email [email protected]
www.psychotherapy.org.uk
Holds the national register
of psychotherapists and
psychotherapeutic counsellors,
listing members who meet
exacting standards and
training requirements.
Advanced cancer/
end-of-life care
Marie Curie Cancer Care
89 Albert Embankment,
London SE1 7TP
Freephone 0800 716 146
Tel020 7599 7777 (England)
0131 561 3900 (Scotland)
01495 740 888 (Wales)
028 9088 2060 (NI)
Email [email protected]
www.mariecurie.org.uk
Marie Curie nurses provide
free end-of-life care to people
with cancer in their own
homes, 24 hours a day,
365 days a year. There are
also Marie Curie hospices
across the UK.
Further
resources
Related Macmillan
information
You may want to order some
of the booklets mentioned in
this booklet. These include:
• Coping with
advanced cancer
•
Diet and cancer
•
Eating well after
cancer treatment
•
Lost for words: how to talk
to someone with cancer
•
Physical activity and
cancer treatment
•
Recipes from Macmillan
Cancer Support
• Talking about your cancer
•
Understanding cancer
research trials (clinical trials)
To order, visit be.macmillan.
org.uk This information is also
available online.
81
Cancer and complementary therapies
Macmillan audio
resources
relaxation, meditation
and imagery.
Our high-quality audio
materials, based on our
variety of booklets, include
information about cancer
types, different treatments
and about living with cancer.
Pain Relief Foundation
Clinical Sciences Centre,
University Hospital Aintree,
Lower Lane, Liverpool L9 7AL
Tel 0151 529 5820
Email secretary@
painrelieffoundation.org.uk
www.painrelief
foundation.org.uk
Produces a variety of books,
CDs, audiotapes and
relaxation kits designed to
help you cope with pain in
your own home.
To order your free CD, visit
be.macmillan.org.uk or call
0808 808 00 00.
Suppliers of relaxation
CDs and audiotapes
Talking Life
36 Birkenhead Road, Hoylake,
Wirral CH47 3BW
Tel 0151 632 0662
Email [email protected]
www.talkinglife.co.uk
Specialist producers of
self-help and health audio
resources. They produce
different versions of a ‘stress
and relaxation’ kit, which
includes books and CDs
or audiotapes.
Penny Brohn Cancer Care
(see page 79)
Offers a variety of books,
DVDs, CDs and audiotapes
that explore methods of
82
Useful websites
A lot of information about
cancer is available on the
internet. Some websites
are excellent, others have
misleading or out-of-date
information. The sites listed
here are considered by
nurses and doctors to contain
accurate information and are
regularly updated.
Macmillan Cancer Support
www.macmillan.org.uk
Find out more about living
Further resources
with the practical, emotional
and financial effects of cancer.
Our website contains expert,
accurate and up-to-date
information on cancer and
its treatments, including:
•
all the information from
our 100+ booklets and
350+ fact sheets
experiences, advice
and support.
www.cancer.org
(American Cancer Society)
A voluntary organisation
dedicated to eliminating
cancer. Aims to do this through
research and education.
• videos featuring reallife stories from people
affected by cancer and
information from medical
professionals
www.cancerhelp.org.uk
(Cancer Research UK)
Contains patient information
on all types of cancer and has
a clinical trials database.
•
how Macmillan can help,
the services we offer and
where to get support
•
how to contact our
cancer support specialists,
including an email form
to send your questions
•
local support groups
search, links to other
cancer organisations
and a directory of
information materials
www.healthtalkonline.org
www.youthhealthtalk.org
(site for teens and
young adults)
Both websites contain
information about some
cancers and have video and
audio clips of people talking
about their experiences of
cancer and its treatments.
•
a huge online community
of people affected by
cancer sharing their
www.macmillan.org.uk/
cancervoices
(Macmillan Cancer Voices)
Macmillan Cancer Voices is a
UK-wide network that enables
people who have or have
83
Cancer and complementary therapies
had cancer, and those close
to them, such as family and
carers, to speak out about
their experience of cancer.
www.cancer.gov
(National Cancer
Institute – National
Institute of Health – USA)
Gives comprehensive
information on cancer
and its treatments.
www.nhs.uk
(NHS Choices)
NHS Choices is the online
‘front door’ to the NHS. It is
the country’s biggest health
website and gives all the
information you need to make
decisions about your health.
www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk
(NHS Direct Online)
NHS health information
site for England – covers
all aspects of health,
illness and treatments.
www.nhs24.com
(NHS 24 in Scotland)
www.nhsdirect.wales.
nhs.uk
(NHS Direct Wales)
84
www.n-i.nhs.uk
(Health and Social Care
in Northern Ireland)
www.mskcc.org
(The Memorial Sloan
Kettering Cancer Center)
Gives research-based
information on complementary
and alternative therapies.
You can search for evidencebased information on a
number of complementary
and alternative therapies
www.patient.co.uk
(Patient UK)
Provides information about
health and disease. Includes
evidence-based information
leaflets on a wide variety of
health topics. Also reviews
and links to many healthand illness-related websites.
www.riprap.org.uk
(Riprap)
Developed especially for
teenagers who have a
parent with cancer.
Questions you might like to ask your doctor, nurse or therapist
Questions you might like
to ask your doctor, nurse
or therapist
You can fill this in before you see the doctor, nurse or therapist,
and then use it to remind yourself of the questions you want to
ask, and the answers you receive.
1.
Answer
2.
Answer
3.
Answer
4.
Answer
5.
Answer
6.
