Complementary Therapies » Integrative Oncology Essentials

CoQ 10 may reduce the risk of developing melanoma and reduce recurrence

Posted by Brian Lawenda M.D. at 10:36 am

Apr 232012

Reports indicate anticancer activity with higher blood levels of CoQ 10 (reduced risk of melanoma development, recurrence and progression.) Why do we rarely hear about this? Very few human studies have been conducted to confirm these findings. (imagine that…no profit potential…no money to conduct this study)

What is CoQ 10?

CoQ 10 (also known as: coenzyme Q10, Q10, Vitamin Q10, Ubiquinone, Ubiquinol, Ubidecarenone) is an important protein made by the body, that is involved in cellular metabolism (converting the energy from fats and sugars into usable cellular energy) and as a protective antioxidant.

CoQ 10 stimulates the immune system

Numerous studies have reported on the immune stimulating effects of CoQ 10, although the mechanisms involved in this physiologic activity are not known.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1673841?dopt=Abstract

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10416052?dopt=Abstract

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/101414?dopt=Abstract

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/5478631?dopt=Abstract

CoQ 10 can suppress cancer cell growth

The mechanisms involved in this anticancer activity are not known.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/4218125?dopt=Abstract

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/653103?dopt=Abstract

CoQ 10 protects the heart from chemotherapy injury

Studies have demonstrated that CoQ 10 can protect heart tissue from the potentially damaging effects of a commonly used class of chemotherapy drugs, called anthracyclines (i.e. doxorubicin).

CoQ 10 blood levels correlate with the risk of developing melanoma

Researchers prospectively followed 117 early stage (none with metastatic disease) melanoma patients and 125 healthy volunteers (control group), and they discovered some remarkable differences. First, the CoQ 10 levels were significantly lower in patients than in control group. Second, those with CoQ 10 levels less than 0.6 mg/L (low) had a 790% increased risk of developing metastatic disease compared with those patients who had higher levels of CoQ 10; the time to develop metastases was also almost double in patients with CoQ 10 levels 0.6 mg/L or higher! Among the 82 melanoma patients with a low CoQ 10 level (less than 0.6 mg/L), 17 of them died during the study period…whereas, none of the patients with higher CoQ 10 levels died.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16443053

CoQ 10 has been reported to enhance the efficacy of interferon therapy for melanoma

One of the standard therapies for use in patients with advanced stages of melanoma (stages 3-4) is an immune stimulating agent, interferon (IFN). IFN stimulates the immune system to recognize and attack melanoma cells. Patients with early stage disease (stages 1-2) are not typically recommended to receive IFN after surgery, as this drug is difficult for many patients to tolerate due to various side effects and the potential benefit in reducing the risk of recurrence has not well-established in these early stages.

One enterprising group of oncologists postulated that by giving CoQ 10 to those with early stage melanoma, they might be able to further stimulate the immune system. What they found was incredible:

In their study, they gave 32 patients with early stage (stage 1-2) melanoma IFN (2 injections per day of 600,000 IU) plus 400mg per day of CoQ10 for 3 years after surgery, while 49 received only interferon. The patients were monitored for five years after their treatment ended. They reported that the patients who received the IFN + CoQ10 had a reduction in their risk of developing metastases by 10-times compared with those who received only IFN. Furthermore, the IFN + CoQ 10 patients had far fewer IFN-related side effects compared with the IFN only patients; 22% versus 82%, respectively.

Other cancers that might benefit from CoQ 10 supplementation:

Very small studies and case reports have suggested that CoQ 10 may help some cancer patients live longer, including patients with cancers of the breast, pancreas, lung, colon, rectum, and prostate. Although these reports are promising, they are unfortunately not high-quality studies, therefore not much weight can be placed on these results.

Note of caution…don’t take CoQ 10 during radiation therapy:

A mouse study demonstrated reduced anticancer activity of radiation therapy when supplemented with CoQ 10. Radiation therapy works by creating free radicals in cancer cells, which then interact with the DNA and cause cell death. It is believed that by supplementing with a potent antioxidant, such as CoQ 10, the free radicals created by radiation therapy will be diminished along with its’ anticancer efficacy. Read my review article on this in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

CoQ 10 side effects:

None-to-mild side effects, including mild insomnia, elevated liver enzymes, rashes, nausea, upper abdominal pain/heartburn, dizziness, sensitivity to light, irritability, headache, and fatigue.

Commonly prescribed medications can lower CoQ 10 levels:

Lipid lowering medications (such as lovastatin, pravastatin, simvastatin, gemfibrozil) and the oral diabetes medications (such as glyburide and tolazamide) are well-known to reduce CoQ 10 levels. Patients taking these medications should discuss with their primary care physician supplementation with CoQ 10.

Cautionary effects of CoQ 10:

CoQ 10 may reduce the efficacy of warfarin.

