Cancer patients are being encouraged to consult their doctors before turning to herbal or alternative remedies, as unmonitored treatment choices may interfere with recommended medical care.

Dr Marcia Johnson-Campbell, regional priority non-communicable diseases (NCD) and family health coordinator at the Western Regional Health Authority (WRHA), said that decisions on alternative approaches to cancer treatment should be discussed with medical professionals.

“I do know that there are persons who may want to go more with alternative treatments, herbal treatments. I would encourage persons to have that discussion with their doctor. Don’t just go off and do your own thing,” she advised

She noted that complementary approaches should be carefully coordinated with conventional treatment.

“There may be some herbal treatments that can be used alongside the traditional treatment, but we want persons to have that conversation,” she told JIS News.

Johnson-Campbell pointed out that many patients seek alternative therapies out of fear, cultural beliefs, or a desire to explore every possible option following a diagnosis.

She said that these concerns are understandable, but emphasised the need for guidance from qualified healthcare providers to ensure that these approaches do not interfere with prescribed treatment or delay critical care.

She pointed out that cancer care often involves multiple stages of testing, diagnosis and treatment planning, and decisions made without medical guidance may complicate the process.

As such, patients are encouraged to maintain open communication with their healthcare providers and to seek reliable information when exploring treatment options.

Johnson-Campbell stressed that public awareness remains important in helping persons make informed decisions about their health, and conversations between patients and healthcare providers play a critical role in ensuring that treatment plans remain safe and effective.