Dietary Factors Influence Ovarian Cancer Survival Rates: New Study Shows Relationship Between Healthy Eating And Prolonged Survival

March 2, 2010

2009 estimates projected that in the United States alone 21,550 new cases of ovarian cancer would be diagnosed and 14,600 women would die of the disease. Often diagnosed in late stages, ovarian cancer has an asymptomatic onset and a relatively low 5-year survival rate of about 45%. Consequently investigation linked to survivorship is critical…

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Acupuncture Effective in Easing Breast Cancer Treatment Symptoms

January 2, 2010

By Madeline Ellis
Aside from skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer among American women, and the second leading cause of death in women. The American Cancer Society estimates that the chance of a woman getting breast cancer at some point during her life is slightly less than 1 in 8, and the chance of dying from breast cancer is about 1 in 35. However, as a result of early detection and vast improvements in treatment over the past two decades, breast cancer death rates have been decreasing. Today in America, there are more than 2.5 million survivors.

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Making circadian cancer therapy practical.

January 1, 2010

Making circadian cancer therapy practical.

Integr Cancer Ther. 2009 Dec;8(4):371-86

Authors: Block KI, Block PB, Fox SR, Birris JS, Feng AY, de la Torre M, Nathan D, Tothy P, Maki AK, Gyllenhaal C

Practical circadian therapy for the cancer patient involves 3 spheres of intervention-improving lifestyle, optimizing internal biochemical milieu, and adjusting treatment times. The potential value of improving overall circadian functioning is shown in the work of Mormont et al in which pronounced rest-activity rhythms were associated with better survival in colorectal cancer patients receiving chronomodulated chemotherapy. Lifestyle interventions that may improve circadian functioning involve diet, physical activity, and mind-body therapies. A diet that is anti-inflammatory and has appropriate carbohydrate intake, as well as regular meal timing, encourages normal circadian cycles. Adequate daytime physical activity encourages restful sleep, and morning light exposure during exercise may entrain melatonin rhythms. Meditation and other mind-body therapies can reduce anxiety and depression that may disrupt sleep. Aspects of the biochemical milieu that specifically disrupt circadian functioning are inflammation and stress hormones. Inflammation and cytokine disruption can be addressed with diet, herbs, and other natural substances. Chronomodulation of chemotherapy in a US clinical setting will be discussed. A series of 12 cases will be presented of patients who experienced grade 3 to 4 toxicities with various chemotherapy regimens for colorectal cancer. When rechallenged with the same regimens administered chronotherapeutically, none of the patients experienced grade 3 to 4 toxicity. Integrating all the above treatment modalities has the potential to improve both the quality of life and disease outcomes in cancer patients.

PMID: 20042412 [PubMed - in process]

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Post-Treatment Diet Patterns Explored In Colorectal Cancer Patients

December 17, 2009

In an effort to build the groundwork for future research on health promotion among individuals with colorectal and other cancers, a team of investigators at The Cancer Institute of New Jersey (CINJ) has launched a new study examining patterns in physical activity and eating habits of colorectal cancer patients who have recently finished treatment…

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Mesothelioma Patient Sees Tumor Disappear with Integrative Medicine

December 15, 2009

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In a remarkable testament to the power of both alternative and traditional approaches to cancer treatment, a man with pleural mesothelioma has seen his tumor disappear.

The 73-year-old man underwent a pleurectomy—a surgical procedure to remove the pleura, which is a mesothelial lining of the chest cavity and on the lung—but the tumor relapsed locally. After also undergoing postoperative intrathoracic chemotherapy and systemic chemotherapy, the patient then tried a mushroom extract and a form of acupuncture known as alternative parasympathetic nerve stimulation therapy. Following these treatments, the relapsed tumor decreased significantly over the course of four months, and eventually disappeared altogether.

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that is usually linked to previous exposure to the building substance asbestos. When dust from the manufacture, processing or installation of asbestos-containing materials is inhaled or ingested, tiny fibers can burrow into the body, embed themselves in the mesothelium, and lead to the development of this aggressive cancer. Malignant pleural mesothelioma is the most common form, but it can also strike the stomach, heart or testes.

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“Alternative treatments are also popular with patients, who have reported significant easing of symptoms, as well as pain relief, from such holistic approaches as massage, acupuncture, nutritional supplements, TENS therapy and hypnosis.”

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Soy Does Not Appear To Increase Breast Cancer Deaths, Recurrence, Study Finds

December 11, 2009

Soy foods may not be harmful to breast cancer survivors — as some animal studies have suggested — and they could even reduce the risk of recurrence of the disease, according to a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association, the Los Angeles Times reports…

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Pistachios May Reduce Lung Cancer Risk

December 9, 2009

A diet that incorporates a daily dose of pistachios may help reduce the risk of lung and other cancers, according to data presented at the American Association for Cancer Research Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research Conference, held Dec. 6-9. “It is known that vitamin E provides a degree of protection against certain forms of cancer…

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Soy Food Linked To Decreased Risk Of Breast Cancer Recurrence And Death

December 9, 2009

Researchers at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, led by Xiao Ou Shu, M.D., Ph.D., professor of Medicine, have found that a higher intake of soy foods was associated with a lower risk of death and breast cancer recurrence among breast cancer patients in China. The study is published in the December 9 issue of JAMA…

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Consumption Of Soy Food Among Women With Breast Cancer Associated With Decreased Risk Of Death, Cancer Recurrence

December 8, 2009

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Although there is a concern regarding the safety of soy food consumption among breast cancer survivors, researchers have found that women in China who had breast cancer and a higher intake of soy food had an associated lower risk of death and breast cancer recurrence, according to a study in the December 9 issue of JAMA…

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