Consulting Primary Physician

• Although many types of alternative cancer tests are not used by conventional physicians, patients should discuss the test with their primary physician, to see if they provide or can at least investigate the test. Minimally, the primary physician should be aware of any other tests that the cancer patient is pursuing, just as one should always coordinate all cancer treatments with one primary physician.
  
  

Test Reliability

• It is important to realize that because any given test can provide false results, a patient should never rely solely on the results of any one given test. Regardless of the results of a specific test, all other factors should also be considered to back up any test result or diagnosis.
  
  

Insurance Coverage for Alternative Cancer Tests

• Because alternative cancer tests are often not recognized by the traditional medical community, the costs for these tests are generally not covered by health insurance. However, some alternative tests can be covered by insurance if they are prescribed by a physician. Patients generally need to consult with their physicians to determine if a specific test can be prescribed or submitted as an insurance claim.
  
  

Types of Alternative Cancer Tests

• Many alternative cancer tests rely on taking readings or an analysis of various body functions or body chemistry, instead of biopsies and other standard cancer tests. Samples of bodily fluids such as blood and urine are commonly needed for many of these types of tests. These tests are almost always less invasive to the body than most standard types of tests, and as such are often considered more in line with a natural form of care.