Why 80 Percent of Cancer Patients Use Integrative Medicine

Approximately 83 percent of people with cancer use at least one complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) modality (11).

Using my experience as a health and wellness expert, I have compiled a list of what cancer patients say about the choices they make regarding cancer treatment:

To be proactive, to take control, to  take charge of decisions that affect my care, my health, my experience, my results and outcomes.

To participate in my own care and my own decisions rather than giving power to make all decisions away to my care providers.

To feel a sense of empowerment rather than be disenfranchised and disempowered.

To decrease and manage my fear, stress and anxiety and to support, increase and improve my peace of mind.

To ask my care providers to work with me as a team and to show respect for my values, my feelings and my choices in all decisions.

I choose to reject an approach based solely on a 'war on cancer' that only targets my cancer tumor cells and neglects the whole person and the environment.

I choose a comprehensive care approach using a wide range of therapies, tools and resources from many traditions and many points of view.

I choose individualized and targeted care which views me and my cancer as unique and in which decisions and choices are based on a careful analysis of the traits and characteristics of my cancer cells and my unique physiology, genetics and risk factors rather than a generic one size fits all approach.

I choose humane, caring and compassionate whole person patient centered care for my body, mind and spirit.

I choose safe and non toxic therapies whenever possible.

To actively manage and reduce both short term and long term toxic side effects from conventional cancer treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, hormones and other drugs used by oncologists, radiologists and surgeons.

To manage and reduce my pain with safe and non-toxic therapies.

To enhance and improve  the therapeutic benefit and effect of my treatments.

To enhance and improve my survival.

To use therapies that prevent further cancers and recurrences or that may increase and extend my disease free time to recurrence.

To enhance and improve the quality of my life during and after cancer treatment.

To support and strengthen my sense of well-being.

To feel a sense of hope over hopelessness and despair.

To include a plan and a goal for health and wellness in my cancer journey.

To clearly recognize that absence of disease is not the same as rebuilding, nourishing and sustaining health and healthy function.

To protect, support and stimulate all systems including my immune system, digestive system, heart, liver, kidneys, brain, skin and bone marrow affected by my treatments.

To protect my cells, tissues and organs from damage during my treatment.

To grow and develop effective coping strategies for myself.

To address the continuous small and large traumatic experiences that cancer patients undergo as part of every stage of my cancer journey.

To develop and cultivate positive, supportive healing relationships with my care providers, my team.

To utilize integrative cancer care and alternative treatments when the conventional oncology treatment offered to me is perceived as worse than the disease itself.

To utilize integrative cancer care when there are no conventional oncology treatments that offer me a therapeutic benefit.

To utilize integrative oncology care when the known risks of conventional oncology treatments are greater than the known benefits of those treatments.

To utilize integrative cancer and alternatives to conventional care and to use integrative cancer care without conventional oncology treatments when there are no effective  conventional cancer treatments recommended or available to me.

To meet the diagnosis and experience of cancer as an opportunity to find meaning, to grow, to develop and to transform emotionally, psychologically and spiritually.

I have fundamental confidence in the value and benefits of integrative cancer treatments that address the whole person and have my health, recovery, survival, quality of life and peace of mind (not just absence of disease) as both a short term and a long term goal.

Choosing an integrative cancer care approach makes a significant difference for each unique individual cancer patient.  In this model, the patient is a fully empowered participant in making decisions and choices related to their cancer treatment, cancer recovery and cancer survivorship in concert with  their team of care providers.  

This is the goal of evidence based, compassionate person centered health care:  combining the best of science and nature, modern knowledge and ancient healing wisdom, in order to transform disease, restore healthy function, wholeness and quality of life to each unique individual patient.  

Rather than a model focused primarily on disease management, this is a model which also includes health, healing and the whole person as well as the internal and external environments of each unique individual to form a matrix in which the continuum of health and disease can be more fully met and understood.  