CoQ 10 may reduce insulin requirements in diabetics.

As CoQ 10 has not been exhaustively researched with every chemotherapy agent or combination of agents (it’s never going to happen), recognize that there is a possibility of interactions that can either increase or decrease the anticancer effectiveness of the chemotherapy agent. Always discuss any use of supplements with your oncology team prior to using them.

Dosing:

There are no established dosing guidelines. In human studies, supplementation doses and administration schedules have varied, but usually have been in the range of 90 to 390 mg/day (most common recommendation: 100-200 mg/day)

Most absorbable form of CoQ 10:

Ubiquinol absorbs up to 8 times greater than ubiquinone, and higher levels of ubiquinol remain in the blood far longer than ubiquinone.

CoQ 10 is fat soluble. It is more effectively absorbed when taken with a meal (particularly with lipids).

Additional Resources:

National Cancer Institute PDQ: CoQ 10

About Herbs, Botanicals and Other Products (Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center): CoQ 10

Wikipedia; CoQ 10

Medline Plus (National Library of Medicine): CoQ 10

CoQ 10 and Cancer Treatment (Life Extension)**although I like many of their products, this is still a supplement company**

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Anticancer Nutrition: Protein 101

Posted by Brian Lawenda M.D. at 1:42 pm

Apr 162012

The main point on protein is that you want to consume as much of your daily protein requirements from a variety of low fat sources, such as legumes (beans, peas, lentils, soy, nuts and nut butters), deep, cold-water fish (salmon, sardines, mackerel, cod), poultry (skin removed) and whey (a milk protein.) You don’t have to completely eliminate dairy and meat (particularly, red meat: beef, pork, lamb) from your diet to live an anticancer lifestyle, but you will need to limit the quantity you consume. Increasingly, the results of numerous studies are consistently suggesting that the most healthful overall diet (anti-cancer, anti-diabetes, anti-cardiovascular disease, anti-inflammatory, [...read more...]

Anticancer Lifestyle: Stress Reduction 101

Posted by Brian Lawenda M.D. at 12:07 am

Apr 152012

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 shortly after periods of high-stress? Now, imagine what your body goes through when exposed to stress over years. Substantial evidence suggests that exposure to long periods of stress increases rates of cancer development and growth. How is this possible, you ask? Stress and cancer development: Scientists (psychoneuroimmunologists), believe that this is the end result of our chronically stressed-out [...read more...]

Anticancer Nutrition: Fats 101

Posted by Brian Lawenda M.D. at 4:27 pm

Apr 092012

Dietary fats are essential components of our daily nutritional intake, but the amount and type of fats have a large impact on the development of cancer, cardiovascular disease, systemic inflammation, oxidation, immunity and numerous other important aspects of health and disease. This article provides a basic understanding of the various dietary fats and their relevance in anticancer nutrition. General Recommendations: Limit total fat intake and avoid trans fats Increase your intake of foods high in omega-3s (i.e. cold-water, deep sea fish and nuts, flax seed) Limit foods that are higher in omega-6 fatty acids (grain-fed animal meat) Avoid foods that [...read more...]

What Is Integrative Oncology? (Free Patient Guide)

Posted by Brian Lawenda M.D. at 3:17 pm

Apr 032012

What Is Integrative Oncology? (**Free Patient Guide**)

Integrative Oncology uses the best evidence-based treatments (i.e. surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, acupuncture, massage, stress reduction, herbal/botanicals, etc.) with the following goals: Treating the cancer Preventing recurrence Reducing side effects and symptoms Integrative Oncology encourages living a healthy lifestyle to help the body in its’ innate abilities to fight and prevent cancer. This can be accomplished by learning strategies to reduce stress, increasing physical activity and eating healthfully (“anti-cancer diet & nutrition.”) Practicing these lifestyle changes leads to beneficial “anti-cancer” effects: Strengthening the immune system Decreasing inflammation throughout the body Reducing (free radical) oxidative damage to cells Decreasing hormonal stimulation of cancer cells Treatments are selected using a customized approach for each person [...read more...]

One of the best videos you will see on integrative oncology & living an “anti-cancer” lifestyle

Posted by Brian Lawenda M.D. at 1:19 pm

Mar 142012

One of the best videos you will see on integrative oncology & living an "anti-cancer" lifestyle

Dr. David Servan-Schreiber was one of the most influential physicians in our field of integrative oncology, and in this wonderful lecture you will learn why. His book, Anti-Cancer: A New Way Of Life, remains an international best-seller and one that I recommend to most of my patients. If you are interested in learning about integrative oncology and how to reduce your risk of cancer development, recurrence and progression, I strongly recommend you watch this video. This lecture is worth your time, and it will blow your mind. You can find the latest edition (December 31, 2009) of his book [...read more...]

