Natural Therapies to Support Conventional Cancer Treatment Presented By

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Issue 5, May 2016 Natural Therapies to Support Conventional Cancer Treatment Presented by:

Introduction therapies may help boost immune function and minimize the severity of QUESTION: Conventional cancer treatment side effects caused by surgery, chemo- involves either removing the cancer therapy and radiation. In this edition of What spice may be helpful in controlling from the body (i.e., surgery) or elimi- the Wellness Express, we will take a nausea? nating the cancer cells and shrinking look at several natural therapies that tumors through various methods (i.e., may be helpful in supporting conven- A) Nutmeg chemotherapy and radiation). In many tional cancer treatment. B) Cinnamon cases, all these (and possibly other) C) Ginger strategies are employed to help stop the Herbal Supplements ANSWER: proliferation and spread of rapidly C) Ginger dividing cancer cells. The kind of Certain herbal supplements may help therapy used to treat cancer depends on cancer patients manage treatment side many factors, including the location effects and symptoms, such as nausea TRUE OR FALSE: and grade of the tumor(s), the stage of and vomiting, pain, fatigue and insom- the disease and the general health status nia. According to the National Center Yoga may help reduce fatigue in breast cancer of the person receiving the therapy. for Complementary and Alternative patients and survivors Medicine (NCCAM), recent studies According to a 2008 study published in indicate that the herb ginger may be ANSWER: the journal Current Oncology, there has useful in controlling chemotherapy-re- True been a shift toward complementary lated nausea when used in alternative cancer treatments in recent QUESTION: years - a reflection of many personal factors among cancer patients, includ- What natural remedies ing the perceived severity of conven- may be used to support tional therapy side effects, the desire conventional cancer for greater control over treatment treatments decisions and increasingly favorable 1 A) Herbal supplements attitudes toward holistic therapies. combination with anti-nausea medica- B) Chiropractic care 2 tion. Another study, published in C) Massage A middle path (i.e., a combination of 2007, states that Chinese medicinal D) All of the above conventional and complementary herbs, when used together with chemo- alternative approaches) may be optimal therapy, may improve bone marrow ANSWER: for many. Natural therapies may be and quality of life in breast cancer D) all of the above most helpful in supporting convention- patients.3 A further study published in al cancer treatments. Natural 2005, notes that decoctions of Huangqi Presented by: (Astragalus) may stimulate immuno- breast cancer surgery and are treated competent cells and reduce side effects with Tamoxifen (a prescription drug in cancer patients undergoing chemo- used to treat early or advanced breast QuoteQuote toto InspireInspire therapy.4 cancer).8

Yoga Manual Therapies “Natural forces within us are the true healers of Preliminary evidence, notes the Manual medicine, such as chiroprac- disease.” NCCAM, suggests that yoga may be tic and massage therapy, may also be Hippocrates helpful in treating anxiety, depression, helpful in addressing cancer treat- distress and stress in cancer patients, ment-related symptoms, such as pain, and that it may also help reduce fatigue nausea, anxiety and depression. Care in breast cancer patients and survivors. must be taken by the practitioner, References and Sources: 1. Verhoef MJ, et. al. Declining convention- An increasing number of research however, to avoid deep pressure and al cancer treatment and using specific regions of the body (e.g., complimentary and alternative medicine: a studies have examined the potential problem or a challenge? Current Oncology. 2008. Aug; 15(Suppl 2): benefits of yoga in breast cancer tumor sites or areas of sensitive skin s101-s106. patients and survivors. A 2009 study caused by radiation therapy). A 2005 2. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Cancer and published in the journal Integrative study published in the journal Seminars Complementary Health Approaches. http://nccam.nih.gov/health/cancer/camcan- Cancer Therapies states that yoga may in Oncology Nursing states that the cer.htm. help in managing self-reported psycho- judicious application of chiropractic 3. Zhang M, Liu X, Li J, Tripathy D. Chinese medicinal herbs to treat the logical distress and favorably alter care in cancer patients is both an side-effects of chemotherapy in breast cancer patients. Cochrane Database of circadian patterns of stress hormones in economical and effective way to Systematic Reviews. 2007. Apr; early breast cancer patients undergoing decrease pain and improve overall Issue 2: CD004921. 5 4. Wu T, Munro AJ, Guanjian L, Liu GJ. radiation therapy. According to a patient health.9 Likewise, a 2004 study Chinese medical herbs for chemotherapy published in the Journal of Pain and side effects in colorectal cancer patients. 2006 study published in the journal Cochrane Database of Systematic Psycho-Oncology, yoga may also have Symptom Management notes that Reviews. 2005. Jan; Issue 1: CD004540. 5. Raghavendra RM, et. al. Effects of a significant potential as a beneficial massage therapy may significantly yoga program on cortisol rhythm and mood states in early breast cancer patients physical activity for breast cancer improve cancer patients’ s undergoing adjuvant radiotherapy: a 6 symptoms.10 randomized controlled trial. Integrative survivors. Cancer Therapies. 2009. Mar; 8(1): 37-46. 6. Culos-Reed SN, Carlson LE, Daroux LM, Hately-Aldous S. A pilot study of yoga for Acupuncture Conclusion breast cancer survivors: physical and psychological benefits. Psycho-Oncology. 2006. Oct; 15(10): 891-897. Acupuncture is emerging as an If you have been diagnosed with 7. Nystrom E, Ridderstrom G, Leffler AS. Manual acupuncture as an adjunctive extremely beneficial alternative therapy cancer and wish to incorporate natural treatment of nausea in patients with cancer in palliative care—a prospective, for treatment-related nausea and therapies into your treatment, it is observational pilot study. Acupuncture in vomiting in cancer patients. A 2008 important that all your healthcare Medicine. 2008; 26: 27-32. 8. Hervik J, Mjaland O. Acupuncture for the study published in the journal providers are aware of your plans. treatment of hot flashes in breast cancer The goal is to make sure that everyone patients, a randomized, controlled trial. Acupuncture in Medicine reports that Breast Cancer Research and Treatment. acupuncture treatment can significantly (conventional and alternative 2009. Jul; 116(2): 311-316. 9. Evans RC, Rosner AL. Alternative in reduce nausea in cancer patients practitioners alike) is working toward cancer pain treatment: the application of 7 the same positive outcome. To learn chiropractic care. Seminars in Oncology undergoing a period of chemotherapy. Nursing. 2005. Aug; 21(3): 184-189. Acupuncture may also be helpful in more about the role of chiropractic 10. Cassileth BR, Vickers AJ. Massage care in cancer treatment and therapy for symptom control: outcome reducing cancer pain and other symp- study at a major cancer center. Journal of recovery, please ask your Pain and Symptom Management. 2004. toms. According to a 2009 study Sep; 28(3): 244-249. published in the journal Breast Cancer chiropractor for further details. Research and Treatment, acupuncture appears to provide effective relief from hot flashes in women who undergo

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