When a health care model includes not only disease management, but also restored health and function, different choices are made by both patients and care providers.

Even if the disease is not eradicated and recovery is not possible, healing and wholeness may still unfold. Even in terminal illness, when compassionate care becomes the primary care, the patient can achieve integration of the experience and a capacity to face the end of life and make peace with what is so.

You may also like : Healthy Medicine: A New Model of Cancer Care

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References

1. Block KI, Gyllenhaal C, Tripathy D, Freels S, Mead MN, Block PB, Steinmann WC, Newman RA, Shoham J. Survival Impact of Integrative Cancer Care in Advanced Metastatic Breast Cancer. Breast J. 2009 May 12. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 19470134

2. Frattaroli J, Weidner G, Dnistrian AM, Kemp C, Daubenmier JJ, Marlin RO, Crutchfield L, Yglecias L, Carroll PR, Ornish D. Clinical events in prostate cancer lifestyle trial: results from two years of follow-up. Urology. 2008 Dec;72(6):1319-23. Epub 2008 Jul 7. PubMed PMID: 18602144.

3. Molassiotis A, Fernadez-Ortega P, Pud D, Ozden G, Scott JA, Panteli V, Margulies A, Browall M, Magri M, Selvekerova S, Madsen E, Milovics L, Bruyns I, Gudmundsdottir G, Hummerston S, Ahmad AM, Platin N, Kearney N, Patiraki E. Use of complementary and alternative medicine in cancer patients: a European survey. Ann Oncol. 2005 Apr;16(4):655-63. Epub 2005 Feb 2. PubMed PMID: 15699021.

4. Mulkins AL, Verhoef MJ. Supporting the transformative process: experiences of cancer patients receiving integrative care. Integr Cancer Ther. 2004 Sep;3(3):230-7. PubMed PMID: 15312264. 5. Nahleh Z, Tabbara IA. Complementary and alternative medicine in breast cancer patients. Palliat

5. Support Care. 2003 Sep;1(3):267-73. Review. PubMed PMID: 16594427.Support Care. 2003 Sep;1(3):267-73. Review. PubMed PMID: 16594427. 6. Ornish D, Lin J, Daubenmier J, Weidner G, Epel E, Kemp C, Magbanua MJ, Marlin R, Yglecias L,

6. Carroll PR, Blackburn EH. Increased telomerase activity and comprehensive lifestyle changes: a pilot study. Lancet Oncol. 2008 Nov;9(11):1048-57. Epub 2008 Sep 15. Erratum in: Lancet Oncol. 2008 Dec;9(12):1124. PubMed PMID: 18799354.

7. Ornish, D., M. J. Magbanua, G. Weidner, V. Weinberg, C. Kemp, C. Green, M.D. Mattie, R. Marlin, J. Simko, K. Shinohara, C. M. Haqq, and P. R. Carroll. 2008a. Changes in prostate gene expression in men undergoing an intensive nutrition and lifestyle intervention. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 105 (24):8369-74.

8. Pud D, Kaner E, Morag A, Ben-Ami S, Yaffe A. Use of complementary and alternative medicine among cancer patients in Israel. Eur J Oncol Nurs. 2005 Jun;9(2):124-30. PubMed PMID: 15944105.

9. Verhoef MJ, Balneaves LG, Boon HS, Vroegindewey A. Reasons for and characteristics associated with complementary and alternative medicine use among adult cancer patients: a systematic review. Integr Cancer Ther. 2005 Dec;4(4):274-86. Review. PubMed PMID: 16282504.

10. Verhoef MJ, Mulkins A, Boon H. Integrative health care: how can we determine whether patients benefit? J Altern Complement Med. 2005;11 Suppl 1:S57-65. PubMed PMID: 16332188.

