This is a completely non-political blog entry on the science of the medical efficacy of Cannabis (marijuana) in oncology. Cannabis is plant that is classified in the U.S. as a controlled substance with an "increased potential for abuse and no known ... [Read More]
Struggling with nausea? Try this simple and effective Chinese medicine technique ("moxibustion")
One of the effective techniques for dealing with chemotherapy and radiation therapy-related nausea involves an ancient Chinese technique called "moxibustion." It involves the use of a rolled herbal cigar of dried and/or processed mugwort, also ... [Read More]
Vitamin E: Is it safe for men anymore?
In light of the recently reported SELECT study, many patients are asking this question. Here is my short response: The data from the recently reported SELECT trial show a 17% increased risk of developing prostate cancer with 400 IU's of ... [Read More]
Nature’s remedy for Mucositis: Good ol’ pure natural honey
Mucositis is one of the most painful side effects of cancer treatment. It affects approximately 40% of patients who receive standard-doses of chemotherapy and 60-90% of patients receiving chemotherapy and radiation for head and neck cancers. It can ... [Read More]
Amazing anti-cancer compound derived from the French Lilac: Galega officianalis (metformin)
Metformin is a medication derived from the herb Galega officinalis (French lilac, also known as Goat's Rue or Italian Fitch) and has been used as a traditional botanical (tea infusion) for over 3,000 years to relieve polyuria (frequent urination) and ... [Read More]
Relaxation gizmos: Rapidly reduce stress & improve emotional balance with these palm-sized biofeedback devices
Chronic stress (via prolonged stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system and inhibition of the parasympathetic nervous system) is toxic to the body and mind, and is causally linked to a wide-range of deleterious conditions (examples): Anxiety ... [Read More]
Reduce skin fibrosis & possibly breast implant contracture after radiation therapy: vitamin E & pentoxifylline
Most patients typically develop only minimal skin fibrosis after their radiation therapy, however for those who have a more significant degree of fibrosis I often recommend a combination of vitamin E (400 I.U. twice a day) and pentoxifylline (400 mg, ... [Read More]
Testosterone replacement therapy in men with prostate cancer: An oncologist’s perspective
"Does testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) increase the risk of my prostate cancer coming back?" It seems that this question is coming up more often these days among patients who have completed treatment for prostate cancer. The ... [Read More]
The power of the placebo effect: who cares if it’s the placebo effect if it works (…and other thoughts)!?
The simple act of offering a therapy to a patient has tremendous psychological effects that can strongly blunt the perception of physiologic processes. This effect, also known as the "placebo effect" is hardly a new concept, but for the first time it ... [Read More]
Basal Cell & Squamous Cell Skin Cancers Cured Without Surgery: 100+ Years of Experience Using This Non-Surgical Treatment
Did you know that radiation therapy is the most highly-effective, non-surgical treatment option for basal and squamous cell skin cancer? Radiation therapy has been used for the treatment of skin cancers since the early 1900's and continues to be ... [Read More]
"Do-it-yourself" acupuncture…really?: Lasers make simple treatments possible
Acupuncture is effective treatment for various psychoemotional and physical symptoms experienced by oncology patients (ie, pain, dry mouth, chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, fatigue, anxiety). The mechanisms of action involved in ... [Read More]
Cancer has spread to a sentinel lymph node…do you need more extensive lymph node surgery?
