The use of vitamin C in cancer prevention and treatment is a controversial topic in oncology. Unless you are already using vitamin C, you may be surprised on what you’ll read. Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble vitamin. Since ... [Read More]

Supplements and Botanicals
In this section, you will learn about various supplements and botanical compounds that can help in the management of side effects, symptoms and nutritional support.
Treating Depression Naturally With Saffron or Curcumin
If you have been diagnosed with depression (the most common form) you are not alone: greater than 25% of adult women and 15% of adult men are prescribed antidepressants, in the U.S. (reference). In the oncology population, the percentages are likely ... [Read More]
Dr. Lawenda Discusses Cancer Pain Management
KNDU/NBC TV "Living Well" Show: Dr. Lawenda Discusses How He Manages Cancer Pain (June 16, 2017) https://vimeo.com/222211611 ... [Read More]
Dr. Lawenda Discusses Cannabinoids In Cancer Care
KNDU/NBC TV "Living Well" Show: Cannabinoids In Cancer Care (November 12, 2016) https://vimeo.com/191549280 KNDU/NBC TV: Cancer Survivor Credits Marijuana, Integrative Oncology for Survival (November 9, ... [Read More]
Dr. Lawenda Discusses Dietary Supplement Concerns And Tips On Shopping For Higher Quality Supplements
KNDU/NBC TV "Living Well" Show: Dr. Lawenda Discusses Dietary Supplement Concerns And Tips On Shopping For Higher Quality Supplements (November 26, 2016) https://vimeo.com/193572635 ... [Read More]
Dr. Lawenda Discusses The Use of Supplements During Cancer Treatment
KNDU/NBC TV "Living Well" Show: Dr. Lawenda Discusses The Use of Supplements During Cancer Treatment (December 31, 2016) https://vimeo.com/197967420 ... [Read More]
Make Your Body Less Conducive To Cancer With Integrative Oncology
It is NOT a new concept that if you can make your tissues less conducive to cancer growth you will have a much greater shot at beating cancer. One of the greatest minds in the history of modern medicine (Dr Stephen Paget) eloquently noted this in ... [Read More]
Breast Cancer Risk, Curcumin, Vitamin D, Genetics And More
Breast Cancer Risk Can Be Determined From A Biopsy A landmark Harvard study found that the risk of breast cancer can be predicted by looking at the percentage of dividing cells from a routine breast biopsy. If this tissue analysis (called ... [Read More]
Curcumin Reduces Side Effects of Chemotherapy and Radiation
If I had to choose one botanical supplement, it would be the turmeric extract, curcumin. I've written about this before, but I want to highlight again why I love it: It reduces systemic inflammation It reduces systemic oxidation (free ... [Read More]
Supplements and Phytonutrients For Skin Cancer Prevention
Non-melanoma skin cancers are by far the most common type of cancer, and if you have already had prior skin cancer, your risk of developing additional skin cancers is 1000% greater than for those who have never had skin cancer. Whether you ... [Read More]
Complementary Therapies For Pain Management (Video)
There is no 'one-size-fits-all' when it comes to managing pain. Dr. Brian Lawenda introduces various non-pharmacologic options that may be useful therapies in helping you better cope with chronic and acute pain (i.e. aromatherapy, meditation, ... [Read More]
Might Bioidentical Hormones Be Protective Against Breast Cancer Growth?
A new study was published today that helps to shed light on the association between sex hormone imbalance and breast cancer and how the use of balanced, low levels of bioidentical sex hormones may be protective against breast cancer ... [Read More]
Cancer Cells Are The Seeds And Your Tissues Are The Soil
It is NOT a new concept that if you can make your tissues less conducive to cancer growth you will have a much greater shot at beating cancer. One of the greatest minds in the history of modern medicine (Dr Stephen Paget) eloquently noted this in ... [Read More]
Is There A Role For Vitamin C In Cancer Care?
