The Oncology Association of Naturopathic Physicians (OncANP) annual conference was chock-full of excellent talks on the use of a variety of supplements that may be useful in helping to reduce the risk of cancer development, progression and ... [Read More]
Just Got Back From A Great Naturopathic Cancer Conference (OncANP): Update on Melatonin and Cancer Treatment
The Oncology Association of Naturopathic Physicians (OncANP) just held their 2nd annual conference, in Phoenix, and it was great! This was the first Naturopathic conference I have attended, and I was VERY impressed with the quality of the ... [Read More]
Keep Your Hair With Scalp Cooling (“Cold Cap Therapy”) During Chemotherapy
If you want to try to keep your hair during chemotherapy read this article. I wish more oncologists would tell their patients about this incredibly simple hair saving technique, but unfortunately many are either unaware of how effective it is or are ... [Read More]
Read About the Numerous Anti-Cancer and Protective Effects of Milk Thistle Extract (Silymarin)
Milk thistle seeds contain a powerful phytonutrient called, silymarin, which is increasingly being recognized for its' wide-range of anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative and protective effects against various drugs and toxins. Most studies ... [Read More]
Physical Activity Monitoring Devices Can Play A Role In Integrative Oncology
Most Americans are lazy when it comes to walking. We walk about 30-40 minutes less every day compared with the Swiss, Australians and the Japanese (from a 2003 study.) Based on number of steps per day, Americans barely walk more than than the ... [Read More]
Loneliness and Cancer: Is There A Link?
Increased inflammation and diminished immune function can both drive cancer growth and progression. Loneliness, sadness, depression have all been linked with these cancer-promoting physiologic conditions. It is certainly not a far stretch to believe ... [Read More]
Flavonoid Polyphenols and Cancer
What are Flavonoids? Flavonoids are plant-made chemicals (phytochemicals) in the “polyphenol” family of molecules. They are widely found in fruits, vegetables, cereals, herbs, spices, stems and flowers, teas, red wine, beer, beans, cocoa, and many ... [Read More]
Penile “Rehab” During and After Prostate Cancer Treatment
One of the most common complications of radiation therapy and surgery (prostatectomy) for prostate cancer is erectile dysfunction (ED.) Studies report rates as high as 30-60% of men who undergo these treatments will develop ED as a result of ... [Read More]
Alzheimer’s Drug Reduces Memory Loss and Cognitive Decline After Brain Radiation
Brain radiation is one of the most effective treatments for stopping or slowing the growth of brain tumors and cancers that have spread to the brain. Unfortunately, this treatment can lead to varying degrees of cognitive and memory deficits ... [Read More]
A Medicinal Mushroom Warning (Cordyceps Sinensis)…Buyer Beware!
I recently discovered a very alarming issue surrounding one of the most commonly used medicinal mushrooms, Cordyceps sinensis (CS.) It has been marketed and prescribed for years for its’ immune-stimulating effects (as well as, anti-cancer, ... [Read More]
Mucositis of the Mouth and Throat: An Integrative Oncology Approach to Management
Mucositis is one of the most common side effects of cancer treatment, and one that can cause a great amount of distress when not addressed both preventatively and therapeutically. Dr. Lise Alschuler, ND (an internationally known naturopathic ... [Read More]
Can Coping With Anxiety, Depression and Stress Increase Remission and Survival? What Every Cancer Patient Needs to Know
In this blog, you will learn: (1) about the experience of anxiety, depression and stress among cancer patients and survivors; (2) how cancer patients describe those emotions in response to diagnosis, treatment, or long-term care; (3) how these ... [Read More]
Dr. Lawenda’s Interview on Integrative Radiation Oncology: Today and The Future
Listen to my interview with host, Karolyn Gazella, of Five To Thrive Live (on 11/12/12) We discussed a variety of topics including: What is integrative oncology Why and how I chose to become an integrative radiation oncologist I discuss what ... [Read More]
Inflammation 101: The Fuel That Feeds Cancer
I think most of us typically think of inflammation as our body’s protective response to injury and infection. Without it, we’d be in serious trouble (unless we lived in a sealed bubble.) If it were only that simple… Inflammation comes in two ... [Read More]
What If Living An Anti-Cancer Lifestyle Only Reduces Cancer By 1%?
