Complementary Modalities in the Management of Symptoms of Breast Cancer

In patients undergoing treatment for breast cancer, symptoms such as lymphedema, reduced mobility, pain, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, insomnia, hot flashes, depression, and anxiety may develop during the active treatment and survival process. Complementary health approaches include cost-effective traditional methods that can be applied alongside medical treatment, and it is widely used in the management of symptoms seen in breast cancer. Complementary approaches are divided into five groups as follows: whole medical systems, mind–body therapies, biologically based practices, manipulative and body-based practices, and energy healing. Complementary health approaches should be used with caution in patients because of the lack of information regarding their risks, benefits, side effects, and possible interactions with standard cancer treatments. Contraindicated conditions should be recognized, and patients should be carefully cautioned and monitored for known side effects of these approaches.