News Host: A diagnosis of cancer conjures up thoughts of surgery, radiation and chemotherapy but doctors are learning it’s important not just to treat the disease but the physical and emotional side effects as well. This can involve a range of therapies, from natural medicines to complimentary treatments that can help battle effects of cancer.
Man: I was pretty sure I had cancer.
Woman: And it came back, that it was cancerous.
Woman: And that was a total surprise, didn’t expect that at all.
Man: I knew the complications of chemotherapy and radiations.
Man: Side effects which can be so rare.
News Host: Depending on the type and stage, cancer can be treated with drugs, surgery and radiation.
Dr. Timothy Birdsall: Often times patients look to natural therapies as a way to regain some part of control.
News Host: A study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology found that 69% of cancer patients have used at least one complimentary or alternative therapy as part of their treatment.
Dr. Edgar Staren: Complimentary therapies allow the body to utilize many of its own mechanisms some of which may be deficient because of the cancer.
News Host: There is an important ‘but’…
Dr. Edgar Staren: They also have their own negative effects and if that’s not known to the physician that can have dire consequences for the patient.
News Host: Though with proper supervision integrating natural medicine, not in place of but in conjunction with conventional therapy can fight side effects, provide disease fighting nutrition and restore strength.
Weight trainer: And again, sit up.
News Host: Many patients experience nausea while undergoing chemotherapy which is still a standard treatment.
Dr. Harry Raftopoulos: It’s very distressing and it really impacts the whole treatment after that.
News Host: Drugs can help sometimes but not always. Now researchers are also looking at natural remedies.
Dr. Harry Raftopoulos: Ginger has been researched for a variety of types of nausea, including nausea related to chemotherapy. Also the peppermint can be very useful in controlling that nausea.
News Host: But nausea is not the only side effect.
Dr. Allen Clark: I still have some problems with swallowing, eating after the radiation and chemotherapy.
News Host: Plastic surgeon Alan Clarke is battling throat cancer.
Dr. Bill Carroll: It’s almost like you are drinking coffee that’s too hot and you burn your throat.
News Host: Patients are often put on a feeding tube just to keep them nourished but doctors noticed patients who continue to eat and drink on their own during cancer treatment and were given a series of exercises, avoided some of the scarring that causes swallowing trouble.
Dr. Allen Clark: One exercise was to hold my tongue between my teeth and swallow, and so I would drink and swallow like that.
News Host: It’s clear, nutrition can be a challenge.
Dr. Timothy Birdsall: Sometimes we do need to really kind of pack some calories in so we may create protein shakes for patients so that they are getting concentrated nutrition.
News Host: Certain foods are being studied as cancer fighters, such as soy for prostate cancer.
Nagi Kumar: We noticed that over 70% of them reduced PSA.
News Host: PSA is the measure for prostate cancer. However, what’s good for one cancer may not be good for another.
Dr. Timothy Birdsall: A woman with estrogen receptor positive breast cancer, we don’t want her to consume soy because there is a risk that that may actually stimulate the cancer to grow.
News Host: Another challenge – restoring physical and emotional strength.
Dr. Timothy Birdsall: Moderately aggressive walking program can significantly improve patient’s energy levels.
Kathryn Schmitz: That’s great.
News Host: In fact activities once taboo are now empowering survivors to fight lingering consequences.
Kathryn Schmitz: Squeeze, I’ll give you something to squeeze on. Lymphedema is one of the most common late effects of breast cancer treatment.
News Host: Lymphedema is swelling caused by removal of lymph nodes. To prevent it patients were told to avoid heavy lifting.
Kathryn Schmitz: It is part of that old thinking.
News Host: Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania recently found a flaw in the conventional wisdom.
Kathryn Schmitz: After six months of strength training their quality of life had improved and their lymphedema symptoms had improved.
Patient: I exercise everyday. Recurrence- I don’t even think about it.
News Host: Treating the cancer; treating the side effects, but also treating the patient like a whole person.
Woman: Thank you for everything.
News Host: That’s why oncologist and cancer survivor Dr. Ed Staren recommends more than the traditional approach.
Dr. Ed Staren: Combining that with state-of-the-art and scientifically based complimentary medicine gave me and them the best chance to be around to see my grandchildren.
News Host: Knowing which complimentary treatments are appropriate requires consultation with your doctor and professionals trained in natural medicine and oncology.