Try this on for size. If there was a mere 1% reduction in the incidence of U.S. cancer mortality (e.g. lung, colon, breast, leukemia, pancreatic, brain), researchers estimate that this would save between $230-$308 BILLION dollars each year due to ... [Read More]
Physical limitations after cancer treatment: a silent killer
In a recent study, investigators reported their findings on a group of 2202 women with breast cancer who were followed for up to 11-years after their initial treatment. During the study, the authors prospectively assessed the patients' physical ... [Read More]
Anti-Cancer Nutrition: Dietary Fats 101
By Conner Middelmann-Whitney and Brian Lawenda M.D. Fats are the most controversial and misunderstood macronutrients in the human diet. Vilified for the past four decades as “artery-clogging”, fattening and inflammatory, fat has become a pariah ... [Read More]
Healing touch and guided imagery work for severe stress symptoms.
Wow...a short 2-week regimen of healing touch and guided imagery treats the most severe form of stress, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD.) In a recent study, researchers found that by adding a short course of healing touch and guided imagery ... [Read More]
Anti-Cancer Plant Compounds: Xanthophylls (a Carotenoid)
Here's another way to prevent and fight cancer naturally: Eat foods rich in xanthophylls (a carotenoid.) Xanthophylls are the pigment compounds that are responsible for giving plants their color, and are crucial in converting sunlight into energy. ... [Read More]
L-Carnitine Supplements For Cancer Side Effects
Acetyl-l-carnitine (ALC), a natural substance marketed over the counter as a dietary supplement, has been reported to be an effective therapy for reducing and preventing peripheral neuropathy from chemotherapy and for cancer-related fatigue. The ... [Read More]
Yoga for Cancer Recovery
I'm sure you've heard that Yoga, a 5,000+ year old practice, can help in your cancer recovery. Yoga combines exercise (postures, called asanas), breathing techniques (pranayama) and meditation...a system that has been scientifically proven ... [Read More]
Are you on Tamoxifen? A simple test can tell you if you are at a high risk of blood clots
Patients who take a commonly prescribed breast cancer drug, Tamoxifen (learn more about Tamoxifen here) are at an increased risk of developing blood clots. Researchers have discovered that this risk is much greater (500% higher) in some patients with ... [Read More]
Til Death Do Us Part: Does Marriage Improve Survival After Cancer?
New research suggests that marital status impacts cancer survival. Investigators report that among those individuals treated for lung cancer (with stage 3, non-small cell lung cancer) with chemotherapy and radiation, married patients were much more ... [Read More]
Foods to Fight Cancer and the “Five Golden Rules”
Dr Richard Beliveau (author of one of my favorite books, Foods to Fight Cancer) spoke at the 2012 Union for International Cancer Control World Cancer Congress. Here are his key points Not all fruits and vegetables protect against cancer; ... [Read More]
Integrative Oncology: Would you really want any other approach?
From time to time, we need to take a step back and simply review the overall concept of integrative oncology. What Is Integrative Oncology? **(psst...nevermind the term "integrative medicine"...it's called practicing quality ... [Read More]
Food As ‘Chemo’? Targeting cancer using a whole food approach
The data supporting anticancer activity in natural supplements is extensive. Unfortunately, oncologists and patients are hampered by the paucity of high-quality clinical trials in deciding which supplements might improve clinical outcomes. Designing ... [Read More]
Get To Bed! How getting enough shut eye fights cancer
Check out our most recent article on SLEEP here ... [Read More]
The Importance of Spirituality in Cancer Care
Over the last century, scientific and technological advances have shifted medical care from a service-oriented model towards a cure-driven model. While these medical developments have profoundly impacted our ability to live longer, healthier lives, ... [Read More]
Exercise and Cancer 101: Why You Should Just Do It!
Why is exercise so important: Exercise reduces your risk of developing cancer. Exercise during and after cancer treatment may reduce your risk of cancer recurrence and progression. Exercise improves quality of life in cancer patients and ... [Read More]
Millions of Cancer Survivors Suffer from Lymphedema: early diagnosis & treatment is essential
Did you know that as many as 3-5 million individuals suffer from lymphedema in the United States, and the majority of whom develop this condition as a result of cancer treatment (i.e. surgery and/or radiation therapy to the lymph nodes within the ... [Read More]