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If you are undergoing treatment for cancer, you may have heard about complementary and alternative medicine (CAM).

First, it’s important to distinguish the difference between complementary and alternative medicine.

Complementary, or integrative medicine and wellness treatments supplement traditional cancer treatments such as radiation therapy, chemotherapy and surgery.

For example, Reiki, a gentle, completely non-invasive practice that promotes integrated into a patient’s established medical treatment plan. Reiki may minimize or reduce side effects of cancer and cancer treatment, and promote healing and recovery.

Other complementary therapies include:

• Acupuncture
• Diet and Nutrition
• Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Therapy
• Massage
• Yoga
• Exercise/Rehabilitation

Alternative medicine may be used in place of traditional cancer treatment. Patients seeking alternative treatments for cancer should know that alternative medicine for cancer may not be research-based.

Complementary and Integrative Medicine Research at Penn

Integrative medicine is a total approach to care that involves the patient's mind, body, and spirit. It combines standard medicine with the CAM practices that have shown the most promise. Research being conducted at Penn Medicine tests the effects and mechanisms of promising health behaviors and integrative therapeutic approaches for symptom management and wellness promotion in cancer.

Additionally, through educational programs at Penn, patients are empowered with the information to make the informed decisions about their cancer care.

Researchers are Penn are exploring ways to best incorporate integrative therapies safely and effectively into the conventional medical therapies to create patient-centered care for optimal health and healing.