Pangaea Clinic of Naturopathic Medicine
interventional natural medicine for rapid, lasting health
Pangaea Clinic of Naturopathic Medicine
#120 - 12011 Second Ave
Richmond, BC
V7E 3L6
(604) 275 - 0163
(604) 677 - 5910 (fax)
How can naturopathic medicine assist in the prevention and complementary treatment of cancer?
This is a very good question as there is plenty of confusion with regards to complementary medicine and cancer patients. With cancer, it is essential to seek professional advice from both your medical and your naturopathic doctor. To answer this question in a more simple sense, the specific example of breast cancer will be used.
In short, naturopathic medical treatment of breast cancer, as with other diseases, takes a functional approach. There are 4 main areas in which we aim treatment:
1. Increasing general health pre-chemotherapy and during chemotherapyThe main goal here is to help the patient to achieve a level of cellular health that will protect them from serious side-effects of chemotherapy. One of the disadvantages to conventional chemotherapy is that cancerous cells and normal healthy cells are not distinguished. Thus, often times the limiting factor in the frequency of chemo and radiotherapy are red blood counts and immune cell counts. Using high doses of intravenous antioxidants and immune stimulating nutrients, our goal is to monitor and elevate immune and red blood cells so that the patient can undergo chemotherapy or radiotherapy with less side-effects. If conventional therapy has already begun, then the goal is to shorten the time inbetween treatments; to expediate the recovery of normal blood and immune cells so that the next dose of chemo and radiotherapy can be given. Many times, using ozone therapy can eliminate the nausea, fatigue, and depression associated with chemotherapy.
2. Addressing immune system imbalancesOur immune system is designed to have an active surveillance system against cancer cells. The cell-mediated branch of immunity with its cytotoxic and natural killer cells is designed to actively search and kill cancerous cells. This branch of immunity is called Th1. Unfortunately, if another branch of immunity is excessively stimulated, the Th2 branch, then Th1 is unable to optimally combat cancer cells. One goal of our treatment is to identify whether there is a Th2/Th1 imbalance by blood testing. If it is found, then these aggravating factors are eliminated, herbs (Perilla extract, certain ginsengs, Rhodiola, and Cordyceps) are used to stimulate the Th1 cancer fighting side. Subcutaneous injections of plant alkaloids are used to stimulate Th1 immunity also. The injections may be used in close proximity to localized solid tumors to exert a localized stimulation also. Hydrogen peroxide infusions or UV blood irradiation are two therapies that are strong cytokine inducers (stimulate the immune system).
3. Address hormonal imbalancesIn breast cancer, the relationship to estrogen is clear. The use of tamoxifen to combat the growth stimulating effects of estrogen is well-documented. However, it is also well documented that certain estrogens in the body are protective. Estradiol is the main estrogen and is growth stimulating. Higher levels of estriol have actually been found to be protective against breast cancer and its recurrence. Another important index to measure and adjust is the 2-hydroxyestrone/16-hydroxyestrone ratio. Once we identify this ratio, the first step of treatment with nutritional medicine aims at elevating the protective metabolite, 2-hydroxyestrone. If the first phase is not successful after testing, then our treatment addresses the actual cellular detoxification. Certain families of enzymes that detoxify estrogen lead to the protective metabolite, and certain families lead to the non-protective metabolite. If initial conservative treatment fails at adjusting the ratio, then a detoxification assay can be done and stimulated.
4. Natural chemotherapyThere are patients who wish to undergo natural cytotoxic (cancer killing) therapy also. The view of our clinic is that natural chemotherapy should only be used as an adjunctive method. Although conventional chemotherapy is toxic and causes severe side effects, many of the side effects and discomfort can be minimized by the first branch of treatment described above. Natural chemotherapy with Careseng (a specific ginsenoside extract shown to inhibit various lines of cancer) extremely high doses of intravenous vitamin C (see www.orthomed.com), and UKRAIN therapy are used to supplement killing of cancer cells.
ConclusionsOverall, a diagnosis of cancer is life-changing. It does not have to be life-ending. Often times patients who undergo chemotherapy once will remark that they would never do it again, even if a recurrence occurs. It is because of such statements that naturopathic medicine can be so beneficial. Restoring energy, well-being, and health is a process, one that can make conventional cancer treatment more comfortable. Currently, conventional therapy is very much "outside the body's physiology" in that it depends completely on external factors of drugs, surgery, and radiation. With comprehensive naturopathic treatment, hormonal issues (which clearly have a role in prevention of recurrence), immune issues (to supplement cancer killing and surveillance) and other factors are addressed - this provides a much needed "inside the body's physiology" approach to comprehensive care.
If you would like more information, please feel free to send a note to drchan@pannaturopathic.com
Summary:
- Naturopathic medicine is an excellent adjunctive treatment for both solid tumours and hematological (blood) cancers
- Naturopathic treatment needs to be aggressive to be effective
- Adequately aggressive treatments include intravenous vitamin C, IV Careseng, oxidative medicine, and UKRAIN therapy
- Oral supplements can be used but should be monitored especially when undergoing chemotherapy
- IV treatments can be taken at the same time as chemotherapy in the majority of cases, but this depends on the chemo agents and drugs being used (discuss with Dr Chan)
- Overall health can and should also be addressed so that the patient feels well and is healthy enough to maintain an aggressive schedule of chemotherapy (blood counts back up)
- Monitoring of fasting insulin, BIA, tumor markers, all important for overall prognosis
Prevention:
- Body composition is important - phase angle, body cell mass
- Fasting insulin is a strong marker with healthy levels being an indicator of survival
- Blumer in Switzerland demonstrated the effect of detoxification on reducing the incidence of cancers by 90%
Articles for your browsing. These are past newsletters emailed to our patients and also responses for requests for information. If you have a specific topic you'd like a comment on, please email us.
The information presented within this web site is solely for education. It is copyrighted and protected as intellectual property. As all physicians have their unique opinions, this information is not to be taken as the opinion of any association or regulatory body. This website is not a substitute for personalized care by Dr Eric Chan or Dr Tawnya Ward; liability is excluded for misuse.
