Up to 5 million Americans suffer from lymphedema, mostly as a result of cancer treatment. This is a chronic condition that can develop as a consequence of surgery and/or radiation therapy to the lymph nodes in the neck, armpit, pelvis and groin ... [Read More]
Why Micronutrient Testing is Important for Cancer Patients and Survivors
Background: Dr. Lawenda recommends getting your micronutrients (vitamins, minerals) tested. Some assays also include testing of your amino acids and fatty acids. Did you know that most adults in the U.S. are deficient in multiple micronutrients? ... [Read More]
Why Gut Testing and Health is Important for Cancer Patients and Survivors
Background: Dr. Lawenda recommends periodic testing of GI microbiome health (microbial DNA assay), inflammation and leaky gut status, and adequacy of digestive enzymes. These issues can lead to a host of downstream effects that can promote cancer ... [Read More]
30 or 60-Minute Video or Phone Consultation
CONSULTATIONS WITH DR. LAWENDA Patients often wish to cover a variety of topics during our consultations, including: Your current, upcoming or past treatments (I can address the latest expert consensus guidelines, state of the art treatments, ... [Read More]
Use of Off-Label Drugs and Supplements in Cancer in 2020
Targeting cancer cell metabolism, growth signaling pathways and enhancing anti-cancer immunity are among the hottest topics being explored in oncology, today. It has become increasingly clear that many natural compounds, supplements and FDA-approved ... [Read More]
Get Strong, Calm and Grounded with Yoga
By Dr. Brian Lawenda, Conner Middelmann and Jenifer Linville (Founder, Unity Yoga of Tri-Cities, Richland, WA) If the thought of strenuous exercise scares you, you might want to try yoga. More and more people undergoing cancer treatment and ... [Read More]
Should You Take Probiotics and Prebiotics?
What is the Microbiome? Did you know that there are 10-times more microbes on and in the human body than there are human cells? We call the collection of these microbes our "microbiome." The majority of these microbes (which weigh as much as 5 ... [Read More]
IOE (No Drug) Sleep Tips
Many people nowadays struggle with sleep – getting to sleep, staying asleep or both – but people undergoing cancer treatment tend to be particularly affected by sleep problems. The causes vary. Insomnia may be due to anxiety, depression, ... [Read More]
Is It Safe To Take Antioxidants During Cancer Treatment?
Antioxidant Effects The question of whether it is safe to take antioxidants during chemotherapy or radiation therapy is not a simple one to answer. Experts have been trying to definitively answer this question for many years, but it remains very ... [Read More]
How to Reduce Your Risk of Blood Clots (DVT and PE)
Cancer patients have an elevated risk of developing life-threatening blood clots. For some patients, the type of cancer they have can trigger blood clots. Some cancers actually produce substances which can activate the clotting cascade and produce ... [Read More]
Cannabis for Cancer Patients
Cannabinoids are a class of diverse chemical compounds that acts on cannabinoid receptors in cells, altering neurotransmitter release in the brain. They are commonly associated with and found in marijuana. There are also similar compounds within the ... [Read More]
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Radiation Side Effects
Do you have longterm side effects from your prior radiation treatment? Hyperbaric oxygen therapy “HBOT” (breathing 100% oxygen while inside a pressurized chamber) may be a very effective treatment for radiation damaged tissues. Who Might Benefit ... [Read More]
Why You Should Know Your Epigenetic Age
Did you know that the older your epigenetic age relative to your chronological age the greater your risk of developing cancer and dying from cancer? The study below found exactly this. Epigenetic age is based on an algorithm that uses DNA ... [Read More]
Going To A Spa: What Cancer Patients & Survivors Need to Know
Your skin is your body’s largest organ and what you put on it and how you treat it really does matter. It is also your first-line of defense against the numerous toxins and infectious organisms you come into contact with every day. If you have cancer ... [Read More]
Low FODMAP Diet Reduces GI Inflammation
One of the most common causes of intestinal inflammation is irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), affecting 10% of adults in the U.S. Since inflammation in the gut can cause systemic inflammation (a key driver of cancer), it’s one of the important factors ... [Read More]
I Recommend Taking A Personalized Probiotic
