Cancer survivors using 'complementary methods'

A high proportion of former cancer patients are using complementary and alternative methods to aid them in their recovery, it has been revealed.

A study released by the American Cancer Society found that many people were using prayer, relaxation, supplements, meditation and massage to aid in their recovery.

However, other alternative therapies such as homeopathy, acupressure and biofeedback have been found to be less common in their use among patients.

In news that may be of interest to anti aging physicians, the study - which appeared in the society's peer review journal Cancer - also revealed that women, younger survivors, individuals with higher incomes and those with more education were the most likely to use such complementary therapies.

Ted Gansler, co-author of the study, said: "Surprisingly, other methods such as acupuncture and hypnosis were used by fewer than two per cent of cancer survivors, even though recent studies found them to be useful in relieving some cancer-related symptoms, such as pain."

Data from more than 4,000 survivors of ten different types of cancer was used for the research.