Beauty Treatments
The beauty treatments studied as interventions included manicures, pedicures, make-up sessions, depilation, hairdressing, and massages. Researchers studied the effect of beauty treatments on depression.
Quintard, B., & Lakdja, F. (2008). Assessing the effect of beauty treatments on psychological distress, body image, and coping: A longitudinal study of patients undergoing surgical procedures for breast cancer. Psycho-Oncology, 17, 1032–1038. doi:10.1002/pon.1321
Baker's Yeast
Baker’s yeast comprises strains of yeast commonly used as leaven in baking bread and other bakery products. Baker’s yeast was examined as a dietary supplement in patients with cancer for the treatment of opioid-induced constipation.
Ayruvedic Drugs
Ayurvedic drugs have been used for centuries as a component of ayurvedic medicine practice in India. These medicines may be herbal, mineral, or metallic substances. A particular combination of ayurvedic drugs was studied in patients with cancer as an adjuvant treatment for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.
Axillary Reverse Mapping (ARM)
Axillary reverse mapping (ARM) is an intraoperative technique developed to delineate the lymphatic drainage in the upper extremity during a sentinel lymph node biopsy or axillary lymph node dissection. This procedure involves injection of dye to identify lymphatic drainage from the arm to enable preservation of the lymphatic vessels. This technique has been examined for the prevention of upper extremity lymphedema in patients undergoing surgery for breast cancer.
Avoidance of Lifting Weight
Weight lifting is a physical activity in which the individual tones and builds muscle strength by using muscles to lift weight against gravity. Weight lifting has been evaluated related to risks and benefits for patients at risk for or with lymphedema and historically patients with lymphedema had been advised to avoid lifting weight in usual daily activities, such as carrying items weighing more tha a few pounds. Recent studies in lymphedema among patients with breast cancer have shown that weight lifting does not appear to exacerbate lymphedema.
ATP Cream
Acrylate terpolymer (ATP) is a chemical compound found in barrier films that are used as dressings and skin treatments. ATP cream is a cream formulation containing ATP. This was examined for its effect in management of radiodermatitis.
ATP
Adenosine 5’-triphosphate (ATP) is a naturally occurring nucleotide present in every cell of the human body. Although ATP is known primarily for its role in intracellular energy metabolism, it also is widely distributed outside the cell. Extracellular ATP and its breakdown product, adenosine, are involved in the regulation of numerous biologic processes. ATP is the energy that drives cell activity, and energy intake from food ultimately is transformed to ATP.
ATL-104
Some plant sugar binding proteins (lectins) may promote epithelial growth and repair due to effects on cell mitosis. ATL-104 is a recombinant form of a plant that is manufactured in Pichia pastoris, a yeast. ATL-104 is formulated as a mouthwash and has been evaluated in the management of mucositis.
Ativan, Bendryl, and Haldol Gel (ABH Gel)
A topical gel made from a combination of lorazepam (Ativan®), diphenhydramine (Benadryl®), and haloperidol (Haldol®) that is typically applied to the volar surface of the wrist. It has been studied in the treatment of nausea and vomiting related to chemotherapy.
Astragali Radix Herbal Mix
An herbal mixture of Astragali Radix and other herbs was studied for its effect in patients with cancer for anorexia. This mixture is seen as an immune modulator, has renal system protective attributes, and improves gastrointestinal function.