Acupuncture

We serve as part of an integrated cancer treatment strategy to strengthen the body and reduce side effects of chemotherapy, radiation and invasive procedures. Studies show that acupuncture helps with the following side effects:


• Nausea and vomiting
• Dyspnea (shortness of breath}
• Immune system suppression e.g. herpes zoster, shingles/li>
• Fatigue
• Insomnia
• Diarrhea / constipation
• Poor appetite
• Pain
• Emotional distress

Acupuncture Treatment Protocols

The frequency of treatments depends on the severity of symptoms. For severe nausea and anorexia from chemotherapy, treatments daily are performed when symptoms are most severe. If a patient has symptoms for which they cannot take medication, treatment two or more times a week is beneficial. Others with less severe symptoms are usually seen once or twice a week.

Complications from acupuncture are extremely rare. Many who receive acupuncture report pleasant side effects such as improved sleep, and a pleasant feeling of relaxation and calm.

Herbal medicine /Supplements

During chemotherapy some herbs and supplements can be helpful to diminish side effects. Chemotherapeutic agents are known to generate oxygen free radicals that induce extensive tissue damage. Studies have shown certain nutrients are of vital importance to facilitate metabolic pathways and maximize nutrient absorption while improving the efficacy of chemotherapy. During chemo and radiation therapies, antioxidants are important... as is; which combinations, dosages, frequency and interaction manner with the current drug therapy. We review your specific case and discussed it with you... and your family and physician if you prefer.

Prevention - Staying Cancer Free

After treatment it's important to optimize health so that the body is less susceptible for cancer return. For this we review blood chemistries to determine the best interventions to reduce proliferation or recurrence.

Some of the functional balances that we observe are as: High circulating insulin levels cause tremendous oxidative stress, which can lead to chromosomal instability. Essential fatty acid balance (Omega 6:3 ratio) when correct... reduces inflammation and the cell signaling that causes angiogenesis. High levels of dietary copper, for instance, have been found to promote angiogenesis>

Body Fat Levels Closely Associated With Cancer Risk 03 Nov 2007 --- 13:00 PDT

If you weigh nearer the lighter end of your ideal weight range your risk of developing cancer is lower than if you weighed more, according to a new report published by the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF). According to the WCRF, it is the most comprehensive report ever published which links weight, diet, physical activity and cancer risk.

The researchers searched through the databases of nine academic institutions worldwide, found half a million studies that took place since the 1960s, and selected the 7,000 most relevant ones.

The report, which included contributions from 21 of the world's most renowned scientists, includes 10 key recommendations. The WCRF says that the report contains the most authoritative advice that has ever been available - advice aimed at helping people reduce their risks of developing cancer. The World Health Organization and UNICEF were among the official observers while the report was underway.

Keep Your Weight Down

One of the key recommendations is to keep your Body Mass Index (BMI) to within the 20-25 range if you want to minimize your cancer risk. The higher your levels of body fat the higher your chances are of developing cancers, especially colorectal cancer, post-menopausal breast cancer, and four others. Panel Chair, Prof Sir Michael Marmot, said "We are recommending that people aim to be as lean as possible within the healthy range, and that they avoid weight gain throughout adulthood. This might sound difficult, but this is what the science is telling us more clearly than ever before. The fact is that putting on weight can increase your cancer risk, even if you are still within the healthy range. So the best advice for cancer prevention is to avoid weight gain, and if you are already overweight then you should aim to lose weight."

Please cite the Report as follows:
World Cancer Research Fund / American Institute for Cancer Research.
Food, Nutrition, Physical Activity, and the Prevention of Cancer: a Global Perspective.
Washington DC: AICR, 2007