Why complementary therapies are vital in supporting young people undergoing cancer treatment

Cancer is a terrifying and ruthless disease, and unfortunately its treatment can be just as brutal. A cancer diagnosis is life-changing at any age, and teens and young adults face a unique set of problems when dealing with cancer on top of everything else. Treatment can cause major disruptions to daily life, leaving young people dealing with a blend of both physical and mental health issues. Therefore, when thinking about a treatment plan for their disease, many young people look beyond the confines of conventional medical treatment, turning to complementary and alternative therapies to address their emotional wellbeing alongside their physical health. 

We see how much complementary therapy helps [patients] while they’re going through treatment. They’re less worried, more relaxed and it makes their day better.

 Mariann, Senior Staff Nurse, Complementary Therapy Service at UCLH Cancer Fund

Complementary therapies are used alongside essential medical care to help young people cope with these effects and improve their overall quality of life. Sessions are adapted to consider how patients are feeling on the day and are delivered in a calm and supportive environment, offering a break from the sometimes impersonal and daunting aspects of hospital life.  

Even short periods of relaxation can make a meaningful difference to how young people feel both physically and emotionally and can therefore have a significant effect on a patient’s ability to handle their clinical treatment. On the  UCLH Cancer Fund website, Mariann, a Senior Staff Nurse, said: “We see how much complementary therapy helps [patients] while they’re going through treatment. They’re less worried, more relaxed and it makes their day better,” showing just how effective complementary therapies can be to the patient’s quality of life. 

The stress on parents is enormous. [These therapies] help them to see their young person comfortable and relaxed. Sometimes the young person encourages their parent to have a treatment.

Paula, Aromatherapist, UCLH Cancer Fund Complementary Therapy Service

Complementary therapies are gaining increasing recognition for their ability to support patients through their treatment plans, whether specifically for managing stress and anxiety or even by helping to reduce the negative side effects of their clinical treatment.  

Massage therapy is widely used for cancer patients as gentle, adapted techniques can help reduce muscle tension, promote relaxation, and ease anxiety. Teenage Cancer Trust emphasises that massages for young people with cancer are always delivered by trained professionals and are adapted to individual needs. Cancer Research UK also explains that a massage may help people feel more relaxed, improve their mood, and temporarily relieve pain, even though it does not treat the cancer itself. 

Aromatherapy is another commonly used therapy – working through the sense of smell, which is closely linked to areas of the brain involved in emotion and stress. Cancer Research UK notes that aromatherapy oils are often used to help people feel calmer, reduce anxiety, improve sleep, and ease nausea during cancer treatment. “The stress on parents is enormous. It helps them to see their young person comfortable and relaxed. Sometimes the young person encourages their parent to have a treatment,” said Paula, an aromatherapist, on the UCLH Cancer Fund website.  

Reflexology, which involves applying pressure to specific areas of the feet or hands, is also used to support relaxation. While the exact mechanisms behind its effects are not fully understood, Cancer Research UK explain that many people find it helpful for managing pain, fatigue, and even anxiety. 

Another alternative is reiki, an energy-based therapy which allows patients to leave their session deeply relaxed and emotionally comforted, providing them with a much healthier state of mind. Cancer Research UK highlights that, much like the other complementary therapies, while reiki does not cure cancer, it may help reduce stress and promote a sense of wellbeing during treatment.  

A recurring message found on the Teenage Cancer Trust for each of these methods, however, is that complementary therapies must be used alongside conventional medical treatment (unless the patient has refused treatment), not as an alternative and, when delivered in a blended treatment plan, they can play an important role in supporting young people’s quality of life. 

Teenagers and young adults often experience cancer differently from the rest of the population, with treatment interrupting education, friendships, and identity development at one of the most critical stages of life. Cancer is a cruel disease, thus it is all the more important that adolescents dealing with cancer are able to feel cared for as individuals, as well as patients. Complementary therapies can help by offering moments of mental and physical calm during an otherwise overwhelming time. 

However, both Teenage Cancer Trust and Cancer Research UK emphasise that complementary therapies should only be used with the knowledge of a healthcare team in order to ensure they are safe and tailored to the patient’s individual treatment plan. By supporting emotional wellbeing as well as physical comfort, complementary therapies play an important role in holistic cancer care, enabling a much better quality of life for the teens and young adults battling cancer.