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
 
Anticancer Nutrition: Protein 101

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...]

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Anticancer Lifestyle: Stress Reduction 101

 Posted by Brian Lawenda M.D. at 12:07 am
Apr 152012
 
Anticancer Lifestyle: Stress Reduction 101

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...]

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Anticancer Nutrition: Fats 101

 Posted by Brian Lawenda M.D. at 4:27 pm
Apr 092012
 
Anticancer Nutrition: Fats 101

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...]

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Anticancer Nutrition: Sugar & Insulin 101

 Posted by Brian Lawenda M.D. at 12:45 am
Apr 042012
 
Anticancer Nutrition: Sugar & Insulin 101

The Basics: How does insulin work? In a healthy person, insulin helps turn food into energy — in an efficient manner. The stomach breaks down carbohydrates from food into sugars, including glucose. Glucose then enters the bloodstream, which stimulates the pancreas to release insulin in just the right amount. Insulin, a hormone, allows glucose to enter cells throughout the body, where it is used as fuel. Excess glucose is stored in the liver. What is IGF-1 (Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1)? IGF-1 is an important protein (hormone) that stimulates cells (including many cancer cells) to grow and is involved in multiple aspects of [...read more...]

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Anticancer Nutrition: 7 Important Anti-Cancer Diet Tips

 Posted by Brian Lawenda M.D. at 5:28 pm
Apr 032012
 
Anticancer Nutrition: 7 Important Anti-Cancer Diet Tips

Point #1: Limit The Amount Of Fat In Your Diet Studies suggest that diets higher in the bad fats: Increase the risk of developing cancer (especially more aggressive cancers) and cancer progression. Suppress the immune system and increase inflammation in the body. Increase the risk of dying from numerous cancers (i.e. breast, prostate, colorectal, lung) Bad fats include the trans fats (partially and fully hydrogented fats) and saturated fats: Try to limit your intake of saturated fats to 5-10% of your total daily calories. Transfats are bad. There is no reason to ever consume them. The risk of breast cancer almost [...read more...]

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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...]

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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...]

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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...]

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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...]

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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...]

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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...]

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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...]

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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...]

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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...]

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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...]

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Smoking increases the risk of prostate cancer recurrence and death

 Posted by Brian Lawenda M.D. at 8:31 am
Jun 242011
 
Smoking increases the risk of prostate cancer recurrence and death

One of the most important studies I have read on prostate cancer was published earlier this week in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health investigated the possible effects of smoking and prostate cancer. They followed a group of over 5,300 men for an average of 8 years after being diagnosed with prostate cancer. They found something VERY surprising. Men who continued to smoke after their diagnosis of prostate cancer (compared to either men who never smoked or who quit 10+ years before their diagnosis) had much worse outcomes. They had: a [...read more...]

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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...]

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Learn more about prostate cancer and nutrition: the same concepts apply to most cancers and are an integral component of integrative oncology

 Posted by Brian Lawenda M.D. at 4:11 pm
Mar 122011
 
Learn more about prostate cancer and nutrition: the same concepts apply to most cancers and are an integral component of integrative oncology

I was asked to give a short talk on this topic recently. Although it was specifically targeted to an audience interested in learning more about the role of nutrition and prostate cancer, the concepts broadly apply for most cancers. One of the most important slides is the one that highlights the fact that the “anti-cancer” diet is similar to the “heart-healthy” diet, “anti-aging” diet, “anti-diabetes” diet, “anti-Alzheimer’s” diet, “anti-inflammatory” diet, etc… (the point being: if you are following any one of these diets, you are reducing your risk of of various diseases.) Read the presentation here: Dr. Mark Moyad (University [...read more...]

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*New* 2010 USDA Dietary Guidelines for Americans: Reduce your risk of cancer development, recurrence and progression.

 Posted by Brian Lawenda M.D. at 4:18 pm
Feb 052011
 
*New* 2010 USDA Dietary Guidelines for Americans: Reduce your risk of cancer development, recurrence and progression.

The USDA published its’ updated dietary guidelines in late January 2011. The latest USDA dietary recommendations incorporates most of the same recommendations that are touted under different names: “Heart healthy diet” “Anti-cancer diet” “Anti-aging diet” “Anti-Alzheimer’s disease diet” “Anti-inflammatory diet” “Anti-diabetes diet” “Mediterranean diet” “Japanese diet” …and the list goes on… In summary, these are the recommendations: Consume less total fat (especially saturated fat) Maintain a healthy caloric balance (through a combined approach of calorie intake and physical activity) Increase your intake of fruits and vegetables, beans and grains Decrease your intake of processed foods, simple carbohydrates (i.e. refined sugars, [...read more...]

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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...]

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Typical U.S. diet (high fat and cholesterol) increases breast cancer development and progression by 50% (in mice)!!

 Posted by Brian Lawenda M.D. at 12:38 pm
Jan 072011
 
Typical U.S. diet (high fat and cholesterol) increases breast cancer development and progression by 50% (in mice)!!

