Following up on cancer treatment
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The topic of treating cancer is very complex, but recently I was asked by a patient, Jane, 63, what further natural therapies she could do after her treatment for breast cancer.
She had completed surgery, radiation and chemotherapy, and was now developing a maintenance program for herself while toaking Tamoxifen. It is important to keep in mind that cells in the body are continuously becoming damaged and developing into cancer cells, and with a good surveillance system the body keeps these abnormal cells in check before they have a chance to develop into cancer cells.
This is the strength of naturopathic medicine where herbal, homeopathic medicine, traditional Chinese medicine, nutrition and mind-body medicine comes in.
Complementary and alternative medicine is part of the current treatment model at leading oncology hospitals including Cancer Treatment Centres of America. In Vancouver, I highly recommend taking their three-day course at Inspire Health. Their monthly newsletter is also very informative (www.inspirehealth.ca).
Many non-aggressive cancer lines are seen as a chronic disease that patients can live with and manage for many years, and still have successful and productive lives. Naturopathic physicians have a lot to offer these patients who not only want to prevent a recurrence but want to improve their symptomatic status.
Here is a list of my recommendations:
q I recommend several books written by naturopathic doctors that are well-researched, providing adjunctive therapies for various cancers. Naturally There’s Always Hope by Dr. Neil McKinney N.D. of Victoria, Definitive Guide to Cancer, An Integrative Approach to Prevention Treatment and Healing by Dr. Lise Alschuler N.D. and A Complete Natural Medicine Guide to Breast Cancer by Dr. Sat Daram Kaur. Dr. Kaur has also lectured at Hollyhock on Cortes Island.
q Try eating a Mediterranean type diet that is more alkaline and has a low glycemic index. It is high in anti-oxidants and low in chemicals, pesticides, additives and genetically modified food. The Gerson Therapy diet is a good template.
q Naturopathic cancer therapy offers cancer suppressive natural agents which can arrest growth and spread through agents such as green tea, vitamin A, Vitamin C, curcumin, mistletoe injections and Hoxsey formula.
q Basics anti-oxidants are an important part of any anti-cancer program. This includes Vitamin D, melatonin and bioflavinoids. Vitamin D levels need to be assessed on every cancer patient to optimize levels for immune regulation. Melatonin is a broad reaching anti-oxidant used in most cancer cell lines aside from blood cancers to promote cancer cell suicide (apoptosis). It is a free radical scavenger and prevents invasiveness of cancer cells. Bioflavinoids found in high-quality organic berries such as n Verry Berry provide a therapeutic dosage of anti-oxidants for daily consumption.
q Probiotics are critical as a base immune therapy and it is important to use strong and viable strains.
q Treatment of side effects of chemotherapy and radiation with alpha lipoic acid, B6, coQ10, and other agents.
q In the post-chemo and radiation phase the patient needs rebuilding and gentle detoxification both of which are naturopathic art forms.
q Control inflammation and its growth factors that speed progression of cancer using agents such as curcumin and plant enzymes.
q Omega 3 essential fats as found in purified fish oil will maintain healthy membrane function of each cell in the body to foster the best communication between cells. Unfortunately in this province, alternative therapy one month before, during and after standard cancer therapy is urgently opposed in the face of mounting research that there are many adjunctive therapies that improve responses to these same therapies.
This research is found in the Integrative Cancer Therapies journal and Journal of Orthomolecular Medicine. Ultimately, what I am hoping to prevent is the patient whom I see 2-5 years later after there has been a recurrence of cancer. I want to see this patient at the very least immediately after they have finished therapy and to use those years to prevent this recurrence!
Dr. Ingrid Pincott, naturopathic physician, can be reached at 250-286-3655 or www.DrPincott.com
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