Mental imagery is one such technique. This technique allows the patient to participate and is easy for the patient to understand even though the mechanism is unrealistic. The unscrupulous practitioner will also supply a large body of unsubstantiated data that would suggest mental imagery can be channeled into the destruction of a tumor. No data exists that this is an effective technique. The technique is valuable in that it emphasizes a positive attitude and a good outlook, but this does not translate into tumor response.
Nutrition is a very important aspect of unconventional therapies.
Anti-cancer diets are heavily promoted. These diets by and large tend to be healthful in that they are low in saturated fats, high in fiber and naturally occurring vitamins. However, there are those that are highly restrictive and may constitute simply barley or rice and water which can result in extreme degrees of weight loss which is generally not to the patient's best advantage. Even when a patient consumes a healthful diet, there is no evidence this is effective in treating cancer. As much as we would like a diet to be effective in the treatment of cancer, there is no evidence that dietary manipulation can result in the regression of an established malignancy.