Cancer treatment can be complex. It may involve chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, or a combination of these treatments. Some non-traditional therapies may be used in tandem with these standard treatments. They are called complementary therapies or sometimes CAM, short for complementary and alternative medicine. Today, many cancer specialists support the use of complementary therapies to augment standard treatment....

Lymphedema is swelling caused by a buildup of lymph fluid. This type of swelling most often occurs in the arms or legs, but it can also affect other parts of the body. Lymphedema is very common in people who have had cancer. Understanding more about it may help you avoid it or manage it if it occurs. What causes lymphedema? Your body has a system of lymph vessels that are something like blood vessels. But instead...

Having the support of family and friends is important if you have cancer, but sometimes nothing beats talking to someone who is in the same boat. Support groups provide an opportunity for people with cancer to share their feelings, talk about their concerns, and learn more about solving problems. Many people with cancer say that support groups provide them with a feeling that they are not alone. There is evidence...

In movies about the old west, a cowboy getting a bullet taken out might get a shot of whiskey or a rag to bite down on. Anesthesia has come a long way since then. Doctors now have a wide array of medicines to help prevent pain during medical procedures. What are the types of anesthesia? Local anesthesia is used to numb only a small area. It doesn’t put you to sleep. It may be used if you get stitches or...

Mouth sores can be a common and bothersome side effect of chemotherapy and some radiation treatments. Sores (or ulcers) usually appear 5 to 10 days after chemotherapy begins or a couple of weeks after radiation treatments start. The sores can be very painful. Getting proper nutrition may become a concern because eating can make the pain worse. It can also make it hard to talk and swallow. Why do sores occur? Cells...