or EYEcan result in vision and hearing problems.
Surgery, particularly AMPUTATION, may result in
lifelong health issues that require regular medical
attention.
Increased Risk for Another CancerHaving had cancer increases the risk for develop-
ing another cancer later in life. For this reason,
regular health screening for cancer is especially
important for adults who had cancer as children.
Radiation therapy and chemotherapy both
increase the risk for leukemia and lymphoma,
likely as a consequence of damage to the bone
marrow during cancer treatment and especially
chemotherapy. Radiation therapy to the upper
body raises the risk for lung cancer, particularly
when other risk factors for lung cancer exist such
as cigarette smoking, and for breast cancer in
women.
Emotional Health
The emotional consequences of successful cancer
treatment in childhood may be pervasive, with
numerous effects people do not recognize as
related to the cancer experience. Some studies
show that adults who had cancer as children reex-
perience the range of emotions and fears that
accompanied their cancer when as adults they
enter medical environments for health care of any
kind, often as a presentation of POST-TRAUMATIC
STRESS DISORDER(PTSD). The reaction to the current
situation may be out of proportion to the situation
itself. Having survived a health crisis as serious as
cancer as a child may have a profound effect on a
person’s ability to engage in activities of life, mani-
festing as withdrawal in some people and in high-
risk behaviors in others.
Maintaining a Balanced Perspective
It is important for adults who had cancer as chil-
dren to maintain a balance between diligence and
confidence when it comes to health matters. More
often than not, subsequent health concerns arising
from childhood cancer or its treatment are treat-
able and manageable, particularly with early
detection. Many cancer treatment centers now
offer follow-up services, including counseling, for
adult survivors of childhood cancer.
See alsoCANCER PREVENTION; CANCER RISK FACTORS;
LIFESTYLE AND CANCER.alternative and complementary remedies for
cancer Therapies outside the realm of conven-
tional medical methods that are promoted to
relieve cancer symptoms. Alternative practices are
used instead of conventional treatments and
methods; complementary practices are used in
conjunction with conventional treatments and
methods. Some therapies and remedies may be
either alternative or complementary, depending
on how they are used. Because some cancer treat-
ment protocols are very precise, it is important to
discuss alternative and complementary approaches
with the oncologist before using them.Complementary Therapies
Complementary therapies are often effective for
treating symptoms related to cancer and discom-
forts related to conventional cancer treatment.
ACUPUNCTURE, BIOFEEDBACK, andHYPNOSIScan pro-
vide relief from PAINand NAUSEA. YOGA, TAI CHI,
and MEDITATION provide relaxation and stress
relief. Some therapies, such as acupuncture and
biofeedback, have undergone clinical research
studies that support their effectiveness and
usefulness. Most complementary therapies inte-
grate well with conventional treatments. Some
herbal remedies, such as products for nausea or
relaxation, may interact with chemotherapy
drugs.Alternative Remedies
Alternative remedies for cancer are approaches to
treat cancer that have not been proven effective
through conventional research studies; some have
been proven ineffective. Alternative therapies may
include health-care systems that differ in philoso-
phy and practice from conventional Western med-
icine, such as AYURVEDA, HOMEOPATHY, and
TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE (TCM). Alternative
remedies may also consist of conventional treat-
ments used in unproven or disproven ways; most
have either not been subjected to conventional
research study or have been disproved. Some
alternative remedies are potentially harmful in
themselves as well as for the delay they may causealternative and complementary remedies for cancer 367