A fascinating study (published in The American Journal of Pathology, in January 2011) reported that when placed on a diet of 21% fat and 0.2% cholesterol (similar to the typical diet in the U.S.), there was a 50% increase in the size and number of breast cancer tumors in mice (with a genetic proclivity for developing breast cancer) compared to those mice who were placed on a low-fat diet (4.5% fat) with negligible cholesterol. This study, albeit a mouse experiment, is still very intriguing and is consistent with findings from other groups (suggesting that diets higher in saturated fats lead [...read more...]

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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...]

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One “baby aspirin” per day cuts cancer death risk by up to 60%

 Posted by Brian Lawenda M.D. at 8:57 am
Dec 072010
 
One "baby aspirin" per day cuts cancer death risk by up to 60%

A study (published in the journal, Lancet, December 2010) reports that compared with placebo, taking 75 mg of aspirin per day (one baby aspirin=81 mg) for 4 years or more reduced the risk of dying from a variety of common cancers.  These results were identified through a meta-analysis of 8 placebo-controlled randomized trials (comparing placebo vs. aspirin), in 25,570 patients. These studies were designed to explore the long-term effects of aspirin. They found the following risk reduction in cancer deaths: prostate cancer (10% risk reduction) lung cancer (30% risk reduction) colon, rectal, pancreatic, and stomach cancers (40% risk reduction) esophageal [...read more...]

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Getting adequate sleep may improve your ability to fight cancer

 Posted by Brian Lawenda M.D. at 5:02 pm
Nov 262010
 
Getting adequate sleep may improve your ability to fight cancer

Did you know that getting less than 6-7 hours of sleep each night has been associated with physiologic changes that lead to increased risk of stroke, diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity and stress…and possibly cancer development and progression. In fact, a new study finds that short sleep durations are associated with a significantly increased risk of pre-cancerous colon polyps (published in Cancer, in October 2010.)  Multiple factors are at thought to play a role when one is chronically sleep deprived: Increased production of inflammatory molecules (“cytokines” and “prostaglandins”) that: Stimulate angiogenesis (blood vessel formation) which can supply oxygen and nutrients to allow tumors [...read more...]

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An aspirin-a-day keeps prostate cancer away: Aspirin reduces the risk of recurrence by greater than 50%!!

 Posted by Brian Lawenda M.D. at 5:31 pm
Oct 272010
 
An aspirin-a-day keeps prostate cancer away: Aspirin reduces the risk of recurrence by greater than 50%!!

In a fascinating study (which will be presented at the October 2010, American Society for Radiation Oncology annual meeting), investigators will be presenting the results of an analysis of 5,275 patients who had been treated for prostate cancer (with either surgery or radiation therapy.) They will be reporting that among the 1,982 men who were taking an anticoagulant medication (including aspirin) after their prostate cancer treatment, their risk of dying from prostate cancer was significantly decreased; 4% risk of death at 10 years after treatment (in patients on anticoagulant medications) vs. 10% risk of death at 10 years (in patients who were [...read more...]

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A common prostate cancer therapy increases the risk of stroke, heart disease and diabetes

 Posted by Brian Lawenda M.D. at 3:55 pm
Oct 242010
 
A common prostate cancer therapy increases the risk of stroke, heart disease and diabetes

Men who have aggressive (high-risk), advanced or metastatic prostate cancer are commonly prescribed hormonal therapy drugs called, gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists that suppress the growth of prostate cancer cells by inhibiting the production of testosterone. This class of medication is very effective in slowing the growth of prostate cancer progression and in many cases, increasing survival in advanced stages of the disease. Examples of GnRH agonists include: Eligard, Lupron, Synarel, Trelstar, Vantas, Viadur, Zoladex Side effects and complications from the long term use of these medications have been well-documented (i.e. hot flashes, weight gain, fatigue, muscle mass loss, osteopenia, decreased libido, etc.) New data has concluded that [...read more...]

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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...]

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Soy consumption may reduce the risk of breast cancer recurrence

 Posted by Brian Lawenda M.D. at 9:28 pm
Oct 182010
 
Soy consumption may reduce the risk of breast cancer recurrence

A study (published in October 2010, in Canadian Medical Association Journal) reports that postmenopausal women with a prior history of estrogen receptor positive breast cancer had a significantly lower risk (33% less!!) of breast cancer recurrence when they consumed higher quantities of soy foods compared to those women who ate smaller quantities. Estrogen receptor positivity or sensitivity means that the breast cancer is stimulated by estrogen. The authors also reported that he risk of breast cancer recurrence was further reduced in the highest soy consumption patients who were also taking a commonly prescribed hormonal anti-cancer medication (Anastrazole.) In a study [...read more...]

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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...]

