Complementary and Alternative therapies
You might have to pay for the treatments you have, but you can sometimes pay less than the standard rate. And some centres won’t charge you at all. It depends on what therapy you are having. And where you are having it done.
Many hospitals, cancer wards and units in the UK offer complementary therapies to patients for free. Or, you might be offered a set number of treatments free.But have to pay for any further treatment after that. This is not always the case but it's worth asking.
You might also be able to have some therapies free. Or at a cheaper rate, through your GP. Costs vary depending on the individual therapy.
Several cancer support centres provide various complementary therapies alongside conventional cancer treatments.
It depends on the organisation, but you might be able to have a single treatment. Or weekly treatments. You also might be able to go to the centre for a few days for a complementary therapy programme that suits you.
You might have to pay for the treatments you have. But you can sometimes pay less than the standard rate. And some centres won’t charge you at all.
Some cancer support groups offer free or low cost therapies. And some charitable organisations offer free sessions of:
meditation
relaxation
guided visualisation
Staff at your hospital may also know of local services. Or you can find them on the internet.
Find a complementary therapy organisation
Private practitioners of complementary therapies can charge up to £60 or more per hour. These costs vary from place to place within the UK. For example, treatments are usually more expensive in cities.
Read more about finding a therapist
The prices can vary a lot if you are thinking of using:
herbal remedies
vitamins
dietary supplements
It is important to let your doctor know if you are taking any of these. They might interfere with your conventional cancer treatment.
Many alternative therapies are expensive. Some therapies might only cost a few pounds a month. But others might cost several hundred or more. Make sure you have thought about the ongoing cost before you start taking anything. Or begin any treatment.
There is no scientific evidence that any alternative therapy works to cure cancer. So it is important to talk to your doctor before deciding to use any of these therapies.
This page is due for review. We will update this as soon as possible.
Last reviewed: 19 Apr 2022
Next review due: 19 Apr 2025
A complementary therapy means you can use it alongside your conventional medical treatment. It may help you to feel better and cope better with your cancer and treatment. An alternative therapy is generally used instead of conventional medical treatment.
Some therapies may be harmful or could interact with other treatments you're having. Talk to your doctor before starting any complementary or alternative therapy.
Find detailed information and research into some of the many different complementary and alternative therapies used by people with cancer.
For your safety, it is very important to make sure that any complementary therapist you see has the necessary training and qualifications.
Find organisations, support groups, books, websites and other resources about complementary and alternative therapies.
Our clinical trials aim to find out if a new treatment or procedure is safe, is better than the current treatment or helps you feel better.
About Cancer generously supported by Dangoor Education since 2010. Learn more about Dangoor Education
What to ask your doctor about clinical trials.
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