Complementary and alternative therapies for cancer of the prostate are health care practices that are not usually part of common medical treatment methods. These therapies can include natural cures for prostate cancer such as herbs, vitamins and minerals and dietary supplements. They can also be procedures such as acupuncture, massage, homeopathy and the use of magnetic fields.
Most medical societies are not advocating natural cures for prostate cancer as a lone treatment method. According to them, these alternative therapies should be used in conjunction with regular treatment options and should not be expected to cure cancer. Some scientists are against the use of these alternative methods because they allegedly create false hopes. Scientists have warned that alternative cures should be considered as methods designed to improve the quality of life of a cancer patient and not to treat cancer. They also cautioned that although some alternative therapies are harmless, they might detract, delay or interfere with regular therapy which could create negative results.
One example of these alternative therapies is homeopathy. Homeopathy is a treatment philosophy that follows the like-cures-like principle. The basic principle is that substances that cause symptoms of illness in healthy people can be used in small doses to cure similar symptoms among those who are ill. Advocates of this philosophy have recommended Chimapilla, umbellata, Clematis, Causticum, Staphysagria and Bartya carb as homeopathic remedies.
Some studies have also advocated the use of magnetic fields to cure cancer in the prostate. It has been suggested that sitting for hours in a magnetic pad can inhibit the growth of prostate tumors. This result is allegedly due to the ability of the north pole-associated field to slow down the biological growth of a tumor. In this therapy, the magnet's north pole field is the only one used to treat prostate cancer.
Acupuncture and massage are primarily recommended as complementary therapies to relieve some of the stress and tension that can result from being diagnosed with cancer. These procedures are primarily used as complementary and not as alternative treatments. The importance of maintaining a more relaxed body and mind can help a cancer patient cope better with the disease. Most doctors do not oppose the use of massage and acupuncture as long as it does not interfere with a patient's regular treatment regimen.
The debate on the effectiveness of complementary treatments, alternative therapies and natural cures for prostate cancer is still ongoing. For patients, the best thing to do is to discuss with their doctors the advantages and disadvantages of adding these methods to their regular treatment programs.