The aftermath of asbestos usage in the United States has left an often tragic and even devastating path of destruction for exposure victims. For close to 100 years, between the late 1800s and mid- to late-1900s, millions of people were unknowingly exposed to a toxic and potentially fatal material. Many were exposed at work, while others came into contact with asbestos in their own homes-either from building components used during construction or through a process called secondary exposure.
Life after asbestos goes on with no detectable consequences for many people. But for the small and unfortunate portion that develops an asbestos-linked illness-such as asbestosis, mesothelioma or other forms of cancer-life is never the same again. All of these chronic and pervasive conditions cause significant physical and emotional distress for the victim-and in the case of mesothelioma cancers, death.
There is much information available about asbestos, its consequences and options for legal recourses. To offer victims of asbestos an easy and straightforward guide that is designed to cover a myriad of topics-from veteran exposure and cutting-edge treatment options to choosing a legal representative and taking your personal injury case to court.
PART XVII: TYPES OF ALTERNATIVE TREATMENT FOR MESOTHELIOMA
After reviewing the three conventional modes of treatment for mesothelioma-surgery, chemo and radiation therapy-we will now present a brief overview of some alternative medicine approaches. Natural or alternative techniques used as supplemental therapy during an oncologist-prescribed course of treatment are defined as complementary medicine, offering possible support in the treatment and palliative care of terminal patients.
Regarding Efficacy, Research and Science
It’s important to note that none of the methods listed below have received approval from the FDA and are not widely accepted by the American medical community. While some alternative treatment methods have received limited testing and evaluation in a research environment, most have not been backed by sufficient empirical data. The efficacy of homeopathic remedies is reported by word-of-mouth and has not been substantiated in the vast majority of cases.
That being said, around 70 percent of mesothelioma cancer victims report using one or more forms of alternative medicine as a complementary treatment. What’s more, most all notable “survivors”-individuals who have lived in long-term remission from the disease-credit at least one alternative treatment for mesothelioma as, at least in some part, responsible for their exceptional mesothelioma survival rate.
Popular Types of Alternative Treatment for Mesothelioma
The vast and broad-encompassing field of natural medicine includes several categorical types and literally thousands of methodologies. Below is a list of some of the more commonly utilized alternative or complementary treatment methods, divided by type.
Herbal and Plant-Based Therapies
- Cat’s Claw
- Astragalus
- Iscador
- Ukrain
Dietary-Based Therapies (Supplements and Nutrition)
- Vitamin C
- Silicon
- Selenium
- Juicing
- Veganism
- Raw Food Diet
Mind-Body Interventions
- Meditation
- Hypnosis
- Music and Art Therapies
- Relaxation Training
Alternative Medical Systems
- Traditional Chinese Medicine
- Acupuncture
- Ayurveda
- Naturopathy