Please share this post with anyone you know who was JUST diagnosed with breast cancer... A practice changing study, published in February 2011, in the Journal of the American Medical Association, reported the results of an important randomized ... [Read More]
Smoking increases the risk of prostate cancer recurrence and death
One of the most important studies I have read on prostate cancer was published earlier this week in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health investigated the possible effects of smoking and ... [Read More]
Bioidentical hormone therapy in cancer patients: an integrative oncologist’s perspective
Hormones are proteins that have very important stimulatory effects on tissues, organs and glands within the body. In normal physiologic states, the production and release of the endogenous (made by the body) hormones is tightly controlled. ... [Read More]
Inhaling vaporized botanicals as medicine
The use of plants as medicine has been and continues to be employed by cultures throughout the world in the treatment of numerous physical and psychological conditions and symptoms. It is estimated that 80% of the world's population use plants as ... [Read More]
Mushrooms: Promising natural anti-cancer and immune modulatory effects
The medicinal use of mushrooms have been employed for over 3,000 years in the treatment of many conditions. Hundreds of peer-reviewed studies have been published indicating the wide-range of positive health effects of fungi (click on this link to see ... [Read More]
Fight weight loss (and potentially improve survival) during cancer therapy using a fish oil supplement
The conclusions of two studies published in 2011, in the journal Cancer, suggest that the use of a fish oil supplement taken during treatment for cancer can help patients maintain their weight (**and improves the efficacy of chemotherapy**) The ... [Read More]
A natural botanical remedy reduces skin inflammation (dermatitis) and pain from radiation therapy: Calendula officinalis (marigold flower)
Calendula officinalis is a widely available natural botanical (derived from the orange-yellow petals of the pot marigold), and has been used (mainly in Europe) since at least the 12th century in the treatment of rashes, burns and inflammation of the ... [Read More]
Acupuncture alleviates hot flashes in men treated with hormone therapy: 80% improvement in hot flash symptoms and no side effects
Another study has been published on the efficacy of acupuncture in the treatment of hot flashes. Having used this treatment for many of my patients (men and women) with hormone therapy-induced hot flashes, I am not surprised at the published ... [Read More]
Taking probiotics before and during pelvic radiation therapy may reduce diarrhea
Diarrhea is a common side-effect of pelvic and abdominal radiation therapy. In a fascinating study, published in 2010, researchers reported that taking a probiotic supplement before and during radiation therapy for cervical cancer significantly ... [Read More]
Radiographic imaging for staging prostate cancer is inappropriate for low and intermediate risk patients
Did you know that radiographic imaging studies (CT scans, bone scans and MRI) will detect disease outside of the prostate gland less than 1% of the time in men who are diagnosed with either "low" or "intermediate" risk prostate cancer? (i.e. Gleason ... [Read More]
Religion and spirituality in cancer care: Perception of quality of care is increased when these topics are addressed
In the U.S., the majority of patients consider their religious beliefs and spiritual values very important in helping them cope with cancer. Importantly, studies report that patients feel that the quality of care they receive from their physicians is ... [Read More]
It’s crucial to keep in mind the impact of cancer on our patient’s children: Guides to help with communication, education and support
As oncologists, we unfortunately find ourselves caring for patients who have young children. The majority of our time is spent focusing on the medical, psychological and emotional concerns and issues of the patient, and we often overlook the fact ... [Read More]
*New* 2010 USDA Dietary Guidelines for Americans: Reduce your risk of cancer development, recurrence and progression.
The USDA published its' updated dietary guidelines in late January 2011. The latest USDA dietary recommendations incorporates most of the same recommendations that are touted under different names: "Heart healthy diet" "Anti-cancer ... [Read More]
Dying from prostate or colorectal cancer is reduced by up to 61% with exercise!!
Harvard researchers (reporting in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, in January 2011) discovered that men with a diagnosis of prostate cancer who exercised at least 3-hours each week decreased their risk of dying from prostate cancer by 61% compared ... [Read More]
Who is at risk and who should be tested for the most common genetic colorectal and uterine cancer syndrome (HNPCC/Lynch Syndrome)?
The vast majority of individuals with a diagnosis of colorectal (and/or endometrial/uterine) cancer do not have a inherited gene mutation. Most cancers develop sporadically without any familial association. However, if you or members of your ... [Read More]
Lung cancer eradicated in 98% of patients with a rapid, 3 to 5-day course of radiation therapy: A new paradigm in the management of early stage lung cancer.
A recently reported study (in the Journal of the American Medical Association, 2010) demonstrated the remarkable effectiveness of the latest radiation therapy technique (called "stereotactic body radiation therapy" or "SBRT") in the treatment of ... [Read More]
Ugh!…Hot flashes: Try acupuncture
The dreaded hot flash is among the most annoying and common side effect experienced while taking various hormonal medications commonly prescribed for patients with breast and prostate cancers. Fortunately, there are ways to help reduce the ... [Read More]
A five-day, non-invasive treatment for prostate cancer (called "stereotactic body radiation therapy" or "SBRT") is now available
Did you know that external radiation (when employed as 1st-line therapy for prostate cancer) is prescribed for 9-weeks of daily treatment? There is a new shorter, non-invasive option that has recently become available...read on... Patients have ... [Read More]
Green tea has no effect on breast cancer prevention: questions remain unanswered about other potential anti-cancer effects of green tea.
An excellent study (published in October 2010, in Breast Cancer Research) reported that consumption of green tea provides no benefit in reducing the risk of developing breast cancer. The authors examined the prospectively collected data on 53,793 ... [Read More]