Alternative Mesothelioma Therapies
Alternative therapies are those which the medical profession would deem to be outside accepted scientific and traditional methods of treatment. While studies are inconclusive as the medicinal effectiveness of these therapies, many patients suffering from cancer find the valuable for treating personal symptoms. Because the medicinal value of these tests is questionable they are generally regarded as holistic treatments, meaning they appeal to the emotions and senses more than they do to traditional treatment of diseases. Because these theories are ancillary to existing methodologies, they may not be endorsed openly by physicians and are often not covered by insurance coverage.
Many patients used alternative therapies for the purpose of comfort and physicians will usually not discourage these practices if they fall within the parameters of an existing treatment program. In fact, if a patient is showing progress with tradition therapies the physician may encourage them to continue complementing their treatment with alternative therapies. However, when treating cancer, the patient's treatment plan must be followed carefully and any alternative therapies that are interfering with traditional treatments (such as nutrition) may have to be phased out until the physician feels they are healthy enough to continue.
It is not unheard of for particularly spiritual individuals to forgo traditional treatments for their disease in hopes of progress with alternative therapies, which generally do not accompany the difficult side effects of chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgical resection. Some have successfully treated diseases, including cancer, beyond what their physicians had thought possible through alternative therapies. It should be said however, that these were not established clinical trials and would likely be considered by the medical elite as statistical anomalies.
Patients of mesothelioma may find alternative therapies helpful, especially in conjunction with traditional treatment methods. It is important however, to speak with your physician about these therapies before beginning as to ensure they will not interfere with your ongoing treatment plans.