The use of vitamin C in cancer prevention and treatment is another one of those controversial topics in oncology that I feel compelled to write about. I hope to shed some light on what we know and what we don't know. Unless you are already using ... [Read More]
Optimize Your Body And Mind Before Surgery
Is there an upcoming surgery in your future? If so, get your body and mind ready with these recommendations to help you heal more more quickly, have less pain and decrease your risk of surgery-related complications. Preparing Your MIND: Did you ... [Read More]
Tips To Unlock Your Chemo Brain
No longer is there any shred of doubt that "chemo brain" (also known as post-chemotherapy cognitive impairment, chemotherapy-induced cognitive dysfunction/impairment, chemo fog) is a real medical condition. Chemo Brain Symptoms: Unfortunately, ... [Read More]
What Is IP6 (Inositol Hexaphosphate)?
Inositol hexaphosphate ("IP6", "myo-inositol hexaphosphate" or "phytic acid") is a natural carbohydrate 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 ... [Read More]
Juicing and Blending: AntiCancer Turbocharging
Unless you have the time and ability to prepare and eat large quantities of fresh produce every day I highly recommend you consider juicing or blending. Terminology: Juicing involves grinding, pulverizing and squeezing the juices out of the ... [Read More]
Why You Need An AntiCancer Guide
Whether you just were diagnosed with cancer, currently undergoing treatment or are in remission you want to make sure you are doing everything you can do to make your body less conducive to cancer growth or recurrence. If cancer was a simple ... [Read More]
Reduce Radiation Skin Reactions With My Favorite Natural Product
Out with the old, in with the new: Prior to this study, the #1 product that I have been recommending to patients to help them minimize a common radiation skin reaction (called "radiation dermatitis") is a natural botanical, Calendula (an extract ... [Read More]
Lowering Cholesterol May Reduce Breast Cancer Growth
Breast cancer is sneaky. A new study discovers a trick that breast cancers use to get around some of our best drugs. If you know about this trick you'll be able to take action to put a stop to it. The Background: Two-thirds of all breast cancers ... [Read More]
Cocktail Of 6 Plant Extracts Kills Cancer Cells
A recent study reports on some exciting information about using a combination of 6 anticancer plant compounds to kill breast cancer cells. Before I discuss this study you need to understand a little background... Why I Believe Attacking Cancer On ... [Read More]
Why You Should Consider Taking Probiotics During And After Cancer Treatment
New studies report that when your gut bacteria are compromised chemotherapy may not work as well. Although we don't completely understand how our gut bacteria make chemotherapy work better, one study found that chemotherapy causes our gut to ... [Read More]
Multivitamins: Why I recommend them in spite of the bad press
Researchers and food scientists are almost all in agreement that in large part due to poor dietary choices and inadequate consumption of foods with high nutritional quality, a significant percentage of the U.S. population is deficient in multiple ... [Read More]
Getting Enough Anti-Cancer Sulforaphane Requires Special Instructions
Did you know that sulforaphane, one of the most potent anti-cancer and liver detoxification compounds derived from broccoli and other cruciferous plants, isn’t actually found in these foods? Incredibly, it only forms when other compounds in these ... [Read More]
Probiotics May Be Useful During Radiation Therapy To The Prostate And Other Pelvic Organs
Your internal organs and tissues move as you breath and as your bowels and bladder fill and empty. If you are getting radiation therapy to one of these moving parts, ensuring accurate targeting is essential as radiation therapy is a very precise ... [Read More]
Taking Multi-Vitamins May Reduce Your Risk Of Dying From Cancer
The best source of micronutrients is from whole food, however it is often challenging to consume enough of these in our busy lives unless you eat high quality food every day. Therefore, I encourage many of my patients to take a high quality ... [Read More]
Anti-Inflammatory Medications May Increase Survival In Cancer Patients
Why is it important to reduce inflammation? If you are a frequent reader of our IOE blog you already know how important it is to keep inflammation in your body down as much as possible after a cancer diagnosis. In particular it is the longstanding, ... [Read More]
Adrenal Exhaustion and Cancer: Is This Real?
Medical school teaches nothing about adrenal exhaustion (also known as adrenal fatigue). Most conventionally trained physicians believe this not to be a real medical diagnosis. Instead, it is simply felt to be only in the mind of the patient with no ... [Read More]
Can I Reduce The Risk Of My Cancer Growing Or Coming Back?
Literally, hundreds of patients have asked me: 'What can I do to help reduce my risk of cancer coming back or growing?' If you currently have cancer or if you are cancer survivor you likely are confused about what works and what doesn't. This ... [Read More]