Complementary and alternative medicine includes a broad range of healing philosophies, approaches, and therapies.

The Lung Cancer Alliance takes no position on the validity or effectiveness of these treatments.

The terms "complementary" and "alternative" medicine often are used interchangeably.A therapy is generally called "complementary" when it is used in addition to rather than in place of conventional treatment. This is called an "integrative approach" to treatment.

A therapy is sometimes called "alternative" when it is used instead of conventional treatment.

Most people with lung cancer who use some form of a complementary medicine use it in combination with their conventional treatments. Some people have chosen to use alternative methods alone, or after conventional treatments have failed.

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For more information on Complementary and Alternative Medicine:

The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM)
Conducts and supports basic and applied research and training and disseminates information on complementary and alternative medicine to practitioners and the public. The NCCAM does not serve as a referral agency for various alternative medical treatments or individual practitioners. The NCCAM facilitates and conducts biomedical research.

Complementary/Integrative Medicine at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
One of many sites nationwide established by the National Institutes of Health that evaluates alternative treatments for a range of conditions and diseases. Links to the other sites are provided.

Dr. Andrew Weil, M.D.,
DrWeil.com is the leading online resource for healthy living based on an integrative medicine philosophy. For the last seven years, DrWeil.com has helped millions of consumers and health professionals stay abreast of news and information in the field though the site, as well as e-mailed Daily Tips and Weekly Bulletin health updates.

Quackwatch.
Stephen Barrett, M.D., a retired psychiatrist and author, offers cautionary information on evaluating alternative therapies.