12-minute yoga slows cellular aging, improves cognitive function and reduces depression

Posted by Brian Lawenda M.D. at 11:04 pm

Mar 132012

12-minute yoga slows cellular aging, improves cognitive function and reduces depression

This remarkable study explored the effects of a convenient 12-minute, daily yoga practice on a group of psycho-emotionally taxed caregivers. What they discovered is truly amazing. In their study, the researchers compared two groups of study participants. The first group, the yoga group, were instructed to practice a chanting meditation, “Kirtan Kriya“, every day at the same time for eight weeks. The second group, the control group, was asked to relax in a quiet place with their eyes closed while listening to instrumental music on a relaxation CD, also for 12 minutes every day at the same time for eight weeks. Results: [...read more...]

Consuming foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids reduces fatigue & inflammation in breast cancer survivors

Posted by Brian Lawenda M.D. at 6:58 pm

Mar 132012

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 researchers studied the potential effects of dietary omega-3 versus omega-6 in a population of 633 breast cancer survivors. Specifically, the authors wanted to know if a higher intake of omega-3 foods has a beneficial impact on fatigue, a common complaint of breast cancer survivors. Cancer related fatigue is thought to be due, in large part, to systemic inflammation that occurs as a [...read more...]

Would you change your lifestyle if you knew you had silent (occult) cancer cells hiding in your body?

Posted by Brian Lawenda M.D. at 1:55 pm

Jan 302012

Would you change your lifestyle if you knew you had silent (occult) cancer cells hiding in your body?

I ask this question based on the fact that we know that cancer cells often spread early in the course of disease and they can remain silent (occult or hidden) for years. The Background: Among women with the earliest stage of invasive breast cancer (stage 1), 25% of them already have breast cancer cells that can be found in their bone marrow. (reference) Among men with the earliest stages of prostate cancer (pT2, no lymph node involvement, Gleason scores </=6, PSA </=4 ng/mL), over 70% of them have prostate cancer cells that can be found in their bone marrow. Even [...read more...]

Cannabis and Cancer: 1 plant versus 5 common symptoms that affect cancer patients

Posted by Brian Lawenda M.D. at 7:32 pm

Jan 282012

Cannabis and Cancer: 1 plant versus 5 common symptoms that affect cancer patients

This is a completely apolitical 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 medical use” (Schedule 1). By federal law, possessing Cannabis, is illegal in the U.S. Although U.S. federal law prohibits the use of Cannabis, 16 states and the District of Columbia permit its use for certain medical conditions with a physicians’ prescription. That said, doctors in these states may not legally do so without violating federal law and can lose their federal license to [...read more...]

Depression and cancer: Screening is essential

Posted by Brian Lawenda M.D. at 1:40 pm

Dec 262011

Depression and cancer: Screening is essential

Depression affects up to 50% of patients with cancer, and unfortunately many go undiagnosed and suffer in silence. The problem is two-fold: 1) Oncologists often feel too busy or not qualified to be able to diagnose and treat this condition, and 2) The majority of patients do not volunteer their concerns about their psychoemotional distress, either feeling too ashamed to admit that they are not coping well with the emotional and psychological distress of their cancer or believing that their physicians and nurses are not concerned about these issues. Background: In some studies, depression has been associated with poorer survival [...read more...]

Employing a multi-pronged anticancer approach using natural supplements and whole foods

Posted by Brian Lawenda M.D. at 11:52 am

Dec 022011

Employing a multi-pronged anticancer approach using natural supplements and whole foods

The data supporting anticancer activity in natural supplements is extensive. Unfortunately, oncologists and patients are hampered by the paucity of high-quality clinical trials in deciding which supplements might improve clinical outcomes. Designing and conducting these studies is expensive and will take many years before we have answers (i.e. which supplements work for which cancers, what doses are effective, how do they interact with other therapies/compounds, etc.) These studies can be done and must be done, but what do we do in the meantime? Most oncologists suggest to their patients that they simply consume a diet containing a wide-variety of phytonutrient [...read more...]

Struggling with nausea? Try this simple and effective Chinese medicine technique (“moxibustion”)

Posted by Brian Lawenda M.D. at 5:38 pm

Nov 192011

Struggling with nausea? Try this simple and effective Chinese medicine technique ("moxibustion")

One of the effective techniques for dealing with chemotherapy and radiation therapy-related nausea involves an ancient Chinese technique called “moxibustion.” It involves the use of a rolled herbal cigar of dried and/or processed mugwort, also called “moxa.” When burned, the smoldering moxa serves as a medicinal heat source that is held directly over the skin at specific acupuncture points to stimulate their activity. Stomach 36 (or “ST 36″) is my favorite acupuncture point for treating nausea. I feel that this point is even more effective than Pericardium 6 (“P 6″), on the underside of the wrist. ST 36 is located by [...read more...]

