Alternative Cancer Care


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Parabens are  cancer causing chemical preservatives found in almost ALL cosmetics and body care products and many  drugs.  A comprehensive study of women with breast cancer published in the January 2012 issue of the Journal of Applied Technology found parabens in 99% of  breast tumors studied. This evidence clearly links these toxic chemicals to women’s cancers.

Researchers from the University of Reading in the United Kingdom, found that almost all, ninety nine percent, of the tissue samples collected from women participating in the study contained at least one paraben, and 60 percent of the samples contained at least five parabens.

Parabens are estrogen-mimetics or chemicals that can act like estrogens in the body. They are commonly found in make up, shampoo, lotion, shaving cream, toothpaste, mouthwash as well as some processed foods and in many over the counter and prescription drugs, just about all personal care products. They are used to inhibit the growth of bacteria and increase shelf life.

What should you do to keep yourself and your family safe? [click to continue…]

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Suffering from Cancer Related Fatigue? Chemo Brain? Decrease  your Cancer Fatigue by taking control of inflammation. High inflammation equals promotion of  Cancer Fatigue, cancer growth and cancer recurrence.  Research shows that many herbal medicines can lower pro-inflammatory factors fueling this common side effect of hormone therapy. Below are six herbs that may transform exhaustion into vitality.

One of many reasons we “feel sick” and experience fatigue is due to elevated levels of  pro-inflammatory factors. By lowering the levels of these damaging factors we can transform fatigue into well being, enhance vitality and quality of life and mitigate inflammation related pain.

Inflammation is a fact of cancer and contributes to one of the most common complaints of cancer patients and cancer survivors, Cancer Related Fatigue,  a distressing  and persistent  sense of physical and emotional tiredness as well as reduced mental clarity and alertness. Cancer survivors complain of inability to focus and concentrate, poor memory, inability to think clearly as well as sadness and depression, symptoms of Chemo Brain

Cancer Fatigue is a common side effect experienced by breast cancer patients undergoing hormone therapy.

Studies have shown that Cancer Fatigue is linked to increased levels of two inflammatory molecules produced by our cells: Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha (TNFa) and Interleukin 6 (IL-6).   Increased inflammation contributes to a sense of malaise, lethargy, muscle tenderness and evenLowering TNFa  and IL-6 also have been shown to decrease depression and lethargy.  Here are six potent herbal medicines, supported by research which demonstrates a decrease these pro-inflammatory factors. You can reduce fatigue, lower disease progression and have less anxiety about recurrence.

SIX HERBAL MEDICINES  and FIVE SPICES FOR RELIEF OF CANCER FATIGUE and INFLAMMATION

Research shows that the following herbs and spices lower TNFa and IL6 and can improve normal inflammatory function and  relieve symptoms associated with Cancer Related Fatigue. [click to continue…]

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A new patient, after her first visit. The visit was a gift from a friend who decided not to send flowers, but to give her the opportunity to open and flower  herself in the midst of great challenge……..

Finally, someone who is looking at the whole and long term picture; not just deploying nuclear bombs in my body and waiting to see the results. Now I feel like I can be pro-active in my battle and not just a vessel for harmful but necessary chemicals. … Her encouragement to use this illness to create life changing habits was empowering and the comfort of knowing that she be in my corner for a long time to come is a huge emotional boost.  I cannot thank you enough for your all knowing  kindness. With extreme gratitude for giving a life changing gift. I am not sure where to begin to thank you.  My meeting with Dr. Chilkov was the most needed of medicines.  J.C.

At the end of a long day…this makes it all worth it!

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Old Chinese medical chart on acupuncture meridians

Cancer treatment with chemotherapy results in many unwanted side effects.  Acupuncture is a powerful therapy for managing chemotherapy side effects. One of the most common chemotherapy side effects is suppression of the bone marrow which is where life giving and vital immune blood cells are produced.  When levels of white blood cells drop, natural immunity is compromised and the result is increased risk of infections. In numerous studies acupuncture has been shown to effectively and rapidly increase levels of white blood cells, thus boosting immunity and reducing risk of infections.

Acupuncture treatment results in normal and highly functional infection fighting white blood cells.  Acupuncture treatment is a very effective way to insure robust resistance to infections.

 

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Ganoderma lucidum - Ganodermataceae; Deutsch: ...

Ganoderma

Up to seven times as many cancer patients survive and live more years when conventional treatment is combined with and followed by long term use of Herbal Medicine and Vitamins.

