Cancer – Alternative Treatments

Transcript

“A common question at the time of the cancer diagnosis is, in addition to the treatments that we’re providing in the clinic with chemotherapy or targeted medications, is there anything else we can do to get better control on the cancer? And it’s tricky, but there are a couple of things that kind of across the board seem to help. And one of them is definitely exercise. Unless the cancer is something that’s really advanced and we’re kind of like holding onto the calories the best we can in hopes of hopefully making you healthier, short of that circumstance, if you’re able to exercise and go outside and be outside, that seems to do positive things. If nothing else with headspace, but also with kind of cancer management and the physical wellbeing. It doesn’t have to be intense exercise, but to just keep mobile and keep your conditioning optimized.

Another thing that people ask about are herbals and supplements. So while there is good literature that suggests that some of these herbals and supplements and especially antioxidants can be cancer preventative, it gets a little trickier when you’re talking about introducing these things during chemotherapy or medications. And the reason is, is they can actually interact with some of the same enzymes that are used to break down those drugs in the liver and the kidney. So you definitely want to ask your oncologist about those herbals and supplements if you’re trying to bring them on board, but for the most part fruits and everything, they are high in antioxidants and they are good for you if your counts aren’t getting too too low, because if your ANC or your neutrophils are getting below 500, we kind of use caution with salads and fresh fruit due to risk of infection. But definitely have a conversation with your oncologist. While a lot of things are preventative, for the most part, the literature just mostly supports the medications and treatments that you’re receiving in the oncology setting, as well as exercise, good diets, and you know, making sure all of your vitamins are replete as far as vitamin D and magnesium and your electrolytes.”