Complementary Medicine Program

Non-Traditional Therapies to Support Conventional Treatment

When carried out under the direction of Cooper physicians, complementary therapies can often reduce the pain and anxiety associated with cancer.

For cancer patients, mind-body practices can be a blessing. Here’s how they help:

• Reduce stress: A Harvard study showed that meditation lowered heart rate and blood pressure and reduced stress hormones.
• Improve mood: In Canada, cancer patients reported less anxiety and depression.
• Enhance overall health: Cancer patients in Ohio who learned conscious relaxation ate better, stopped smoking, and showed marked improvement in immune function.

Mind-Body Practices to Support Cancer Treatment

The Diane Barton Cooper Complementary Medicine Program is a core component of The Cooper Cancer Institute. As such, Cooper is committed to offering the broadest range of therapies. These include treatments carefully designed to enhance traditional care.

The Complementary Medicine Program at Cooper is open to anyone touched by cancer. This includes the families and caregivers of cancer patients - whether or not they were treated by Cooper Cancer Institute.

Physician Supervision

Important Advances in cancer treatment mean that more people are living longer. However, their quality of life is not necessarily better.

Cancer diagnoses and treatment can be stressful. Doctors often recommend that patients consider complementary therapies that focus on mind, body, and spirit. In many cases, patients themselves inquire about such therapies and those qualified to provide them.

Although experience has shown that such complementary therapies can be very beneficial, it is important that they be administered only under the supervision of qualified physicians. In this way, the best interests of patients are protected and no therapies are prescribed that will interfere with the effectiveness of conventional cancer care.

A Wide Selection of Complementary Therapies

The Diane Barton Complementary Medicine Program offers a variety of mind-body therapies performed by well-trained, certified therapists. It is important to recognize that these therapies cannot cure cancer. However, many patients have found them to be of significant help. For example, complementary treatments can sometimes assist in reducing pain, lessen anxiety, alleviate the side effects of chemotherapy or other traditional treatments, and promote a sense of well-being.

These programs include:

• Acupuncture
• Reflexology
• Massage
• Reiki
• Meditation / Expressive Therapies
• Yoga
• Nutrition
• Support Groups
• Qi-Gong

Cancer patients, family members, and caregivers are encouraged to contact The Diane Barton Complementary Medicine Program at Cooper to learn more about these therapies and the important benefits they offer.