Cancer and alternative medicine: the dangers to avoid

In an interview with the Australian magazine Women’s Weekly supermodel Elle Macpherson has revealed that she overcame her breast cancer by choosing alternative treatments instead of conventional chemotherapy. Faced with these revelations, Dr. Kierzek alerts us.

Although some very localized cancers may sometimes not require chemotherapy, this approach is often still recommended to maximize the chances of remission and prevent recurrences.

Traditionally, the addition of chemotherapy occurs at two times:

• Before surgery, to make the operation easier when the cancer is too big;
• As a supplement afterwards, to give yourself the best possible chance of eliminating microscopic, non-visible cancer residues.

Preventive chemotherapy is recommended if the risk of recurrence or metastasis is high. This does not mean that the patient will definitely relapse, but studies show that chemotherapy improves the chances of remission.

Alternative medicines: risks and realities

Complementary approaches such as acupuncture, naturopathy, and meditation can be beneficial when used alongside conventional medical treatments. However, it is crucial that they are not considered alternatives to established cancer treatments. Risks include:

• Increased mortality : patients using only alternative treatments have a risk of death multiplied by 2 to 5;
• Toxicity : some alternative therapies can be harmful;
• Negative interactions : these treatments may interfere with conventional therapies;
• Processing delay : choosing unconventional approaches may delay needed care.

It is therefore essential to always consult your doctor and discuss the therapeutic strategies proposed within the framework of multidisciplinary consultation meetings (RCPs).

Advice from Dr Gérald Kierzek

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