The confusion and absolute panic I have experienced over the “alternatives” lends little to my peace of mind. There are supplements, as well as radiation or surgeries in other countries, there are off-label drugs that can be prescribed, and then there are teas and cancer trials. Honestly, if I thought licking the back of a frog everyday would cure my cancer or even keep it at bay, I ‘d do it gladly. I have gone to two different healers. One was a farmer in the countryside that rubbed buttercup leaves into my body- he was lovely, and the buttercup leaves helped my husband’s eczema for sure. So, stop laughing at me! The other ran his hands all over my body chasing energy fields, I got very hot and sweaty despite lying on a treatment bed- again please stop laughing, I was desperate and frankly I still am but these efforts didn’t work for me.
That is why I get so confused with all things other than chemo, radiation and surgery, which is what is available in Ireland. I mean if I drink the tea, eat the food, take the supplements, and some off-label drugs will that make things better for me or worse? That is the risk, and it is a horrendous tightrope to walk. This cancer lark is not for the faint of heart. Cancer patients, whatever route they choose, are the most courageous I have ever met, really.
(Image by ลิลวนันท์ วรรณพราหมณ์ from Pixabay)
# Integrative Oncology
There are a lot of complimentary therapies that are far more effective on side effects, from my own experience, than some of the drugs available. However, I have never advocated the use of any of these without the gold standard of care- Chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, or any other form of treatment recommended by your oncologist or surgeon. It has always been in tandem with standard of care, whatever that may be for you.
Acupuncture
This is the best for so many things. Personally, I used it for anxiety regulation which worked wonders for me, especially when I got every side effect possible from even the mildest of anti-anxiety medications. I suffered severe constipation that crippled me with pain, as well as suicidal thoughts to name but a few. These were enough for my oncologist to plead with me: Don’t do that, no, please Clodagh. Not after all our hard work!” According to friends of mine it also helped with insomnia (a side effect from chemo), neuropathy, restless legs, and fatigue. So, look out for Cancer Resource Centres that may provide acupuncture for free provided you are referred from your hospital, or maybe you can refer yourself, it’s well worth it and zero side effects.
Exercise
I attended a webinar with Digestive Cancers Europe (DiCE) which had an oncologist and research scientist from Copenhagen who presented us with proof that 150 mins of exercise a week, would suppress our cancer growth by up to 20%. Since then, I have come across studies from ASCO (American Oncological Organisation) as well as other reputable sites that encourage patients to exercise for the same reasons. My understanding that anything energetic that gets the blood flowing so even Yoga or Walking will do the trick. Exercise also controls fatigue from chemo, brain fog (mine at least), restless legs, and many other side effects from chemo. I generally drag myself to my Yoga/Pilates studio cursing myself in a total spin of negativity, and I end up coming home skipping in delight as my aches and pains have disappeared as well as my fatigue & brain fog.
Other wonderful integrative oncological therapies include Meditation & Breathwork, Reflexology, Reiki, Sea- swimming/ swimming, and Infra-red saunas. All of these helps reduce inflammation in the body, detox the body/mind, and ease anxiety as well as provide a nice social outlet in our brave new Cancer world.
(Us, sea swimming in Keam Bay beach, Achill Island, Ireland)
# ‘Controversial’ integrative oncological treatments
(Please run any drugs, supplements or off-label drugs by your oncologist before taking them as taking these could affect your organs or do unknown/ known damage or interfere with your therapy rendering it ineffective.)
Off-label drugs, you might ask me, “What in the heck are they?” They are drugs like the diabetes drug Metformin, Vermex, low dose Doxycyline, Atorvastatin as well as others which may or may not block certain pathways that feed the cancer uses to feed itself. One thing I do know, there have been some studies to suggest that diabetic patients on Metformin did better on chemo than patients who were not. Interesting, but it is always important to go through an oncologist to start any of these and of course do your own research. This blog post is NOT advocating the use of off-label drugs but merely mentioning their existence.
Same goes for any supplements. You may believe supplements are completely natural and you may be correct, but everything is a chemical, natural or man-made. So, check with your doctors before taking these too. It does not matter if they think you are crazy by asking about these things. Their job is to give you advice as part of patient-led care, or it should be. Even if my oncologist disagrees with my ideas, if I want to try anything I tell him, and he checks it out in terms of contraindications or potential damage.
Cannabis oil, a lot has been said about the benefits of this but unfortunately for cancer patients it may be illegal in your country. From my research, cancer colleagues tell me that the benefits are that side effects are reduced. These include anxiety, insomnia, lack of appetite in that their appetite comes back. In fact, my own hospital in Ireland has a trial on with a derivative of cannabis oil to help patients with severe weight loss eat again and it seems to be very successful.
As to its ability to kill cancer, they can prove that the oil reduces inflammation in the body which apparently cancer loves. If you think about it, it loves stress and anxiety because the body becomes inflamed and therefore patients who engage in mental well-being tactics like counselling and exercise live longer, tolerate chemo more and have a better quality of life. However, anything other than that I do not know. Again, I advocate strongly telling your oncologist &/or surgeon if you are thinking of taking this as they can survey any potential damage to your body or mind. Remember everything is a chemical!
As for teas, I have heard of Dandelion tea which I know reduces water retention but in terms of cancer care I think it may block a pathway that cancer uses to feed itself but again I am NOT completely sure, so it might be something you want to research. Essiac tea is another one I have heard patients claim they were cured by. However, on closer inspection such patients were in the early stages (1,2 or early 3) and continued with standard of care (Thank Goodness in my opinion). Again, it may be something for you to investigate better than I. Cancer, for my part, has been overwhelming and there is honestly only so much I can research and absorb.
(Image by congerdesign from Pixabay)
# Cancer Trials
When all else fails, there are cancer trials. In one sense, America is probably one of the worst places to get a long-term illness like cancer because of the way the health system is set up with private healthcare and having to deal with insurers paying or not for the various treatments mentioned above. In my own country, I get all of the approved treatments free including counselling, psychiatry, reflexology, acupuncture, yoga & pilates, help in my home, and fatigue management courses. However, the US is the centre for cancer trials globally, you guys have the cream of the crop to choose from. In Ireland only 1% of cancer patients are on trials despite having a mere 6% capacity. Again, do your research, find out what the DNA of your cancer is via genomic testing (like Foundation 1 or DATAR EXACTA among others). If you are in the EU or elsewhere with public healthcare, find out if your government covers the cost of this test- they may do or partially cover it.
Good luck with your journey. If you can tell me what you have researched or discovered. It could help others which is why I am writing this blog. Personally, one of the hardest things about cancer is not having any control over what happens inside your own body. Not even the best oncologist can control how you will react to treatment or how your cancer will respond specifically. So, in a sense even if taking a supplement or a tea or whatever makes you feel like you have some kind of control even if it is for a short period of time, is that not something?
Whatever a patient decides to do, please respect it especially if you do not agree with it. That part can be so hard, I know, I have been there many times. But, even an oncologist will follow the lead of their patient. It can be overwhelming and frankly too much when we get bombarded with leads on cures, from the potentially sound to the ridiculous and they are generally expensive. That’s why I love exercise, it does so much good, and it is potentially free depending on how you go about it. So please build up to that 150 minutes a week if you can. Ask your physiotherapist in your cancer centre if you need to get advice on how to start. It is never too late. ❤️