11. Richardson MA, Mâsse LC, Nanny K, Sanders C. Discrepant views of oncologists and cancer patients on complementary/alternative medicine. Support Care Cancer. 2004 Nov;12(11):797-804.
PMID: 15378417

12. Ruth E. Patterson, Marian L. Neuhouser, Monique M. Hedderson, Stephen M. Schwartz, Leanna J. Standish, Deborah J. Bowen, Lynn M. Marshall. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. August 2002, 8(4): 477-485. doi:10.1089/107555302760253676.

 

 

 

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Comments

[Karl Pillemer]

09:44 PM on 04/11/2011

Many patients feel powerless to make informed decisions about how to evaluate alternative and complementary medicine, and find it hard to work with their physicians. Actually, however, there are a number of sources for scientific, evidence-based reviews that evaluate a wide range of integrative and alternative practices. There is a very informative post on Cornell University's "Evidence-Based Living" blog that gives five steps for evaluating the kinds of treatments discussed by Dr. Chilkov. It's worth a look: http://evidencebasedliving.human.cornell.edu/2011/04/alternative-medicine-how-to-figure-out-what-works-and-what-doesnt-2/

[Jeannine Walston]

06:55 PM on 04/05/2011

Also learn about reasons for using integrative cancer care with very similar information and scientific references authored by EmbodiWorks, a non-profit organization, at http://www.embodiworks.org/integrative-cancer-care/reasonswhy-integrativemedicine/. Additional information about whole person health and healing to reduce cancer risk, improve cancer-related survival, and quality of life are provided through their educational website with integrative cancer care resources at http://www.embodiworks.org/.

[Susan Patten]

09:39 AM on 03/24/2011

It's a shame that some may have to have cancer before they try alternative, less invasive strategies. Who wouldn't want individualized, comprehensive, humane care, with no side effects except an increase sense of ease, positivity and support for the immune system, and the potential to aid and transform individual development?

[Alfheim]

07:15 PM on 04/08/2011

Sounds like the perfect placebo!

[AJGenglerLAc]

08:32 PM on 03/23/2011

Actually, it's important to consider all angles when it comes to our health. Very few people who refuse chemo or radiation beat Cancer, so I would never recommend doing so. However, everyone that improves their diet, exercises more regularly, quits abusive habits such as smoking, drinking alcohol and drug use will have a much higher chance of recovery--or at least a higher quality of life, but only in conjunction with appropriate Cancer care. As for the science and/or medical studies, I would say that experience and positive results are worth more. We have to be willing to be more discerning about our own lives, lifestyles and responsibility towards the state of OUR health--and the sooner the better. Why would anyone wait until they have Cancer to address the obvious?

[C Karen Stopford]

11:02 AM on 03/24/2011

Maybe because if they don't know it's broken, they won't be looking to fix it? Many people go to their "regular" docs only when they're dealing with an injury or illness; much more so for acupuncturists, naturopaths, herbalists, etc. However, word of mouth can be a wonderful thing and once the sick person is helped to feel more whole and well, they are likely to tell their friends who may come in "for the experience."

[AJGenglerLAc]

01:59 PM on 03/24/2011

Yes, and that is why articles like this are great--to educate larger numbers of people on things we are not considering until we are very sick. My point is that it's not just people with terminal illnesses that need to address how we are living and take action to make positive changes, it's all of us and the time is now.

[cable1977]

07:01 PM on 03/23/2011

Patients may believe a great many things and think that treatments are working for them. Unfortunately, science and medicine are not democracies and reality doesn't simply conform to what we want to believe.

If it did, then bloodletting should be one of the most effective treatment measures as many people used to believe it was efficacious. Same with sacrificing animals to Ceres to ensure good harvests or to Poseidon to ensure a good fishing expedition. Both of those assumptions are based on the illogical fallacy of popularity. Something isn't true simply because a lot of people believe in it.

If an "alternative" treatment can be shown to work, then it is no longer "alternative". It is another logical fallacy to suggest that the only mechanisms in the arsenal of doctors are chemotherapy and radiation.

I'd prefer actual evidence and science to ambiguous sounding phrases any day.

