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]
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]
Stress and Cancer 101: Why Stress Reduction Is Essential
One of the key pillars of integrative oncology is stress reduction. The majority of us intuitively recognize the link between stress and the immune system. How many times in your life have you come down with a cold or other viral infection ... [Read More]
Consuming foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids reduces fatigue & inflammation in breast cancer survivors
A new study, reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, found that breast cancer survivors have less fatigue if they consumed higher quantities of foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids (a major component of an "anti-inflammatory diet"). The ... [Read More]
Cannabis and Cancer: prescribe 5 different drugs or simply one botanical…your choice
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]
Cancer patients need to select an acupuncturist with experience working with cancer.
Acupuncture has been shown to be an incredibly helpful therapy for patients during and after various cancer treatments (i.e. chemotherapy, surgery, radiation therapy, hormonal therapy, etc.) Studies have demonstrated efficacy in reducing stress, ... [Read More]
Massage is an excellent therapy to help relieve pain, anxiety and stress for anyone with a diagnosis of cancer
Numerous, high-quality studies have been published over the last decade demonstrating the effectiveness of massage in reducing pain, stress and anxiety in individuals with cancer. These studies have included patients of all ages (infants to elderly), ... [Read More]
Anxiety & stress can be reduced with a simple, 5-minute acupuncture treatment
A study published, in March 2010 (in Acupuncture in Medicine/British Medical Journal) reports a 50% reduction in measured anxiety scores following a single, 5-minute acupuncture treatment. All enrolled patients had a history of severe anxiety prior ... [Read More]
Post-traumatic stress disorder in cancer survivors
In a study (published in May 2010, in Pediatrics) investigators found that in a population of over 6,500 adults, who were survivors of childhood cancers, there was high percentage who reported signs and symptoms consistent with a diagnosis of ... [Read More]