Being confronted with a diagnosis of skin cancer is scary. Friends, relatives and even strangers may offer you advice on all different types of treatments, telling you stories of someone they know who "cured" their cancer with vitamins, supplements or some other alternative treatment-all without suffering from any of the side effects common with cancer medications. As you are wondering what to do, these claims sound promising and intriguing. But before you decide whether to forego the traditional medical care, do your research about alternative treatments.

The Difference Between Alternative and Complementary Treatments

While the terms alternative and complementary are sometimes used interchangeably, there is a difference. A complementary treatment is one that is used alongside traditional medical treatment. (Stay tuned for next week's post when we talk about different complementary treatments.) Alternative treatments are those that replace traditional treatment methods.

Examples of Alternative Treatments

As with any illness or disorder, an internet search provides an array of natural or alternative treatments. For skin cancer, some of the alternative treatments include:

• Cymilium (an over-the counter insect bite remedy)
• Coconut oil
• Black Salve
• Green Tea
• Iodine
• Herbal supplements

Why Alternative Treatments?

Alternative treatments are an attractive choice for many because they are touted as being "natural" or having no (or little) side effects. When we hear the word "natural" we automatically associate it with safety. Because many alternative treatments are made from natural ingredients, we believe they are safe to take and we don't need to discuss their use with our doctor. This is not necessarily true. Natural ingredients can still cause harmful side effects or interfere with other medications. In some cases, herbal supplements that were once readily available have been banned because of possible deaths related to their use. There are some which may interfere with the effectiveness of other medications you are taking, for your skin cancer or for a different condition.

A number of alternative treatments have been in use for thousands of years or, if not the exact treatment, then the current treatment has been derived from a folk remedy that has been used for generations. But having been around for a long time doesn't necessarily mean effective. Sometimes, the placebo effect comes in to play. People believe that a treatment is going to work, going to make them feel better and because of that, at least for the short-term, they do. But in the long-term, the treatment may not work any better than doing nothing at all.

Precautions You Should Take Before Using Alternative Treatments

Alternative treatments are not necessarily bad for you. There are some that won't cause any harm, even though they may not help. There are some that can help reduce side effects of traditional medications. But before trying any alternative medications, there are precautions you should take: