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Complementary therapies

What is a complementary therapy?

Complementary therapies are supportive therapies that can be used along side conventional treatment. They improve general wellbeing and quality of life and can help people to cope with the side effects of cancer. Most complementary therapies are valuable for your mind, body and spirit. Complementary therapists usually focus on you as a whole person, both your physical and emotional health – not just the part of your body that is affected by cancer. Complementary therapies are generally safe to use in combination with your medical treatment for cancer.

It is important to understand the difference between a complementary therapy and an alternative therapy. See the frequently asked questions on our making decisions about cancer treatment page.

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How might complementary therapies assist me?

  • improve your quality of life and improve your general feeling of wellbeing
  • alleviate some of the symptoms associated with your cancer and the side effects of cancer treatment

What types of therapies can be complementary to my medical treatment?

  • Mind-body techniques – relaxation and meditation, counselling, hypnotherapy, aromatherapy, art therapy, music therapy, support groups, spirituality
  • Body based practices – massages, reflexology, reiki, accupuncture, yoga, tai chi, qi gong
  • Biological based therapies – Naturopathic nutrition, Western herbal medicine, Chinese herbal medicine, Ayurvedic herbal medicine. Inform your doctor if you are considering taking herbal remedies or supplements as some herbs can interact with chemotherapy of have other side effects
  • Other therapies – flower remedies, homeopathy

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Does the Cancer Council WA offer any complementary therapies?

The Cancer Council WA offers a range of free complementary therapies to cancer patients and their families.

Programs and choice of therapies offered are guided by the Cancer Council WA. Complementary and Integrative Therapy Advisory Group (CITAG) whose membership includes health professionals, complementary therapists and cancer patients. CITAG guides the development of safe protocols for therapists and information sheets for cancer patients wishing to use a particular therapy.

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What relaxation and meditation programs are available?

Cancer Council WA runs meditation and relaxation groups at many locations across Perth.  Groups are run free of charge to people living with cancer, their carers and family members. Groups this year included Yoga, Relaxation and Meditation and Life Now Exercise programs.

2010 Term 3 Meditation Classes

 

Armadale    9am Friday 6 Aug - 17 Sept  

Merriwa    1.15pm Thursday 5 Aug - 23 Sept

Midland    3.45pm Thursday 5 Aug - 23 Sept

Nedlands    5:30pm Wednesday 11 Aug  - 15 Sept

North Perth (Tai Chi)    4.30pm Tuesday 3 Aug - 7 Sept

Riverton    1.30pm Monday 2 Aug - 13 Sept

Rockingham    12 midday Friday 6 Aug  - 17 Sept

Shenton Park (Art)     1pm Thursday 5 Aug - 23 Sept

Wangara    1.30pm Tuesday 3 Aug - 21 Sept

Term 3 groups start in Aug 2010.  There is also a new art and meditation group starting in Shenton Park Thursday 5th August. The Term 3, 2010, flyer (pdf 82 kb) is now available to download.

Download a copy of the Cancer Council’s Meditation and Relaxation information sheet. (pdf 51.0kb)

To register your interest in meditation and to join our mailing list call the Cancer Council Helpline on 13 11 20.

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What yoga programs are available?

  • Our yoga teachers have met CITAG criteria
  • Yoga is offered to groups of people with cancer or recovering from cancer at an introductory level for 6-8 weeks.

2010 Term 3 Yoga Classes 

Armadale    1pm Thursday 5 Aug - 23 Sept

Bayswater    1pm Monday 2 Aug - 13 Sept

Mundaring    12.30pm Wednesday 4 Aug - 22 Sept

Nollamara    11am Monday 2 Aug - 20 Sept

Rossmoyne    11.30am Monday 2 Aug  - 6 Sept

Wangara    3pm Monday 2 Aug - 20 Sept

Whitfords    4.15pm Tuesday 3 Aug - 21 Sept

Download a copy of the Cancer Council’s Yoga information sheet.

Term 3, 2010, Yoga groups begin in Aug. The Term 3, 2010, flyer (pdf 82 kb) is now available to download.

To register your interest in yoga and to join our mailing list call the Cancer Council Helpline on 13 11 20.

To register for either of these programs contact the Cancer Council Helpline on 13 11 20. You can also register to join our mailing list for our Support Services Newsletter. 

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What Life Now exercise programs are available?

Exercise is beneficial during and after most cancer treatments. This program aims to help you build strength and fitness and the confidence to exercise into the future.

  • Our Life Now Exercise programs are run by qualified Exercise Physiologists.
  • To be eligible participants must have had treatment for cancer within the last two years. Carers and family members are eligible to attend with the patient.
  • Contact the Cancer Council Helpline on 13 11 20 for further information

2010 Life Now Exercise Program Semester 3 (12 week program)

Beechboro    starts on Monday 6 Sept   

Bunbury     starts on Tuesday 7 Sept

Mandurah      starts on Monday 20 Sept

Riverton      starts on Tuesday 7 Sept         

Rockingham    starts on Monday 6 Sept

Como (ongoing group) Tuesdays and Thursdays (Fee for Service)

To register your interest in Life Now exercise and to join our mailing list call the Cancer Council Helpline on 13 11 20.

Other exercise programs currently being run are

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What touch–based complementary therapy programs are available?

Touch based body-therapies are provided by well qualified therapists who volunteer their time to the Cancer Council WA. The therapies are provided to improve your wellbeing when you are undergoing cancer treatment or recovering from cancer. Many people receiving palliative care also get benefit from our touch based therapies.

For contact details for all cancer support coordinators in the table below, please see our Rural Services page.

Albany Reiki, Reflexology, Massage. Please call the Cancer Support Coordinator Albany.
Broome Massage – by appointment. Please call the Cancer Support Coordinator Broome.
Bunbury Reiki, Hand and Foot Massage, Manicure/Pedicure - by appointment. Please call the Cancer Support Coordinator Bunbury.
Geraldton Massage, Reiki, Reflexology, Hand and Foot Massage – by appointment. Please call the Cancer Support Coordinator Geraldton.
Kalamunda Reiki, Reflexology - Monday, Wednesday & Thursday at Kalamunda Hospital, Elizabeth Street, Kalamunda. For an appointment please call the Cancer Support Coordinator Guildford.
Kalgoorlie Reiki - For an appointment please call the Cancer Support Coordinator Kalgoorlie.
Mandurah Reiki, Reflexology, Hand & Foot Massage - Thursdays at Mandurah Natural Therapies Centre, 220 Lakes Road, Mandurah. For an appointment please call the centre on Tuesday to Friday on 9535 9195.
Northam Reflexology, Reiki by appointment. Please call the Cancer Support Coordinator Northam.
Rockingham Reiki, Reflexology, Hand & Foot Massage - Fridays at Lifelinks Community Centre, 4 Civic Boulevard, Rockingham. To make an appointment leave a message with the Cancer Council Helpline on 13 11 20 and your call will be returned on a Friday.
Toodyay Reflexology – by appointment Please call the Cancer Support Coordinator Northam.

SolarisCare also provide a range of free complementary therapies for cancer patients living in Perth.

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What websites have information about complementary therapies?

The views expressed on these websites are not necessarily endorsed by Cancer Council WA.

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