Your gut microbiome is essential in maintaining a healthy immune system, low systemic inflammation, insulin sensitivity, psychoemotional balance, neurocognitive health, nutrient absorption, metabolism and elimination of toxic compounds, barrier ... [Read More]
Proton Beam Therapy in Cancer Treatment
The number of proton beam therapy (PBT) centers continues to grow despite their high construction and operational costs, as well as the insurance barriers for patients to access this treatment. If cost was not a factor, most oncologists, ... [Read More]
Not All Generic Drugs Are The Same
Most people believe that generic drugs are identical to the brand name. When you get a dispensed drug, you likely don’t think about who makes it. Your pharmacy may switch you from a brand to generic, or they may switch between generics. Did you ... [Read More]
Lab Tests To Biohack Your Cancer
Cancer, cardiovascular disease and neurodegenerative diseases are more likely to develop in individuals who have the following conditions: Impaired immune systemChronic, low-level, systemic inflammationInsulin resistanceNutrient deficienciesGut ... [Read More]
Breast Cancer Survivors: 5 Years or Longer Of Endocrine Therapy
This is a big question asked by most hormone receptor positive breast cancer survivors. The data clearly shows an improvement in outcomes when taking 5 years of endocrine therapy, and recent studies report additional benefits when continuing to take ... [Read More]
Ketogenic Diet 101: Everything You Need To Know On The What, How And Who
Watch The 4-Minute Preview Above The ketogenic diet is another hot topic. Everyone who has attended my popular talks on this subject walks away with a much greater understanding and appreciation of this dietary approach to weight loss and health ... [Read More]
What Every Health Care Provider and Patient Should Know About Medical Cannabinoids
Watch the 4-Minute Trailer Above Medical cannabinoids is a hot topic. Everyone who has attended my popular talks on this subject walks away with a much greater understanding and appreciation of this natural medicine. -Dr. Lawenda Topics Covered ... [Read More]
Building Muscle Mass Is Anticancer
While much attention has been focused on the potential anticancer effects of being physically active (i.e getting 150-minutes per week of moderate intensity physical activity, etc.), one of the most important physiological changes you can make to ... [Read More]
Why You Should Consult With A Functional Medicine Trained Oncologist And Biohacker
Did you know that cancer patients and survivors are at a higher risk of dying from any cause compared with individuals who have never had cancer? If this fact worries you, I have good news. Combining functional medicine and biohacking, I can ... [Read More]
How To Find Your Effective CBD Dose
I often get asked this question: "How do I know what dose of CBD to use." While everyone is very different, here is my typical response. Start at a low dose and titrate up I recommend starting at a dose of 10 mg and increase the dose in 5 mg ... [Read More]
Things That Make Immunotherapy Less Effective
Introduction: What Are Immunotherapies? Immunotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that helps your immune system fight cancer. Several types of immunotherapy are used to treat cancer. These treatments can either help the immune system attack the ... [Read More]
Anticancer Effects of Inositol and IP-6
Inositol hexaphosphate ("IP6", "myo-inositol hexaphosphate" or "phytic acid") is a natural molecule present in most plant and animal cells. You get this stuff in your diet mainly from eating cereals, grains, legumes and meat. Your body can also ... [Read More]
Reduce Risks of Metastases From Cancer Surgery or Biopsy
Can cancer surgery or biopsies cause tumor cells to metastasize or become more aggressive? Yes. But before you say to yourself that I won't have these done, it's VERY important to know that: Surgery on tumors that have not spread distantly can be ... [Read More]
Reducing Estrogen Receptor Stimulation Without Drugs
Seventy-to-eighty percent of all breast cancers have estrogen receptors ("ER-positive".) When estrogen binds to these receptors, it leads to their activation and stimulation of cancer cell growth. Breast cancer medications are often prescribed to ... [Read More]
Dr. Lawenda Opens Anti-Cancer, Integrative Oncology Course For Everyone
Dr. Brian Lawenda here. Over the last year I have been working on an updates to the Integrative Oncology Essentials course known as the IOE Program. I excited to announce we have officially launched. The 17-module program has been completely ... [Read More]