Complementary and Alternative Therapy for Breast Cancer The term "complementary and alternative medicine" (CAM) covers a multitude of practices, agents, and practitioners. The term "alternative" refers to treatments used instead of conventional medicine for cancer; "complementary" treatments are those used in addition to conventional medicine. This distinction is important, but only a small minority of patients with biopsy-proven cancers completely bypass conventional treatment.1 High-profile patients, such as Suzanne Somers, who initially opt for an herbal treatment instead of chemotherapy for breast cancer make the news but do not represent a trend.2 Many more patients use CAM in addition to rather than instead of conventional treatment, and many use CAM primarily to treat symptoms or side effects or to maintain general health and well-being. However, patients are rationally concerned about the effect of any such measures on their prospects for survival and disease-free survival. Although CAM practitioners may distinguish healing (ie, promoting the individual's self-fulfillment or wholeness) from curing (ie, making the disease go away), most patients with cancer want a cure, and this desire colors many of the decisions they make. [01/18/2002; Cancer Practice] Remember we are NOT Doctors and have NO medical training. This site is like an Encylopedia - there are many pages, many links on many topics. Support our work with any size DONATION - see left side of any page - for how to donate. You can help raise awareness of CAM.