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It’s never too late to quit!! Smoking cessation after a lung cancer diagnosis can DOUBLE the survival rate

 Posted by Brian Lawenda M.D. at 2:11 pm
Jul 012010
 
It's never too late to quit!! Smoking cessation after a lung cancer diagnosis can DOUBLE the survival rate

Although the following paper was published already 7 months ago (January 2010, in the British Medical Journal),  and is no longer new news, I strongly feel that the information needs to be reinforced. The authors conducted a review of 10 high-quality studies that evaluated the potential influence on survival in patients with lung cancer who quit smoking after their diagnosis. Most of the studies (9 out of 10) looked only at the effects of smoking in cessation in patients with early stage lung cancers. What they found was quite remarkable: survival rates doubled among those patients who quit smoking after their [...read more...]

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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...]

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Prostate cancer may be 30% less likely to recur in men on a common cholesterol lowering medication

 Posted by Brian Lawenda M.D. at 2:18 pm
Jun 282010
 
Prostate cancer may be 30% less likely to recur in men on a common cholesterol lowering medication

In a study published in late June/early July 2010 (in the journal Cancer) investigators report that men who underwent surgery for prostate cancer and had been taking a common cholesterol lowering medication (“statins”), at the time of surgery, were overall 30% less likely to have a recurrence of their prostate cancer than men who were not taking this medication. On further analysis, the authors describe a dose response relationship in the amount of statin medications taken and the relative risk of cancer recurrence (i.e. the higher the amount of the statin, the lower risk of recurrence.) They found that in those patients [...read more...]

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Sugar, insulin, diabetes and their association with cancer development and progression

 Posted by Brian Lawenda M.D. at 11:42 am
Jun 222010
 
Sugar, insulin, diabetes and their association with cancer development and progression

In an article published, in June 2010, (in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians) the authors review the science and literature of how sugar, insulin and diabetes are associated with the development and progression of various cancers. These authors consist of a panel of experts from both the American Cancer Society and the American Diabetes Association, who convened a consensus development conference, in Decemeber 2009, to address the following 4 questions: Is there a meaningful association between diabetes and cancer incidence or prognosis? What risk factors are common to both diabetes and cancer? What are possible biologic links between diabetes and [...read more...]

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Vitamin D decreases the risk and duration of many viral infections, including the flu and colds

 Posted by Brian Lawenda M.D. at 7:10 am
Jun 182010
 
Vitamin D decreases the risk and duration of many viral infections, including the flu and colds

In a study published in June 2010 (in the journal PloS ONE), researchers report that in a group of patients that they followed (198 healthy adults, during the fall and winter 2009-2010) the one’s who had higher vitamin D (25-hydroxyvitamin D) levels (>/=38ng/ml) developed significantly fewer viral infections over the study period than those who had lower levels of vitamin D (17% versus 45%). Additionally, those with the higher levels of vitamin D also experienced significantly fewer days of illness (i.e. in those with influenza: 2 days of illness versus 6 days of illness, for those with the higher vitamin D [...read more...]

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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...]

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Social interaction (even over the phone) reduces the body’s response to stress

 Posted by Brian Lawenda M.D. at 10:44 am
May 122010
 
Social interaction (even over the phone) reduces the body's response to stress

In a study (published in May 2010, in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B.) investigators have demonstrated that social interaction (over the telephone) after a stressful event significantly decreases amount of stress hormones (cortisol) produced.  In this study, a group of 7-12 year-old girls were divided into 3 groups after being exposed to a stressful event (unanticipated speaking in front of a group of strangers and being asked to answer difficult math questions.) The first group was immediately reunited with their mothers, for 15-minutes, for comfort and support (in person.) Afterwards, they watched an emotion-neutral movie, for 60-minutes. The second group spoke to their mothers, [...read more...]

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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...]

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Progesterone increases the risk of breast cancer metastasis

 Posted by Brian Lawenda M.D. at 4:44 pm
May 062010
 
Progesterone increases the risk of breast cancer metastasis

In a study (accepted for publication in May 2006, in Menopause: The Journal of The North American Menopause Society) investigators found the the use of progesterone increased the risk of breast cancer metastases. The authors conducted this study in animals with breast cancer. They noted that progesterone’s effect was not dependent on the menopausal status of the animal nor whether the progesterone was given with or without estrogen. It appeared that progesterone stimulated the production of blood vessels to the tumors, increasing their access to the circulation and the rest of the body. (Read More Here) Millions of women, after [...read more...]

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Eat your broccoli: anti-cancer phytonutrients reduce the development and growth of breast cancer cells and tumors

 Posted by Brian Lawenda M.D. at 3:55 pm
May 042010
 
Eat your broccoli: anti-cancer phytonutrients reduce the development and growth of breast cancer cells and tumors

In a study (published in May 2010, in Clinical Cancer Research) investigators have discovered that a natural compound found in broccoli, called sulforaphane, was able to significantly decrease the number of breast cancer stem cells (the earliest cancer cells that form tumors) in cell preparation studies and in mouse studies. The authors used a highly concentrated form of this natural compound, derived from broccoli (sulforaphane), to test whether breast cancer stem cells would be able to grow and form tumors. These experiments provide further evidence that supports the anti-cancer properties of eating broccoli. (Read More Here) Sulforaphane is just one [...read more...]

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