Vitamin E: Is it safe for men anymore?

Posted by Brian Lawenda M.D. at 5:17 pm

Oct 142011

In light of the recently reported SELECT study, many patients are asking this question. Here is my short response: The data from the recently reported SELECT trial show a 17% increased risk of developing prostate cancer with 400 IU’s of vitamin E per day (but no difference in risk when men took both selenium and vitamin E vs. placebo). No data have yet been reported on the baseline serum levels of alpha-tocopherol among the men in this trial, which will be quite important. Researchers are scratching their heads trying to understand these counterintuitive data. Conflicting data: The data from [...read more...]

Potentially-lethal blood clots, embolism and cancer: up to 20% of cancer patients affected (reduce your risk)

Posted by Brian Lawenda M.D. at 7:33 pm

Sep 212011

Potentially-lethal blood clots, embolism and cancer: up to 20% of cancer patients affected (reduce your risk)

Did you know that within the first year of being treated for cancer, up to 1 in 5 individuals will develop a potentially life-threatening blood clot within the deep leg or pelvic veins (called a deep vein thrombosis or DVT) that dislodges and travels through the circulatory system until they become lodged in an artery or vein? This event can be lethal when the clot blocks blood flow to critical tissues within the lungs, brain or heart. This condition is called a venous thromboembolism (VTE). Risk factors for DVT’s and VTE’s: DVT’s and VTE’s occur much more commonly among those with [...read more...]

Nature’s remedy for Mucositis: Good ol’ pure natural honey

Posted by Brian Lawenda M.D. at 5:58 pm

Sep 022011

Nature's remedy for Mucositis: Good ol' pure natural honey

Mucositis is one of the most painful side effects of cancer treatment. It affects approximately 40% of patients who receive standard-doses of chemotherapy and 60-90% of patients receiving chemotherapy and radiation for head and neck cancers. It can develop at any point during treatment and tends to progress as treatment continues. Signs of mucositis range from mucosal redness to mucosal sloughing, ulceration, and bleeding. If not well-controlled, mucositis pain can make eating and swallowing very difficult, leading to weight loss and dehydration. Additionally, breakdown of the the protective mucous membrane barrier can permit increased colonization and eventual infection by oral yeast/fungi [...read more...]

Amazing anti-cancer compound derived from the French Lilac: Galega officianalis (metformin)

Posted by Brian Lawenda M.D. at 12:39 pm

Aug 292011

Amazing anti-cancer compound derived from the French Lilac: Galega officianalis (metformin)

Metformin is a medication derived from the herb Galega officinalis (French lilac, also known as Goat’s Rue or Italian Fitch) and has been used as a traditional botanical (tea infusion) for over 3,000 years to relieve polyuria (frequent urination) and halitosis (sweet odor on the breath), both are now well known symptoms of diabetes. Approved for the treatment of hyperglycemia in Britain since the late 1950′s, Canada in the 1970′s and U.S. in 1995, metformin is the most widely prescribed diabetes drugs (over 120 million prescriptions filled yearly worldwide). Although the mechanism of action of metformin in diabetes is only partially understood, metformin treatment [...read more...]

Relaxation gizmos: Rapidly reduce stress & improve emotional balance with these palm-sized biofeedback devices

Posted by Brian Lawenda M.D. at 6:08 pm

Aug 262011

Relaxation gizmos: Rapidly reduce stress & improve emotional balance with these palm-sized biofeedback devices

Chronic stress (via prolonged stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system and inhibition of the parasympathetic nervous system) is toxic to the body and mind, and is causally linked to a wide-range of deleterious conditions (examples): Anxiety Disorders Asthma Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Cardiac-related morbidity and mortality Cognitive impairment Coronary heart disease Depression Chronic pain Diabetes Digestive problems (i.e. IBS, etc.) Immune suppression (leading to increased susceptibility to viral infections, etc.) Inflammation Insomnia Headache (migraine and tension) Hostility Hypertension Memory impairment Sedentary Lifestyle Skin problems (i.e. eczema, etc.) Stress Substance Abuse Effects of Chronic Stress: Periods of long-term exposure to [...read more...]

Testosterone replacement therapy in men with prostate cancer: An oncologist’s perspective

Posted by Brian Lawenda M.D. at 5:41 pm

Jul 252011

Testosterone replacement therapy in men with prostate cancer: An oncologist's perspective

“Does testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) increase the risk of my prostate cancer coming back?” It seems that this question is coming up more often these days among patients who have completed treatment for prostate cancer. The Background: Very effective direct to consumer marketing campaigns touting the benefits of TRT and “bio-identical hormone therapy” (i.e. Dr Life’s Cenegenics, BodyLogicMD, etc.) have peeked the interest of many men who are starting to feel the mental and physical effects of ‘aging’. Popular TV news, talk shows and radio programs have spread the word about so the called “male menopause” or “andropause”. As part [...read more...]