[AJW1976]

01:44 AM on 03/24/2011

The truly enlightened know that the only god worthy of sacrifice is Dionysus.

[cable1977]

07:56 AM on 03/24/2011

That's only if you're looking to party. Some people do like to eat too ;-)

[bresponsible]

05:37 PM on 03/23/2011

It is sad that many physicians are taught about treating cancer with chemo and radiation only when they are in school. Even if there are other possibilities out there few are seriously entertained or considered.

[palindrom]

10:49 PM on 03/23/2011

Well, there's always surgery, too.

[Chuck Bluestein]

05:01 PM on 03/23/2011

If the only medicine that is used is alternative then it is called alternative medicine. If alternative medicine is used with conventional medicine then it is called complimentary medicine. Source-- the 27th NIH-- NCCAM (National Center for Complimentary and Alternative Medicine). But I do not know if using vitamin D for cancer is alternative medicine or not. Can anyone tell me?

Vitamin D (the sunlight vitamin) is being used to prevent and treat cancer. Even Dr Oz has a video clip telling how effective vitamin D is against breast, colon and uterine cancer. On November 30, 2010 the Institute of Medicine tripled the RDA of vitamin D. Time Magazine listed vitamin D as one of the top 10 medical breakthroughs of 2007. http://bit.ly/can-cer Dr Holick, professor of medicine at Boston Medical School treats humans and zoo animals with cancer with vitamin D. Moore Cancer Center is considering that maybe cancer is a vitamin D deficiency.

[StThomas]

06:25 PM on 03/23/2011

"But I do not know if using vitamin D for cancer is alternativ­e medicine or not. Can anyone tell me?"
If someone has proved that vitamin D works observably and repeatedly to improve outcomes in cancer then it's medicine, otherwise it isn't

"What do you call alternative medicine that works? Medicine"

[AJW1976]

01:46 AM on 03/24/2011

It is called "alternative" when it is not efficacious. Efficacious "alternatives" are called medicine.

[Pearlswan]

04:42 PM on 03/23/2011

"When a health care model includes not only disease management, but also restored health and function, different choices are made by both patients and care providers."

So true. Medicine needs to treat the whole person, not just the disease, for best results. Here's hoping this idea can penetrate to the roots of our medical system in America.

[drvittoriarepetto]

04:12 PM on 03/23/2011

A number of hospitals are incorporating integrative medicine like Sloan-Kettering http://www.mskcc.org/mskcc/html/1979.cfm

[Alfheim]

03:53 PM on 04/25/2011

It's popular... It must be good ?????

[palindrom]

03:20 PM on 03/23/2011

"Safe and non-toxic therapies". Did anyone mention "effective"?

[AJW1976]

01:49 AM on 03/24/2011

I think you mean "efficacious". Placebos are effective but not efficacious. Effective simply means that there is a correlation between the treatment and the outcome. Efficacious means that there is a causal connection between the two.

[squat6971]

03:15 PM on 03/23/2011

Show me the science!

[Vanessa Ingraham]

04:29 PM on 03/23/2011

For what? Integrative medicine in general? Are you looking for proof regarding specific natural chemotherapeutics ? or for adjunct treatments improving quality of life? just curious. Its a big topic- some natural therapies have been extensively researched, while some have absolutely no credibility (or are purely anecdotal).

Most of the article is about WHY people choose integrative treatments. It's difficult to provide specific research on a cancer patients personal choice ie. To ask my care providers to work with me as a team and to show respect for my values, my feelings and my choices in all decisions.

In addition the article never stated that people's reasons for opting to use natural therapies was verified, simply what their personal reason for choosing to do so was, and yup, i do believe everyone has a choice in regards to their treatment; natural, conventional or a blend of both.

[David4FreePress]

10:40 AM on 03/24/2011

Thank you for the assistance.

[David4FreePress]

05:29 PM on 03/23/2011

12 references aren't good enough for you?
Do you work for a drug company?

