Integrative medicine: complementary therapies and supplements

Many patients with cancer or other urologic disorders use complementary therapies in an effort to control symptoms and to prevent and treat disease. Complementary modalities are adjuncts to mainstream treatment. These safe, evidence-based therapies reduce symptoms associated with treatment of urologic cancers and other illnesses. They are to be distinguished from 'alternative therapies', which are unproven, potentially harmful, and often promoted as substitutes for mainstream medical care. Accumulating evidence supports the beneficial impact of complementary therapies, such as acupuncture, yoga, meditation and physical activity, on physical and emotional symptoms associated with cancer treatment, for which there are few effective standard interventions. Herbs and other dietary supplements are unlikely to be beneficial, and might be problematic or dangerous when taken during cancer treatment.