What is complementary and alternative medicine, or CAM?
Treatment for medical problems typically fits into one of three categories:
Standard care is also called "traditional" or "conventional" care. It refers to typical Western medicine. For breast cancer, that includes chemotherapy, hormone therapy, radiation, and surgery.
Complementary treatment refers to any type of care that you use along with standard care.
Many complementary treatments may hold great value. But there’s often a lack of research regarding their risks, benefits, side effects, and how they might interact with standard care.
But research into CAM is growing. Complementary therapies are becoming part of doctors' treatment options. And more and more doctors are recommending them to patients.
Alternative treatment refers to care that you use to replace standard care as an alternative to the Western medical approach.
Alternative treatments have been used worldwide for centuries. But like complementary treatments, they haven't gone through rigorous testing.
Can herbs, supplements, and botanicals help with breast cancer?
Antioxidants that have been studied to prevent or treat cancer include vitamins C and E and co-enzyme Q10. Studies have not shown that they are helpful.
Precautions: Talk with your doctor before taking any vitamin, mineral, or herbal supplements, especially in high doses. This includes garlic capsules, ginseng, ginkgo, soy, and valerian. Some of these supplements can affect cancer treatment. For example, St. John's wort, which is used for depression, can block certain cancer drugs. High doses of vitamin C, an antioxidant, can change the way chemotherapy and radiation affect your body.
Also, the safety, effectiveness, and manufacture of dietary supplements aren't regulated as strictly as prescription medications.
https://www.webmd.com/breast-cancer/complementary-and-alternative-treatments-for-breast-cancer#1
ROJ@20may7