Integrative Oncology
Integrative oncology is the study, research, and practice of medical modalities (medicines and methods) that complement conventional cancer therapy (my simplified definition). It includes physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional enhancements to the healing process. It treats the person, not just the disease. It can be nutritional supplementation, dietary regimen, detoxification, genetic typing, acupuncture, meditation, prayer, music therapy, and a host of other options under the supervision of a medical professional. Integrative oncology has proven successful in many recent tests. It has shown measurable results in improving the effectiveness of conventional treatment, reducing the bad side effects of convetional treatment, and lessening the need for and duration of conventional treatment. The field is expanding. It is worth the attention of all of us who are touched directly or indirectly by cancer. That is all of us.
April 1st, 2009 at 18:16
Terry, Thank you for your efforts to fight this dreaded disease. I have 3 titanium markers in my right breast and have to have mammo’s and other tests done every 3 - 6 months as they are “watching”. My Vanderbilt prognosis is” probably NOT cancer”…humm…reassuring, huh? Anyway, I go back next week for more tests and pray to hear “ALL IS CLEAR”. Having loved Connie as one of my dearest friends, I’m grateful to see this Foundation set up in her memory. I will be checking back, frequently. Thank you friend! Blessings
April 1st, 2009 at 18:24
I’m so sorry to hear about your test result being less than negative. I pray that you hear good news soon. If it concludes differently, please consider asking your doctor about integrative options. I appreciate the encouragement.
April 1st, 2009 at 19:11
Terry:
I agree with what you say to a large degree, but what you leave out of the conversation is that, in many cases, people have successfully treated their cancers without using conventional therapies. For instance, there have been some very interesting case studies, using Intravenous Alpha Lipoic Acid, combined with Low Dose Naltrexone, to successfully treat very serious cancers, including pancreatic. (Listen to my interview with Burt Berkson, MD, PhD, integrative physician/pioneer at http://tinyurl.com/cgfjh3. Transcript of the interview is at http://tinyurl.com/bsth76 .) Also, lots of great websites on this topic, including the Annie Appleseed Project website of my friend and colleague, Ann Fonfa at http://www.annieappleseedproject.org/.
Thanks for the great work you’re doing, Terry.
Julia Schopick
www.HonestMedicine.com
April 6th, 2009 at 01:05
Terry:
This is my first time on your blog. (As you know, I am one of your followers on Twitter.)
On your website’s home page, you write: “Anti-angiogenesis, vaccines, nutrition supplements, accupuncture, chelation, nanoparticles, and hydrotherapy are just a few of the integrative treatments that have great potential for cancer patients, but are lacking in research and application.”
I’d like to point out that one of the reasons such treatments are lacking in research is that Big Pharma SHUNS any treatments that won’t bring them Big Money. Therefore the “necessary studies” don’t get done, since Pharma is the only one with enough money to fund them. A vicious cycle all around.
To learn about some very effective integrative treatments that have been used for years to successfully treat illnesses as serious as multiple sclerosis, epilepsy and terminal liver disease, please read my article, “Four Lifesaving Medical Treatments: Not So ‘Anecdotal,’ After All” at http://tinyurl.com/cspj99 . And please also listen to my eye-opening interview with Dr. Burt Berkson (MD, PhD), an icon in the integrative medicine community, who has had great success treating cancer patients –including several with pancreatic cancer! — with a combination of intravenous alpha lipoic acid and low dose naltrexone. http://tinyurl.com/bsth76 . In this interview, Dr. Berkson gives his take on Big Pharma’s lack of interest in studying inexpensive, non-toxic, effective treatments. Very sad.
Thanks for the work you are doing, Terry. I hope that, with lots of us working together, we can effect positive changes in our healthcare system.
Julia Schopick
www.HonestMedicine.com