The power of the placebo effect: who cares if it’s the placebo effect if it works (…and other thoughts)!?

Posted by Brian Lawenda M.D. at 10:36 pm

Jul 132011

The power of the placebo effect: who cares if it's the placebo effect if it works (...and other thoughts)!?

The simple act of offering a therapy to a patient has tremendous psychological effects that can strongly blunt the perception of physiologic processes. This effect, also known as the “placebo effect” is hardly a new concept, but for the first time it is legitimized as an important aspect of care in the most prestigious American medical journal (The New England Journal of Medicine). In a fascinating and (as always) thought-provoking Ted Kaptchuck (Harvard Medical School) study, 39 asthma patients were randomized to one of four groups and instructed to discontinue their asthma medications: albuterol inhaler (a common asthma medication) given [...read more...]

Integrative Oncology: Given the choice, would you really want any other approach to the treatment of cancer?

Posted by Brian Lawenda M.D. at 10:51 pm

Jul 102011

Integrative Oncology: Given the choice, would you really want any other approach to the treatment of cancer?

In the “Integrative Oncology-Essentials Blog” (IOE Blog), I have covered a wide-range of topics pertaining to cancer treatment (i.e. from proton beam therapy to botanical medicines), managing side effects and symptoms (i.e. from exercise to acupuncture), identifying and preventing treatment-related complications (i.e. from lymphedema detection to acupuncture treatment for dry mouth), cancer prevention (i.e. from consuming an anti-cancer diet to taking baby aspirin), anti-cancer interventions and lifestyle modifications (i.e. from stress reduction to smoking cessation), and others. From time to time, we need to take a step back and simply review the overall concept of integrative oncology. What Is Integrative Oncology? [...read more...]

Bioidentical hormone therapy in cancer patients: an integrative oncologist’s perspective

Posted by Brian Lawenda M.D. at 1:27 pm

Jun 012011

Bioidentical hormone therapy in cancer patients: an integrative oncologist's perspective

Hormones are proteins that have very important stimulatory effects on tissues, organs and glands within the body. In normal physiologic states, the production and release of the endogenous (made by the body) hormones is tightly controlled. However, when the normal hormonal physiology is disturbed these hormone levels may become too high or too low, potentially leading to a variety of deficiency or excess hormone states and conditions (i.e. hypogonadism, hypo/hyperthyroidism, adrenal insufficiency, menopause, diabetes, etc.) Hormones produced by the following tissues (i.e. thyroid, pituitary gland, adrenal glands, pancreas, ovaries, testes, etc.) control all of our most important bodily functions: digestion [...read more...]

Inhaling vaporized botanicals as medicine

Posted by Brian Lawenda M.D. at 12:06 am

May 292011

Inhaling vaporized botanicals as medicine

The use of plants as medicine has been and continues to be employed by cultures throughout the world in the treatment of numerous physical and psychological conditions and symptoms. It is estimated that 80% of the world’s population use plants as medicine. The most common routes of administration of these botanical compounds are oral, topical or inhalational (smoke), and they come in a variety of forms: concoctions, decoctions, salves, lotions, ointments, pills, tablets, powders, extracts and pure plant sources. When smoking herbal/botanical compounds (think: cigarettes, cigars, pipes, etc.), an individual inhales a long list of toxins and carcinogens that are [...read more...]

Mushrooms: Promising natural anti-cancer and immune modulatory effects

Posted by Brian Lawenda M.D. at 3:24 pm

Apr 182011

Mushrooms: Promising natural anti-cancer and immune modulatory effects

The medicinal use of mushrooms have been employed for over 3,000 years in the treatment of many conditions. Hundreds of peer-reviewed studies have been published indicating the wide-range of positive health effects of fungi (click on this link to see a breakdown of effects for various mushroom species), with much of the research focusing on varieties more commonly found in Asia. Human studies have found: immune stimulating/enhancing effects stimulation of cytotoxic T cells and enhanced natural killer (NK) cell activity anti-viral effects (active against: herpes, human papilloma virus, Epstein Barr virus) anti-bacterial effects anti-cancer effects (i.e. pro-apoptosis, anti-angiogenic, inhibition of [...read more...]

Fight weight loss (and potentially improve survival) during cancer therapy using a fish oil supplement

Posted by Brian Lawenda M.D. at 5:44 pm

Apr 162011

Fight weight loss (and potentially improve survival) during cancer therapy using a fish oil supplement

The conclusions of two studies published in 2011, in the journal Cancer, suggest that the use of a fish oil supplement taken during treatment for cancer can help patients maintain their weight (**and improves the efficacy of chemotherapy**) The first study examined the use of a fish oil supplement (2.5 grams of EPA + DHA/day) in patients undergoing first-line chemotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer. The control group of patients only received chemotherapy. The authors found at one year: A significant improvement in the response rate to the chemotherapy in those patients that received the fish oil supplement versus the [...read more...]

