Understanding Complementary Therapies

This booklet has been prepared to help you understand more about complementary therapies, which are used in combination with conventional cancer treatment. There are many reasons why people with cancer consider using complementary therapies. They may offer you physical, emotional and spiritual support, reduce side effects from medical treatment, and improve your quality of life.

This booklet provides an overview of the role of complementary therapies in cancer care. It does not include in-depth information about alternative therapies. If you want to use complementary therapies, discuss this with your doctors, pharmacists and other professionals qualified in the therapies that interest you.

Some terms that may be unfamiliar are explained in the glossary. You may also like to pass this booklet to your family and friends for their information.