More than Chemo and Radiation : Comprehensive Cancer Treatments
Far too often cancer treatment discussions are left reserved for cancer patients and their families only. These discussions only seem to happen during one of the most emotional experiences a family can endure. Sadly, the scenario that plays out is that the family decides to trust in the advice given by the oncologist as the mental load seems too large and all they want in that moment is remission. However, when the patient begins to have decreased quality of life during traditional only treatment and declines rapidly this is the moment where patients and families begin to search for other treatment options. This was the case for my family personally, and the research I know now I wish I had known 4 years ago at the start of my father’s cancer diagnosis. My dad is one of the inspirations behind this business and it feels appropriate to begin sharing the information we have learned through his experience.
In no capacity is the goal of this journal to imply that alternative treatments are better at treating cancer, that traditional cancer treatment does not have a role (and proven outcomes), or that traditional treatment alone is a ‘wrong’ choice. The goal is simply to give more information than what is typically given and much like other topics we want to start discussions. In addition, I hope this journal gives you a desire to start digging through research for yourself. The scary reality is that 50% of the population will receive a cancer diagnosis at some point in their lifetime. Therefore, learning more about cancer treatment could give you the tools to help people you care about in the future. Cancer is an intricate and personal disease that deserves the same amount of specificity when treating and not a one size fits all approach to healthcare.
Making Your Body an Environment that is Difficult to Grow In
Cancer is a chronic illness. It impacts multiple organs and while chemotherapy and radiation target cancer cells they often destroy healthy cells as well and increase the toxicity burden on the body which has been linked to reoccurrence. Much like other chronic illnesses, there are environments within the body that make cancer growth either more or less difficult. To better understand this it is important to look at how cancer grows. Typically very aggressive solid tumors have an acidic pH and these tumors are most associated with multiple organ metasis. The increased acidity of tumor tissue is due to: A. Increased production of lactate due to the increased anaerobic glycolytic pathway used by cancer cells (Warburg effect). B. Hypoxia due to low O2 concentration due to hypoperfusion . Ultimately what this means is that these solid tumors thrive in a high acid environment and this environment is directly related to growth, spread, and treatment resistance. All of these can lead to excess traditional treatment required for patients, higher toxic burden, more complex side effects of chemotherapy…. and the cycle continues. However, there are preclinical studies that demonstrate an alkaline diet as well as alkaline drugs like aluminum hydroxide can help to make the bodily environment more alkaline in pH. This can come alongside any other treatments to help slow growth. While there are disputes within the oncology community about how effective this is there are no documented harms to this method and have shown no risk to any patient. In essence, what can it hurt?
Another important factor in cancer growth is the role that oxygen plays. The British Journal of Radiology explains that within tumors the aggressive growth of the cells lead to the development of disorganized blood vessel networks that are structurally and functionally different from normal vasculature. This creates a disorganized labyrinth to navigate within the body which requires more energy expenditure. Functionally, the ability of the tumor vasculature to deliver nutrients and remove waste products is severely diminished. Because of this, areas that are not well oxygenated are associated with increased treatment resistance and increased rate of growth of the tumor. So what does this mean? Highly oxygenated cells and body can deliver nutrients better to the body and come alongside treatments to help support the body in the healing process. One treatment that helps to accomplish this is hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO). This treatment actually helps to increase the oxygen in the blood’s plasma. HBO reduces swelling, pain, and pressure (reduction of inflammation is essential) at the site of the cancer as well. These treatments are painless and to date have not documented negative effects on cancer patients. Once again, what can it hurt?
Detoxing During Cancer Treatment
It is no surprise that chemotherapy increases toxicity within the body and this has negative impacts on patients during and after treatment. Helping to assist the body to rid itself of unnecessary or unabsorbed chemo elements can increase quality of life for the patient as well as protect other vital organs from unnecessary strain. Maintaining the health of the gut and the liver throughout treatment is incredibly important for long term quality of life. Consequently, these are the two organs that take on the most secondary damage while a patient is undergoing chemotherapy. One herb that is mainly being used to assist recovery after chemotherapy, for liver protection during chemotherapy and to alleviate any long-term effects of cancer treatment is Milk Thistle. Milk Thistle can help to keep liver enzymes stable even when undergoing cancer treatment therefore improving the body’s natural ability to detox and prevent side effects. When this treatment is administered by an overseeing physician it can be intravenous (IV) at much higher doses but it can also be oral as well.
The gut- body connection is always important, but never more so than when the gut is supporting a cancer patient. The health of the gut contributes to bodily inflammation, chemo brain, hormone regulation, and overall quality of life. In addition, the connection between the liver and the gut is something that we are only just now beginning to understand in overall health and healing within the body. Probiotics and prebiotics can help to keep the gut lining intact while undergoing cancer treatment. In addition, some people may benefit from adding glutathione as well for additional support. If the gut is unhealthy, this prevents the body from ridding excess or unwanted toxins leaving them to build up the internal toxicity level of the patient.
All of this is to discuss ways to better support cancer patients during their treatment (whatever they may decide is most appropriate). The more that holistic oncologists that study these subjects the research is continuing to ever increase on potential ways to support the body, lower inflammation, support vital organs, and improve quality of life. In addition, these therapies do not have the side effects that are linked to pharmaceutical interventions that are typically given to eliminate symptoms. The more knowledge we have the better we can approach these unimaginably difficult decisions. The information above barely begins to scratch the surface of what is available to help support patients. I highly encourage you to read Dr. Erin Connealy’s research as she is the Medical Director of Cancer Center for Healing and Center for New Medicine. Her holistic research and integrated approaches are fascinating and cutting edge https://www.connealymd.com/about/ .
Research Links
https://academic.oup.com/bjr/article-abstract/92/1093/20170955/7449443?redirectedFrom=fulltext
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0163725815001217
https://chirofind.com/mpacms/at/article.php?id=32313&MERCURYSID=b1fb14e24d3ca195cc48d58db1ca7c83