Acupuncture alleviates hot flashes in men treated with hormone therapy: 80% improvement in hot flash symptoms and no side effects

Posted by Brian Lawenda M.D. at 6:54 pm

Apr 062011

Acupuncture alleviates hot flashes in men treated with hormone therapy: 80% improvement in hot flash symptoms and no side effects

Another study has been published on the efficacy of acupuncture in the treatment of hot flashes. Having used this treatment for many of my patients (men and women) with hormone therapy-induced hot flashes, I am not surprised at the published results. The patients included a small cohort of men with prostate cancer who were being treated with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). The investigators used a simple protocol of electroacupuncture (sorry for the acupuncture lingo to follow: 10 bilateral points at GB34, SP6, KI3, ST36, BL15, BL23, Taiyang, HT7, PC6, LI11; De Qi was elicited at all points and 2Hz was [...read more...]

Taking probiotics before and during pelvic radiation therapy may reduce diarrhea

Posted by Brian Lawenda M.D. at 12:59 pm

Apr 052011

Taking probiotics before and during pelvic radiation therapy may reduce diarrhea

Diarrhea is a common side-effect of pelvic and abdominal radiation therapy. In a fascinating study, published in 2010, researchers reported that taking a probiotic supplement before and during radiation therapy for cervical cancer significantly reduced the incidence of moderate (grade 2) and severe diarrhea (grade 3) compared with patients who received a placebo; grade 2 and 3 diarrhea (45% in the placebo group versus 9% in the probiotic group). These beneficial results were supported by the reduction in the use of anti-diarrheal medications among the patients taking the probiotic supplement (9% used anti-diarrheals) versus the placebo (32% used anti-diarrheals). Read [...read more...]

Religion and spirituality in cancer care: Perception of quality of care is increased when these topics are addressed

Posted by Brian Lawenda M.D. at 3:13 pm

Mar 092011

Religion and spirituality in cancer care: Perception of quality of care is increased when these topics are addressed

In the U.S., the majority of patients consider their religious beliefs and spiritual values very important in helping them cope with cancer. Importantly, studies report that patients feel that the quality of care they receive from their physicians is significantly enhanced when spirituality and religion are addressed. Research indicates that when physicians support the spiritual well-being of their patients, there are measurable improvements in their quality of life. As defined by the U.S. National Cancer Institute: “The terms spirituality and religion are often used in place of each other, but for many people they have different meanings. Religion may be defined as [...read more...]

Integrative Oncology Basics: download the NEW 2011 free guide on integrative oncology cancer care and prevention

Posted by Brian Lawenda M.D. at 3:50 pm

Jan 102011

Integrative Oncology Basics: download the *NEW 2011* free guide on integrative oncology cancer care and prevention

Welcome to INTEGRATIVE ONCOLOGY-ESSENTIALS (IOE). My name is Dr. Brian Lawenda, and I am one of only a handful of physicians in the United States who is a radiation oncologist, integrative oncologist and medical acupuncturist. I developed the IOE WEBSITE, BLOG and the Integrative Oncology Essentials: A Patients’ Guide To Cancer Care And Prevention as a means of sharing up to date “Integrative Oncology” news, information and resources with my patients. I hope that this content is helpful to anyone living with or beyond a diagnosis of cancer.” Download the new 2011 guide here. Become a FAN to follow us [...read more...]

Dying from prostate or colorectal cancer is reduced by up to 61% with exercise!!

Posted by Brian Lawenda M.D. at 4:57 pm

Jan 062011

Dying from prostate or colorectal cancer is reduced by up to 61% with exercise!!

Harvard researchers (reporting in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, in January 2011) discovered that men with a diagnosis of prostate cancer who exercised at least 3-hours each week decreased their risk of dying from prostate cancer by 61% compared to those who exercised less than 1-hour per week. Additionally, performing 3 or more hours of exercise each week conveyed a 46% reduction in risk of dying of any cause. Although the authors stated that these results were limited to those who performed ”vigorous” physical activity for at least 3-hours each week, participating in less vigorous exercise (i.e. walking, jogging, biking, gardening) for even 15-minutes each [...read more...]

Ugh!…Hot flashes: Try acupuncture

Posted by Brian Lawenda M.D. at 12:48 pm

Nov 282010

The dreaded hot flash is among the most annoying and common side effect experienced while taking various hormonal medications commonly prescribed for patients with breast and prostate cancers. Fortunately, there are ways to help reduce the intensity and/or frequency of hot flashes: Conventional therapies (although, these may have side effects of their own): Antidepressant medications (i.e. Effexor, etc.) Non-conventional/Complementary therapies: Acupuncture Meditation and breathing exercises Hypnosis Did you know that acupuncture was reported (Journal of Clinical Oncology, February 2010) to be as effective as taking an anti-depressant medication (Effexor) in reducing hot flashes in women receiving antiestogren hormone therapy for [...read more...]

