How useful are alternative treatment methods?
A large number of alternative treatment methods for the treatment of breast cancer are offered on various platforms as well as by alternative practitioners and alternative medical centers. Here it must be clearly stated that a single alternative treatment method is not appropriate in the therapy of breast cancer. Under certain circumstances, an additional alternative treatment method can be introduced parallel to the classical therapy regime of conventional medicine, but this should always be discussed with the treating physicians in advance. It is also important to know that the effectiveness of alternative treatment methods on breast cancer itself has not yet been scientifically proven, while the “classic” treatment can now show very good cure rates. Frequently, alternative methods are used to reduce or improve the side effects of surgical or drug therapy for breast cancer.
Psychological support
Breast cancer can be stressful for the patient and his or her relatives from the time of diagnosis until the time after therapy is completed. For this reason, psychological support is usually also offered in the special breast cancer centers. The principle is: Everything can but nothing must.
The range of psychological support is very broad. For example, there are many self-help groups where those affected can exchange information about problems and fears. In addition, various institutions offer coping strategies especially for cancer.
These include, for example, relaxation therapies or offers in which fears and worries are expressed through creativity. Of course, there is also the possibility of psycho-oncological care, i.e. care that deals specifically with cancer. This is carried out by specialized experts who have experience with breast cancer and the psychological stress associated with it. Finally, in some cases a temporary drug therapy can be useful as a support for psychological care.
What can the relatives do?
Breast cancer often affects not only the patient himself, but also his immediate surroundings. Relatives often find it difficult to talk openly with the person affected about the cancer, even though they would like to help. Experts from the field of psycho-oncology recommend that relatives should ask the patient how they can best help him or her in the current situation.
This in no way indicates ignorance or weakness. Furthermore, it is essential for the patient and also his relatives to talk to each other about fears, worries or problems. On the one hand, this promotes processing and, on the other hand, it allows for sympathy to be shown towards the person concerned.
A further possibility in which the relatives can provide support is the search for information. Breast cancer is a broadly diversified disease pattern and a large amount of information can be found in the media. When researching the various treatment options, for example, help can often be very welcome. The only important thing is not to impose your own opinion on the patient, since the individual decision on all therapeutic steps should always be made by the patient himself, after consultation with a specialized doctor.