Lung Cancer Patients who use Herbal Medicine and Vitamins long term along with conventional cancer treatment have longer and higher survival rates. Cancer patients who use Herbal Medicine and Vitamins, along withe conventional and alternative cancer treatments do better, live longer, enjoy healthier lives, recover from cancer treatment and chemotherapy side effects more quickly.

As 48% of all cancer patients currently use some form of alternative medicine during their cancer treatment, we are now seeing more studies supporting the value of combining alternative medicine with cancer treatment in an Integrative Cancer Care Collaborative Team Approach.

A recently published study conducted over ten years in the Journal of Integrative Cancer Therapies: “Lung Cancer Survival with Herbal Medicine in a Whole Systems Approach, Ten Year Follow-up” demonstrates clearly that there is a significant survival benefit when patients combine conventional oncology: surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy with targeted Herbal Medicine and Vitamin protocols. [click to continue…]

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Want to fight colds, flu, infections and cancer?  Research shows that Vitamin D Activates Your Immune System.

Leukemia treatment - immune system T-cells (ce...

Image by Microbe World via Flickr

Vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol)  allows our immune natural killer cells to be able to fight off serious infections as well as cancer. Multiple studies show that Vitamin D is crucial to activating our immune defenses. Without adequate levels of Vitamin we will not be able to activate the killer cells in our immune system.  The Canadian Government Health system recommends Vitamin D supplementation during cold and flu system to boost resistance to infections.

Vitamin D is produced as a natural byproduct of the skin’s exposure to sunlight.  However most of us do not get enough sun exposure to produce sufficient levels of Vitamin D to keep the immune system activated. Sources of Vitamin D include  fish liver oil (cod liver oil), eggs and fatty fish such as salmon, herring and mackerel or taken as a dietary supplement as Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol). No definitive studies have been carried out for the optimal daily dosage of vitamin D but as a large proportion of the population have very low concentrations of vitamin D in the blood. Many studies suggest that optimal blood levels of Vitamin D3 are between 55-80 ng/ml.  This usually requires oral supplementation in most people. Discuss the appropriate dose with your health care provider.

Vitamin D and Infections: [click to continue…]

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Chemo Brain is not “all in your mind” It’s real.  New Research confirms that the brain is permanently damaged by chemotherapy.  After breast cancer treatment women experience many side effects including ongoing  problems with attention, decision making, problem solving and memory.  Older women and women who do not exercise regularly and are less fit suffer the most.

Nutrients that offer protection to the delicate nerve cells in the brain include Omega 3 fatty acids, Acetyl-L Carnitine, CoQ10, Phosphatidyl Serine, Phosphatidyl Choline and the botanicals Gingko biloba, Bacopa and Gotu Kola.  Additionally herbs with high  levels of anti-oxidants and polyphenols such as Schizandra, Lycium (GoJi Berry) and plant isolates such as Resveratrol  and Curcumin are also protective to the brain exposed to toxic chemotherapy drugs. [click to continue…]

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Acupuncture can prevent radiation-induced chronic dry mouth, study finds

When given alongside radiation therapy for head and neck cancer, acupuncture has shown for the first time to reduce the debilitating side effect of xerostomia (dry mouth), according to new research from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center. [click to continue…]

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Are you setting the stage for Breast Cancer by getting too little or poor quality sleep?  If not, you are not getting your nightly dose of melatonin. Breast Cancer is linked to the hormone melatonin which regulates our sleep-wake cycle. Fluctuations in normal nighttime production of melatonin may be a predictor of whether or not we might develop breast cancer.

Melatonin is normally produced at night and makes us feel sleepy.  Women who work night shifts, frequently change time zones, have insomnia, sleep in a room that is not dark, or just don’t get a good eight hours of sleep are not getting much exposure to melatonin.   Research shows that melatonin can slow down breast cancer growth by as much as 70%.  Melatonin supports anti-oxidant function in cells. Oxidative stress is a major contributor to cell  changes and DNA damage that can lead to cancer.

Getting enough sleep also allows your immune system to increase the production of Natural Killer cells which specialize in destroying both cancer cells and viral infections. Adequate sleep is a contributor to normal immune function and crucial to cancer control.

Five Tips for Getting a Good Night’s Sleep: [click to continue…]

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Chemotherapy Side Effects: Relief From Nerve Pain

Relief from nerve pain. Here are 8 tips for managing pain and supporting the healing and repair of nerves damaged by chemotherapy using natural medicine.

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