Green tea has no effect on breast cancer prevention: questions remain unanswered about other potential anti-cancer effects of green tea.

Posted by Brian Lawenda M.D. at 2:52 pm

Oct 282010

Green tea has no effect on breast cancer prevention: questions remain unanswered about other potential anti-cancer effects of green tea.

An excellent study (published in October 2010, in Breast Cancer Research) reported that consumption of green tea provides no benefit in reducing the risk of developing breast cancer. The authors examined the prospectively collected data on 53,793 women, in Japan, who provided information on their level of consumption of green tea over a 5-year study period. They looked at various factors to determine if there were any subcategories of women who might have experienced a reduced risk of of developing breast cancer, but they could not find any correlations (i.e. demographics, amount of green tea consumed, type of tea consumption, [...read more...]

Curcumin (a natural compound in curry) enhances the effects of chemotherapy

Posted by Brian Lawenda M.D. at 12:48 pm

Oct 242010

Curcumin (a natural compound in curry) enhances the effects of chemotherapy

Multiple studies have demonstrated the anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory effects of curcumin, a natural compound found in the yellow spice, turmeric (used in curry.) Research seems very promising suggesting that adding supplemental curcumin (likely as a high-dose isolated extract) may enhance the anti-cancer effects of certain chemotherapy drugs and possibly radiation therapy. To date, most of the studies have been conducted in petri dishes and in animals. A recently published manuscript (in October 2010, in Molecular Cancer Therapeutics) reported a significant cancer inhibitory effect on implanted head and neck cancer tumors (specifically, squamous cell carcinomas) in mice that were given a [...read more...]

Cancer patients need to select an acupuncturist with experience working with cancer.

Posted by Brian Lawenda M.D. at 3:09 pm

Sep 192010

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, anxiety, depression, fatigue, hot flashes, muscle and joint pains, nausea and many other symptoms. Increasingly there are data suggesting that there may be beneficial effects on immune and inflammatory physiology. As an oncologist (and medical acupuncturist), I often recommend acupuncture to my patients. It is very important that the acupuncturist be experienced in working with cancer patients, as there are numerous important safety issues to keep in [...read more...]

Chronic stress increased the risk of cancer metastases (spread) by 30-fold!!

Posted by Brian Lawenda M.D. at 11:55 am

Sep 182010

Chronic stress increased the risk of cancer metastases (spread) by 30-fold!!

In a study (published in Cancer Research, September 2010), investigators from UCLA demonstrated the biological effects of chronic stress leading to a 30-fold increase in the rate of breast cancer metastases in a mouse study. This study adds the the mounting evidence suggesting that the physiologic changes that occur as a result of chronic stress (i.e. increased stimulation of the sympathetic “fight or flight” nervous system) can increase the risk of cancer progression. The authors examined the effects of chronic stress in mice injected with breast cancer cells. The mice were subjected to a chronic stress model by being confined [...read more...]

Massage is an excellent therapy to help relieve pain, anxiety and stress for anyone with a diagnosis of cancer

Posted by Brian Lawenda M.D. at 11:59 am

Jul 142010

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), timeframes (before, during and after cancer treatment) and stages of cancer (early, advanced, in remission.) Regardless of the massage technique (Swedish, light touch, etc.) and protocol (duration and schedule), the vast majority of individuals derive significant quality of life benefits. Researchers have postulated that massage works through multiple mechanisms: increased blood and lymphatic movement, stimulates release of natural pain and stress reducing molecules (endogenous [...read more...]

Discuss ALL your medications and supplements with your cancer care team: Potentially serious interactions are common among cancer patients

Posted by Brian Lawenda M.D. at 12:54 pm

Jul 042010

Discuss ALL your medications and supplements with your cancer care team: Potentially serious interactions are common among cancer patients

Studies indicate that one-third of cancer patients take combinations of medications (both prescribed and non-prescription/over-the-counter drugs) that place them at risk of potentially dangerous interactions. (Read More Here) This number may actually be far greater after accounting for the widespread use of dietary supplements, including high-dose vitamins and various botanical/herbal therapies. To make matters even more confusing, studies have demonstrated potentially serious interactions that can occur when consuming certain foods (i.e. grapefruit) while taking medications that are metabolized by the liver. Drug-drug interactions, drug-supplement interactions and drug-food interactions can range from minor interactions that have little to no noticeable effects [...read more...]

