Complementary mind–body therapies in cancer

Abstract

In this chapter, we review a few mind–body therapies relevant to cancer survivors and provide a rationale for considering them as possible complementary interventions, based upon presence of supportive data (albeit non-conclusive), an applicable theoretical framework, and relative safety. It is often stated in the literature that since CAM modalities lack conclusive evidence, they should not be recommended [Hewitt et al. (editors). From cancer patient to cancer survivor: Lost on transition. Institute of Medicine, National Academies Press, 2006]. We propose a modified perspective that also considers the potential benefits of supporting the use of certain mind–body therapies in cancer survivor subgroups, amidst a lack of absolute certainty about efficacy and mechanism of action.