[Boston Doc]

06:11 PM on 03/23/2011

No, it's not.

Show me a clinical trial with good controls that shows that patients who choose to decline the standard-of-care treatment and choose 'integrative' or 'alternative' medicine have better outcomes.

I'm not dissing 'integrative' and 'alternative' medicine. Maybe there is benefit, maybe not. However, AT THE MOMENT there is no evidence that it is better that the commonly accepted standard of care.

It MAY be a useful complement, but even for that, the evidence is thin.

[Dyson]

08:01 PM on 03/23/2011

Working for a drug company would be more life-affirming and life enhancing than making money from cancer patients by hitting small plastic dolls with a hammer.

[onionboy]

03:10 PM on 03/23/2011

I would dispute that many if any of these are evidence-based. But when it comes to cancer...whatever gets you through the night. It a painful and frightening time, and if a soy yogurt colonic is what it takes to help you deal with the fear and anxiety, I say go for it so long as you don't let alternative therapies replace evidence-based medicinal therapies

[StThomas]

02:48 PM on 03/23/2011

There is money to be made by people with no conscience.

[David4FreePress]

05:17 PM on 03/23/2011

Hi StThomas,
Since when do doctors with financial interests in drug companies a conscience?

[David4FreePress]

06:11 PM on 03/23/2011

St Thomas,
"I am here to mock alt med, not to praise drug companies!"

Why?

[StThomas]

06:22 PM on 03/23/2011

It's an alt med thread. Why did you bring drug companies into the discussion?

[jetle25]

03:23 PM on 03/23/2011

I think you'd be desperate too if the cancer you have is not going to remittance while you get bombarded with Chemo and drugs that destroy your already taxed immune system. These aren't quacks in the so called "alternative" medicine. This stuff has been around for ages. THough I'm sure there are some. I think there are quacks in the western medicine realm Especially Big Phara companies that create new diseases and drugs to make millions of dollars. Cancer rates have rose its the truth. I don't see Western Medicine solving anything with how to treat Cancer effectively. Eastern medicine in its entirety has always been about Holistic Approach to health. Not just narrow minded attacking of the disease without taking into account the whole body. I'm sure many people have little trust in Insurance companies, Doctors, and Drug Companies since there has been so much information out there stating how corrupt it is.

[AJW1976]

02:16 AM on 03/24/2011

"This stuff has been around for ages." = Fallacious appeal to tradition

"Big Phara companies that create new diseases and drugs" = Conspiracy theory (normally barred by the HP Guidelines but anyways...)

"Cancer rates have rose its the truth." Much of the increase in cancer rates is because people are living longer as a result of conventional medicine. Cancers result from coding errors. Longer lives mean more cell divisions and more opportunities for coding errors.

"Eastern medicine in its entirety has always been about Holistic Approach to health. Not just narrow minded attacking of the disease without taking into account the whole body." Different does not necessarily mean more efficacious. Sometimes a narrow approach is require other times a broader approach is required.

"I'm sure many people have little trust in Insurance companies, Doctors, and Drug Companies since there has been so much informatio­n out there stating how corrupt it is."

This statement does not bolster alternative medicines at all and actually undermines your argument. Insurers hate paying out claims. If alternative treatments were as efficacious as claimed insurers would be throwing money at practitioners of alternative medicine. Moreover, many of the companies that produce alternative remedies have significantly higher profit margins than pharmaceutical manufacturers because they need not make significant investments in research and development and their products are often exempted from having to prove efficacy through large scale clinical trials.

[jetle25]

03:27 PM on 03/23/2011

I also want to say. My aunt had Breast Cancer had to have double Mastectomy. The Cancer still was there. The doctors said there was nothing left they could do. My mom put her on a giant regimen of Ginseng supplement from Bing Han. It was expensive but probably not as much as the Doctors and the Chemo. She is cured and the Dr.s were creaped out.

[David4FreePress]

12:08 PM on 03/23/2011

Lovely post. Thank you.