While doctors and other health professionals concentrate on providing the latest and best cancer treatments, cancer patients can participate in their own care in a number of ways. Martinez recommends examining one's diet. Incorporate good nutritional habits into your lifestyle. See a dietician and talk to your doctor. Improving your diet is a very good start to improving and maintaining good overall health.
Complementary medicine provides patients with therapies that accompany medical care.
It addresses quality of life and the well-being of the whole individual. Complete Care, Fox Chase Cancer Center's Complementary Medicine Program, addresses the physical, psychological and emotional needs of cancer patients both during and after treatment. The program offers safe therapies that are designed to help people cope with treatment side effects, stress, changing body image and functional problems requiring cancer-specific rehabilitation medicine and care. Popular services include fatigue management, hypnotherapy, lymphedema management, nutrition and yoga. Martinez advises that cancer patients interested in complementary medicine should first talk with their doctors.