{"id":299,"date":"2013-11-27T07:51:39","date_gmt":"2013-11-27T13:51:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.mesotheliomabook.com\/blog\/?p=299"},"modified":"2014-10-29T12:27:12","modified_gmt":"2014-10-29T17:27:12","slug":"complementary-alternative-medicine-treatments-mesothelioma-understanding-difference-types-benefits","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomabook.com\/blog\/complementary-alternative-medicine-treatments-mesothelioma-understanding-difference-types-benefits\/","title":{"rendered":"Complementary and Alternative Medicine Treatments for Mesothelioma: Understanding the Difference, Types, Benefits"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n\n
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Complementary and Alternative Medicine, dubbed \u201cCAM\u201d by the National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health, refers to treatments that are not part of traditional medical practices.\u00a0 Although the terms \u201ccomplementary\u201d and \u201calternative\u201d are often used interchangeably, there are several significant differences between the two.<\/p>\n

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Complementary<\/i> treatments are used along with<\/b> conventional medicine\u2014as a \u201ccomplement\u201d to these treatments\u2014hence the name \u201ccomplementary.\u201d \u00a0According to the Merck Manual Home Health Handbook, complementary treatments have been shown to help ease many of the symptoms associated with mesothelioma and asbestosis.<\/p>\n

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These treatments may also improve the quality of life of mesothelioma and asbestosis patients by lessening the side effects of conventional treatments such as chemotherapy and providing psychological and physical benefits.<\/p>\n

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Alternative<\/i> treatments are often used instead of<\/b> conventional treatments. \u00a0Some of these therapies are unproven, and many claim to prevent, lessen, or even cure disease. \u00a0Proven treatments are evidence-based, conventional, mainstream, or standard medical treatments that have been tested following a strict set of guidelines and found to be safe and effective.<\/p>\n

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Study results for proven treatments have been published in peer-reviewed journals and these treatments have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).<\/p>\n

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Still, the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) says that in 2007, roughly 38 percent of U.S. adults aged 18 years and over and 12 percent of children used some form of CAM. \u00a0This amounts to $33.9 billion\u2014mostly out-of pocket. \u00a0Further, more than 50 percent of cancer patients use some form of complementary and\/or alternative medicine, spending more than $25 billion each year, and 80 percent of the world\u2019s population uses herbal medicine\u2014a complementary therapy.<\/p>\n

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Some of the most popular types of complementary therapies include:<\/p>\n

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