Acupuncture can reduce the Side Effects of Breast Cancer Treatment:
A diagnosis of breast cancer comes with a full range of emotions and can turn your world upside- down while undergoing treatment.
Acupuncture is a wonderful complimentary therapy for patients undergoing treatment for breast cancer. It can be used to ease the difficult side effects of chemotherapy and radiation. It helps relieve nausea, fatigue, decreased immunity, joint pain, insomnia, constipation or diarrhea.... It alleviates stress and improves the quality of life while undergoing care.
Increasingly, researchers have studied acupuncture’s effectiveness in providing relief. I have many years of clinical experience and have seen the relief my patients receive from using this complementary care both during chemotherapy and radiation as well as after care with aromatase inhibitors. I often incorporate medicinal mushrooms and digestive support to help stabilize white blood cell counts. This helps the recuperative process of the whole body in between chemo and radiation treatments.
www.huffingtonpost.com/.../cancer-foods_b_11922...
https://www.mushroomscience.com/
There are studies that suggest that more than one third of women taking a certain class of breast cancer drugs are so bothered by side effects that they stop taking the pills before their treatment is complete. It is difficult to maneuver the life changes that can occur, but with the intervention of regular acupuncture there is a reduction in hot flashes, better sleep and less anxiety. By mitigating the potential negative side effects of breast cancer treatment it is more likely that women finish the full course of treatment. The long term prevention of metastasis care continues uninterrupted.
Nutrition is also an important factor in recovery and prevention. In TCM we use constitutional diagnosis to help balance an individual and enhance disease fighting immunity. This information is most often combined with Western nutrition principles for the most comprehensive care.
http://www.breastcancer.com/foods.html
A great cookbook on prevention and recipes to make during treatment by author Rebecca Katz: www.rebeccakatz.com/the-cancer-fighting-kitchen/
There are also many Nutrition supplements that are recommended for after care and prevention. It is often difficult to decide which are right for you. It is important to ask for the guidance of both your Western Oncology nutritionist as well consulting with Alternative Care Practitioners as they often have different perspectives on what may be most beneficial and or potentially harmful.
For long term care; post chemotherapy and radiation. I have several standard supplements that I recommend for prevention and recovery. They are generally universally accepted and endorsed with few contraindications:
Melatonin- A hormone secreted by the pineal gland. It promotes sleep and is a potent free- radical scavenger. Studies suggest it has anti tumor effects and interferes with estrogen reception.
http://breastcancer.about.com/od/generalsideeffects/p/melatonin.htm
Turmeric- A spice belonging to the ginger family. The main active ingredient tn turmeric is curcumin. There are currently many trials in the early stages that suggest curcumin can prevent and treat some types of cancer. In laboratory studies it shows the most promise for its effects on breast, bowel, stomach and skin cancer.
Green Tea- Is a key element if cancer prevention. It is full of polyphenols ( GTP), EGCG or EGCg ( epigallocatechin gallate) not only inhibit an enzyme required for cancer growth but also kills cancer cells without ill effects on healthy cells!
http://www.cancertutor.com/greentea/
These are just a few supplements I generally recommend. There are numerous other supplements that can help with digestive function recovery, neuropathy, fatigue, and anxiety. Some of which can be a result of treatment with chemotherapy and radiation.
I highly recommend using all the tools at your disposal in this very personal fight. Alternative care as well as support groups and yoga!
GET SOME TODAY!