DR BEN FORSTER
  • Home
  • Services
  • Patient information
    • Your appointment
    • Managing side effects
    • Clinical trials
    • Hair loss and scalp cooling
    • Exercise
    • Sleep
    • Complementary therapies
  • About
  • Contact us


​Complementary therapies 


Herbal medicines

Herbal treatments derived from plants or combinations of plant extracts are 'natural' but this does not necessarily mean they are safe. Some have been well evaluated and can help with some treatment related symptoms, but many herbs can interact with cancer treatments by making them more toxic or less effective. As it’s often not possible to know all the effects of herbs and possible interactions with cancer treatments, I would advise that herbal medicines be avoided during, and for a few weeks before and after, treatment with chemotherapy or radiotherapy.

About Herbs - Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre Integrative Medicine website

Vitamins

Many vitamins (such as vitamins A, C and E, coenzyme Q10 and selenium) are antioxidants which can help to prevent cell damage. Whilst they may be a good thing in times of health, during cancer treatment they may in fact make the treatment less effective by making cancer cells less susceptible to damage also. For this reason I recommend that you don’t take antioxidant supplements during your treatment.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture may be helpful in relieving symptoms associated with cancer and its treatments such as pain, nausea, dry mouth, anxiety, hot flashes and peripheral neuropathy. 

Evidence for acupuncture in cancer side effect management

Meditation

Smiling mind mindfulness app

Headspace meditation app

Mindfulness meditation for people with cancer

© DR BEN FORSTER 2021
  • Home
  • Services
  • Patient information
    • Your appointment
    • Managing side effects
    • Clinical trials
    • Hair loss and scalp cooling
    • Exercise
    • Sleep
    • Complementary therapies
  • About
  • Contact us