Finding information on complementary therapies

There are many things to think about as you decide whether to use complementary therapies. It’s important to make an informed choice that feels right for you. To decide whether a complementary therapy is the right choice for you:

Look for information about the specific therapy.
Evaluate the therapy you are thinking about using.
Talk to your doctor or another member of your healthcare team.
Talk to a qualified complementary therapy practitioner.
Think about the financial costs to you and your family.

Finding information

Start with some research before you begin any complementary therapy. Unless you are receiving integrative cancer care, finding information will likely be up to you. Once you’ve done some research, then you can talk to your doctor in more detail about whether the therapy is right for you.

The Internet

Finding information on the Internet can be a quick way to learn about all sorts of health issues but it isn’t perfect. There are no regulations as to what can be posted on a site and it’s often hard to know whether the information is accurate, complete or relevant to your situation.

To help make sure that the information you get from the Internet is trustworthy, look for:

Websites run by the government, hospitals and healthcare centres, academic and research facilities, or other credible not-for-profit groups. Look for the HONcode logo that shows they've been approved by the Health on the Net Foundation.
Information that is up to date. Check the date when the information was posted or updated, and the dates of any scientific studies or reports.
Information that is easy to read and explained clearly. The site should guide you easily through the information. There should be an option to send in questions and links to other sites that may be helpful.
Information that is relevant to cancer and written for Canadians.

Claiming to cure cancer

Beware of sites that have many patient stories about cures or claim to have the cure for cancer, especially if the cure is for sale. A credible site will not make this claim. Look for references if the website claims to have done studies.

Resource centres and libraries

Many hospitals and treatment centres have libraries or resource centres that can help you find information that fits your needs. Ask whether there is a library or resource centre at your hospital or treatment centre.

A library is a good place to find information on conventional cancer treatments and complementary therapies. In addition to books, magazines and journals, many libraries also have audio books, videos and DVDs you can borrow.

Need more information?

You can e-mail us or call our Cancer Information Service at 1 888 939-3333.

Last modified on: 13 September 2011