Complementary medicine is usually defined as treatment outside the common medical treatment (chemo, radiation, surgery, etc) and not a standard therapy. An example would be using acupuncture to reduce chemo related nausea. Alternative medicine is commonly understood as a different treatment than the standard chemotherapy. an example would be using alkaline diet instead of radiation in treating cervical cancer.
Some of these alternative and complementary treatments are recommended as a more natural treatment than the standard cancer medication. However, being natural does not mean safe. A herb called Kava Kava which has been used for stress relief may cause liver damage. Even vitamin C, taken in a high dose, may adversely affect the effectiveness of chemotherapy.
Thus, it is very important that you share all your medication and alternative treatments with you oncologists.
A good resource of non-standard medicine is in NCI.gov
Some of these alternative and complementary treatments are recommended as a more natural treatment than the standard cancer medication. However, being natural does not mean safe. A herb called Kava Kava which has been used for stress relief may cause liver damage. Even vitamin C, taken in a high dose, may adversely affect the effectiveness of chemotherapy.
Thus, it is very important that you share all your medication and alternative treatments with you oncologists.
A good resource of non-standard medicine is in NCI.gov