Anxiety & stress can be reduced with a simple, 5-minute acupuncture treatment

Posted by Brian Lawenda M.D. at 10:39 am

Jun 302010

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 to undergoing dental procedures. The patients received their acupuncture treatment 5-minutes prior to undergoing a dental procedure. It is not uncommon for cancer patients to experience significant anxiety surrounding their conventional cancer treatment (i.e. chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery, etc.) Although this study was not conducted with cancer patients, it is certainly compelling to consider using a similar, 5-minute acupuncture treatment in the oncology setting. (Read More [...read more...]

Greater than 50% of breast cancer patients either discontinue or are non-adherent to hormonal therapy regimens

Posted by Brian Lawenda M.D. at 11:59 am

Jun 292010

Greater than 50% of breast cancer patients either discontinue or are non-adherent to hormonal therapy regimens

In a study published, in June 2010 (in the Journal of Clinical Oncology) investigators have found that over 50% of breast cancer patients, who have been prescribed hormonal therapy medications (“aromatase inhibitors” or “Tamoxifen”) for preventing recurrence of breast cancer, either prematurely discontinue or do not take their medication as prescribed (“non-adherence” was defined in this study as, taking <80% of the prescribed pills.) All patients in this study (8,769 patients) had “estrogen positive”, invasive breast cancers (stages 1-3) and were therefore recommended to take hormonal therapy for a total of 5-years. Previous studies have demonstrated that patients who take less than 5-years [...read more...]

Integrative Oncology Essentials: A Patients’ Guide To Cancer Care And Prevention (Free Download!!)

Posted by Brian Lawenda M.D. at 5:42 pm

May 312010

Integrative Oncology Essentials: A Patients' Guide To Cancer Care And Prevention (Free Download!!)

I have written a guide (Integrative Oncology Essentials: A Patients’ Guide To Cancer Care And Cancer Prevention) for my patients that covers many of the important topics I address in my integrative oncology lectures and consultations. I am pleased to offer this guide, as a free download (CLICK HERE: IOE Guide_V3). I really hope that the information is helpful to you, your loved ones and anyone who is interested in learning more about using integrative oncology approaches to cancer prevention and cancer care. I would be grateful to hear your comments and suggestions on how to improve future versions of this [...read more...]

Shark cartilage is NOT an effective cancer treatment- stop killing sharks for their fins!

Posted by Brian Lawenda M.D. at 9:46 am

May 282010

Shark cartilage is NOT an effective cancer treatment- stop killing sharks for their fins!

An excellent study (published in May 2010, in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute) demonstrates that shark cartilage is NOT an effective treatment for cancer. This study was conducted to evaluate the potential survival benefit of adding a pharmacologic-grade shark fin supplement to a conventional treatment regimen (chemotherapy and radiation therapy) in individuals with lung cancer. Sharks fins have been used as a cancer treatment (mainly in Asia) with the presumption that since sharks don’t develop cancer (this is actually not true- sharks do develop cancer), they must have an ‘anti-cancer’ substance within their tissues. In the current study, [...read more...]

Acupuncture reduces neck/shoulder pain and dry mouth after treatment for head & neck cancers

Posted by Brian Lawenda M.D. at 10:11 am

May 202010

Acupuncture reduces neck/shoulder pain and dry mouth after treatment for head & neck cancers

In a study (published in May 2010, in the Journal of Clinical Oncology) investigators from the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center studied the potential benefits of acupuncture in patients with cancers of the head & neck who had undergone lymph node surgery (neck dissection.) Neck and shoulder pain is a common symptom (occuring 30-70% of the time) in patients who have undergone a neck dissection. Because acupuncture has been shown in multiple studies to improve neck and shoulder pain from non-surgical causes, the study authors designed a study to examine if it could be used in treating post-surgical pain in these patients. [...read more...]

What is Integrative Oncology? I created diagrams to illustrate the holism and complexity of this fascinating subject.

Posted by Brian Lawenda M.D. at 4:08 pm

May 072010

What is Integrative Oncology? I created diagrams to illustrate the holism and complexity of this fascinating subject.

Visit the Integrative Oncology-Essentials Website to learn more about the core principles to help prevent cancer development and cancer recurrence. I developed diagrams (CLICK HERE to see in FULL-SIZE) to help explain to my patients the core principles of integrative oncology. It shows the process of how healthy, normal cells transform into cancer cells. They demonstrate how lifestyle and behaviors can influence this process and can be used to decrease one’s risk of cancer development and progression. Importantly, the diagrams show how cancer and its’ treatment can lead to the development and exacerbation of other medical problems (Did you know that most [...read more...]

Post-traumatic stress disorder in cancer survivors

Posted by Brian Lawenda M.D. at 4:13 pm

May 062010

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 post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The authors compared the cancer survivors to those of their unaffected siblings, and noted that the survivors had a 4-fold higher risk of having PTSD. (Read More Here) This study is important for integrative oncologists as it clearly demonstrates the severe psychoemotional consequences that can occur following the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Although this study evaluated only [...read more...]