Complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) are treatments and therapies that are different from conventional or standard medical treatment.
Some people use complementary medicine together with standard medical treatment. They use alternative medicine instead of standard medical treatment.
There are many different types of CAM therapies.
Other names for CAM therapies are 'natural remedies', 'traditional' or 'alternative' medicines.
These include:
Talk to your child's healthcare team before starting any CAM therapy or treatment.
Complementary or alternative medicine also includes:
New Zealand's 2 specialist treatment centres for childhood cancer use standard medical treatment (conventional treatment). There is scientific evidence that supports standard medical treatment and shows that the treatment provides the best chance for cure.
There is some scientific evidence for some CAM treatments. But, there are important questions about most CAM therapies that still need answers:
Read more about childhood cancer treatments [1]
Many families think about using CAM for their child with cancer. If you are thinking about this, please talk to your child's healthcare team first.
The following are some of the problems with CAM treatments for children with cancer.
Some CAM therapies, treatments and products may be safe for children with cancer, while others may interfere with treatment. For example, some natural products and vitamins may interfere with how well chemotherapy works. Some products may have side effects that can interfere with other parts of cancer treatment.
Herbal and natural products may contain bacteria or fungi, increasing your child's risk for infection, particularly at a time when they are very vulnerable.
Some CAM therapies and products may be unsafe for children who have low blood counts.
Remember, it is very important to discuss any plans for using any kind of CAM therapies or products with your child's healthcare team. CAM products include any vitamins, remedies or natural products you are thinking of giving to your child.
Your child's healthcare team need to know about all your child's therapies. This is to make sure your child gets the safest and most effective care possible.
The doctors and nurses in your child's healthcare team will listen to what you have to say and be more than happy to talk with you about any risks and benefits of all your child's treatments. Sometimes, there is not any information available to give you about the safety of combining CAM products with standard therapy.
Please tell your child's doctors and nurses about all of your child's medicines, including:
Certain types of CAM therapy may help with your child's cancer treatment symptoms.
Some CAM therapies can help reduce stress and help your child feel more relaxed and comfortable.
Examples of CAM therapies that can sometimes help children having cancer treatment include:
Talk with your child's healthcare team if you would like to use any of these methods during your child's treatment.
You can also read more general advice for parents about complementary and alternative medicine [2]
All the pages in the childhood cancer section of this website [3] have been written by health professionals who work in the field of paediatric oncology. They have been reviewed by the members of the National Child Cancer Network (NZ). Medical information is authorised by the clinical leader of the National Child Cancer Network.
This page last reviewed 13 May 2021.
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Links
[1] https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/tags/childhood-cancer-treatments
[2] https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/advice-parents-about-complementary-alternative-medicine
[3] https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/tags/childhood-cancer
[4] https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/contact?from=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kidshealth.org.nz%2Fprint%2F500%3Flanguage%3Dmi