Answer
85
Cancer and complementary therapies
Notes
86
Cancer and complementary therapies
Disclaimer
We make every effort to ensure that the information we provide is accurate but it
should not be relied upon to reflect the current state of medical research, which is
constantly changing. If you are concerned about your health, you should consult
a doctor. Macmillan cannot accept liability for any loss or damage resulting from
any inaccuracy in this information or third-party information, such as information
on websites to which we link. We feature real-life stories in all of our articles.
Some photographs are of models.
Thanks
This booklet has been written, revised and edited by Macmillan Cancer Support’s
Cancer Information Development team. It has been approved by our medical editor,
Dr Terry Priestman, Consultant Clinical Oncologist.
With thanks to: Elaine Cooper, Clinical Lead Specialist – Complementary Therapies,
Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust; Tina Glynn, Programme Manager – The Haven;
Angela Green, Clinical Lead Complementary Therapy, Velindre Cancer Centre;
Dr Sosie Kassab, Director of Complementary Cancer Services – Royal London
Hospital for Integrative Medicine; and the people affected by cancer who reviewed
this edition.
All patient quotes sourced from Healthtalkonline www.healthtalkonline.org
Sources
Abrams D, Weil A. Integrative Oncology. 1st edition. 2009. Oxford University Press.
Beuth J, Moss R. Complementary oncology: adjunctive methods in the treatment of
cancer. 2002. Thieme.
D’Andrea, Gabriella M. Use of antioxidants during chemotherapy and
radiotherapy should be avoided. CA: Clinical Journal for Clinicians. 2005. 55(5)
319–321.
Deng G, et al. Evidence-based clinical practice guidelines for integrative oncology:
complementary therapies and botanicals. Journal of the Society for Integrative
87
Cancer and complementary therapies
Oncology. 2009. 7(3):85–120.
Ezzo J, et al. Acupuncture-point stimulation for chemotherapy-induced nausea or
vomiting (review). The Cochrane Library. 2010. Issue 11.
Horneber M, et al. Mistletoe therapy in oncology (Review). The Cochrane Library.
2010. Issue 4.
Kassab S, et al. Homeopathic medicines for the adverse effects of cancer
treatments (Review). The Cochrane Library. 2010. Issue 11.
McGann P H. Randomized trials of antioxidant supplementation for cancer
prevention. JAMA. Jan 2009. 102–103.
Micozzi M. Complementary and Integrative Medicine in Cancer Care and
Prevention. 1st edition. 2007. Springer Publishing Co.
Paley CA, et al. Acupuncture for cancer pain in adults (review). The Cochrane
Library. 2011. Issue 1.
Rao M R, et al. Anxiolytic effects of a yoga program in early breast cancer patients
undergoing conventional treatment: a randomized controlled trial. Complementary
Therapeutic Medicine. Jan 2009. 17(1):1–8.
88
Can you do something to help?
We hope this booklet has been useful to you. It’s just one of our
many publications that are available free to anyone affected by
cancer. They’re produced by our cancer information specialists
who, along with our nurses, benefits advisers, campaigners and
volunteers, are part of the Macmillan team. When people are
facing the toughest fight of their lives, we’re there to support
them every step of the way.
We want to make sure no one has to go through cancer alone,
so we need more people to help us. When the time is right for you,
here are some ways in which you can become a part of our team.
5 ways
you can someone
hElP with
cAncer
Share your cancer experience
Support people living with cancer by telling your story,
online, in the media or face-to-face.
Campaign for change
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Take an action, big or small, for better cancer care.
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Or just a cup of tea and a chat. Could you lend a hand?
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Do you pay tax? If so, your gift will
be worth almost a third more to us –
at no extra cost to you. All you have
to do is write your name below, and
the tax office will give 25p for every
pound you give.
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£
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Please accept my gift of £
(Please delete as appropriate)
I enclose a cheque / postal order /
Charity Voucher made payable to
Macmillan Cancer Support
OR debit my:
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In order to carry out our work we may need to
pass your details to agents or partners who act
on our behalf.
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I understand that I must pay an amount of
Income Tax and/or Capital Gains Tax for
each tax year (6 April one year to 5 April the
next) that is at least equal to the amount of
tax that Macmillan will reclaim on my gifts
for that tax year.
Macmillan Cancer Support and our trading
companies would like to hold your details in
order to contact you about our fundraising,
campaigning and services for people affected
by cancer. If you would prefer us not to use
your details in this way please tick this box. o
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I am a UK taxpayer and I
would like Macmillan Cancer
Support to treat all donations
I have made for the six years
prior to this year and all
donations I make in future
as Gift Aid donations, until I
notify you otherwise.
£££
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If you’d rather donate online, go to macmillan.org.uk/donate
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Please cut out this form and return it in an envelope (no stamp required) to:
Supporter Donations, Macmillan Cancer Support, FREEPOST LON15851,
89 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7UQ 27530
Cancer is the toughest fight most of us
will ever face. If you or a loved one has
been diagnosed, you need a team of
people in your corner, supporting you
every step of the way. That’s who we are.
We are the nurses and therapists helping you through
treatment. The experts on the end of the phone.
The advisers telling you which benefits you’re entitled to.
The volunteers giving you a hand with the everyday
things. The campaigners improving cancer care.
The community supporting you online, any time.
The fundraisers who make it all possible.
You don’t have to face cancer alone.
We can give you the strength to get through it.
We are Macmillan Cancer Support.
Questions about living with cancer?
Call free on 0808 808 00 00 (Mon–Fri, 9am–8pm)
Alternatively, visit macmillan.org.uk
Hard of hearing? Use textphone
0808 808 0121, or Text Relay.
Non-English speaker? Interpreters available.
Printed using sustainable material. Please recycle.
© Macmillan Cancer Support, 2011. 7th edition. MAC11645. Next planned review 2013.
Registered charity in England and Wales (261017), Scotland (SC039907) and the Isle of Man (604).