Below are just a small sampling of scientific studies that demonstrate the benefit of complementary or alternative (CAM) medicine - sometimes described as complementary or integrative medicine (CIM), in cancer care. Integrative medicine (IM) is a discipline that seeks to bring evidence-informed, non-conventional approaches into conventional medical care in a coordinated and safe manner.
Unfortunately, many pediatric cancer patients may not have access to (or awareness of) quality integrative care.
This is why Cancer Response Team exists!
Unfortunately, many pediatric cancer patients may not have access to (or awareness of) quality integrative care.
This is why Cancer Response Team exists!
Benefits Of Integrative Cancer Treatments may include:
- Strengthening the body, including the immune system, before, during, and after conventional cancer treatments
- Enhancing the power of conventional therapies to kill cancer cells
- Helping protect noncancerous cells from the toxicity of conventional treatments
- Reducing side effects from conventional cancer treatments
- Reducing incidence of treatment delay / discontinuance thereby improving outcomes
- Stimulating the body’s natural anti-cancer defenses
- Reducing inflammation, angiogenesis, and other factors that may contribute to a cancer friendly environment in the body
- Supporting the mind and spirit before, during, and after conventional cancer treatments
- Enhancing quality of life
- Reducing the probability of relapse
- Ameliorating pain
- Lowering stress and anxiety
- Promoting coping strategies
Survival impact of integrative cancer care in advanced metastatic breast cancer.
In this study the authors report survival data for a consecutive case series of advanced metastatic breast cancer patients who received a comprehensive clinical program combining conventional treatments with nutrition and supplementation, fitness and mind-spirit instruction at the Block Center for Integrative Cancer Treatment. The authors conclude: "Despite a higher proportion of younger and relapsed patients, survival of metastatic breast cancer patients at the Center was approximately double that of comparison populations and possibly even higher compared to trials published during this period. Explanations for the advantage relative to conventional treatment alone may include the nutritional, nutraceutical, exercise and psychosocial interventions, individually or in combination."
Integrative Oncology Outpatient Consultations:
Long-Term Effects on Patient-Reported Symptoms and Quality of Life
Long-Term Effects on Patient-Reported Symptoms and Quality of Life
A recent study published in the Journal of Cancer, was conducted at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center's Integrative Medicine Center between September 2009 and December 2013. The authors concluded: "Overall, an initial integrative oncology consultation resulted in clinically meaningful improvements in psychosocial symptoms for patients who returned for follow-up. Greater overall impact across all symptoms was observed for those reporting a moderate to high symptom burden at initial presentation."
Effect of a 12-week integrative oncology intervention on gastro-intestinal concerns in patients with gynecological and breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy.
A recent study published in the Journal of Medical Oncology examined the impact of CIM intervention on gastro-intestinal (GI)-related concerns in patients with breast/gynecological cancer undergoing chemotherapy. The authors concluded: "The integration of a 12-week CIM intervention in conventional supportive cancer care may reduce nausea and improve appetite in patients with breast/gynecological cancer undergoing chemotherapy. "
Impact of a patient-tailored complementary/integrative medicine programme on disturbed sleep quality among patients undergoing chemotherapy.
Another recent study published in the British Medical Journal Supportive and Palliative Care examined the impact of a patient-tailored complementary/integrative medicine (CIM) program on sleep quality in patients undergoing chemotherapy for breast and gynaecological cancer. The authors concluded: "A patient-tailored CIM programme may improve sleep quality and related concerns among patients with breast and gynaecological cancer undergoing chemotherapy."
Impact of a complementary/integrative medicine program on the need for supportive cancer care-related medications.
In this study, the authors examined the impact of CIM on the need for supportive cancer care-related medications and found that the group receiving CIM support had a decrease in the use of non-opioid analgesics (NOAs).
Vitamin E neuroprotection for cisplatin neuropathy: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial.
In this study of 108 randomized patients, the incidence of neurotoxicity was significantly lower in group that received Vitamin E (5.9%) than in the placebo group 2 (41.7%) (p < 0.01).
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