Many people find that complementary therapies are useful in reducing stress, increasing feelings of well-being and improving their quality of life during the recovery period.

Relaxation, counselling and psychological support are now available at many NHS cancer treatment hospitals. If you would like to try such therapy, but can't find facilities locally, contact our cancer support service for advice. Some cancer hospitals offer visualisation, massage, reflexology, aromatherapy, hypnotherapy, self-help groups and art therapy.

Relaxation

Relaxation can be an effective way of dealing with stress. Relaxation exercises are usually based on the control of breathing and/or the tensing and relaxation of muscles. However, you may need to try several methods before you find one that works for you.

You can learn relaxation by reading instructions in a book, although it is easier to use an audiotape or see a therapist at first. See our complementary therapies section for details of suppliers of relaxation tapes.

Diet

Diet can play a key role in your recovery. If you lost a lot of weight during your treatment, your doctor will be more concerned that you go back to a normal weight than about what you eat. You may be offered advice that seems very unhealthy, such as adding milk powder to full cream milk, or having plenty of butter on your toast. At this stage, getting back to a normal weight is more important than trying to follow a healthy diet.

When people are feeling better, the dietary advice that is given is generally 'everything in moderation', and to have a normal healthy diet.

A healthy diet has:

• foods that are high in natural fibre, such as wholemeal bread and grains
• plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables
• more fish and chicken
• less red meat
• less sugar and salt
• moderate amounts of tea, coffee (and alcohol, if you drink it).

If you have had treatment to your digestive system that has affected the way that you eat, or means that you cannot eat or digest certain foods, it is important to get specialist help from your cancer doctor or specialist nurse. You can ask to be referred to a dietitian at the hospital. Support organisations can sometimes give specialist advice on diet.