National Cancer Institute National Cancer Institute
U.S. National Institutes of Health National Cancer Institute
NCI Home Cancer Topics Clinical Trials Cancer Statistics Research & Funding News About NCI
Dictionary of Cancer Terms
In EnglishEn español
Page Options
Print This Page  Print This Page
Quick Links
Director's Corner
Updates from the Director

Dictionary of Cancer Terms
Cancer-related terms

NCI Drug Dictionary
Definitions, names, and links

Funding Opportunities
Research and training

NCI Publications
Order/download free booklets

Advisory Boards and Groups
Information, meetings, reports

Science Serving People
Learn more about NCI

Español
Información en español
NCI Highlights
Virtual and Standard Colonoscopy Both Accurate

NCI Responds to Hurricanes

The Nation's Investment in Cancer Research FY 2009

Cancer Trends Progress Report: 2007 Update

Past Highlights
You CAN Quit Smoking Now!
Search for
# A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
In EnglishEn español

CAM

 Complementary and alternative medicine. Forms of treatment that are used in addition to (complementary) or instead of (alternative) standard treatments. These practices generally are not considered standard medical approaches. Standard treatments go through a long and careful research process to prove they are safe and effective, but less is known about most types of CAM. CAM may include dietary supplements, megadose vitamins, herbal preparations, special teas, acupuncture, massage therapy, magnet therapy, spiritual healing, and meditation. Also called complementary and alternative medicine.



Previous Definitions:calendula ointment, calgranulin A, calgranulin B, caloric intake, calorie
Next Definitions:Campath-1H, camphor, camptothecin, camptothecin analog, Cancell

A Service of the National Cancer Institute
Department of Health and Human Services National Institutes of Health USA.gov