Alternative Approach : Nontraditional Therapies May Boost Chemo


Chicago Daily Herald

June 17, 2003

Fifty percent to 80 percent of people with cancer use some form of
nontraditional medicine, often at the same time they are undergoing chemotherapy
and radiation therapy.

Is it safe and is it effective? According to medical studies and depending on
the therapy, the answer frequently is yes.

Nontraditional therapies that have been studied include nutrition, acupuncture,
massage, mind-body therapies, meditation, energy medicine and dietary
supplements, including vitamins and herbs.

Here are some of the findings:

Nutrition: When a patient goes through chemo or radiation therapy for cancer,
the cells of the stomach and intestines can be damaged. This results in loss of
appetite, malabsorption of food, weight loss and profound fatigue.

Massage, acupuncture and herbs like ginseng can stimulate appetite and energy
levels. Marshmallow root and slippery elm can accelerate the healing of the
bowel.

Acupuncture: This therapy has been shown to be as effective as anti-nausea
medications for the treatment of chemotherapy-related nausea. There are no
significant negative side effects. Acupuncture might combat fatigue and rekindle
the appetite. It might also encourage bone marrow recovery, though it's not
known how. Both Dr. Tony Lu of Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood and I
have witnessed bone marrow that was damaged from chemotherapy recover faster
with acupuncture.

Massage: Massage stimulates the release of natural killer cells - immune cells
that specifically target cancer. Massage also stimulates the release of brain
endorphins, natural painkillers and mood enhancers that also stimulate the
immune system.

Mind/body therapies: One of the most interesting approaches to cancer treatment,
these therapies involve the mind to "activate" the body's innate healing
process. Meditation, prayer and guided imagery commonly are used.

Energy medicine: Most medical systems worldwide believe the body's own energy
fields can stimulate healing. Researchers have proven the existence of these
energy fields. Although the evidence for effectiveness against cancer is meager,
treatments like Reiki, therapeutic touch and qigong energy healing are very
safe.

Herbs: This is an area of contention in traditional medicine. Although no herbs
have been shown to be effective against cancer, herbs like geranium thumbergii
and stragalus might make chemotherapy more effective. An increasing number of
herbs are currently being studied.

Intriguingly, some, like astralagus, seem to prevent specific cancers from
developing resistance to chemotherapy. The proper combination of chemotherapy
and herbs could increase "cures" and prolong remissions.

Because of the potential for side effects, nontraditional therapies for cancer
always should be used under the direction of a medical doctor or osteopathic
physician familiar with their use.


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]