Cancer Survivors - Cancer Prevention And Naturopathic Medicine

When we think of cancer prevention, we usually speak of therapies and procedures such as X rays, mammographies, biopsies, colonscopies, chemotherapy, etc. Although all these therapies and procedures are geared towards helping the cancer patient, the question still arises: Do they really help?

Allopathic medicine sees cancer prevention primarily as early detection. Positive steps towards early detection are important, but prevention really means not creating the disease. In naturopathic terms, cancer prevention refers to this last concept, which emphasizes disease prevention and health promotion.

Statistics show that only 1% of the $1 billion budget spent on cancer care in Ontario is directed towards prevention. This very small percentage is wholly inappropriate, considering the outcome in the long run.

An important part in cancer prevention is education and therefore understanding of the disease process. Cancer is a multifactorial, multidimensional disease. Nutritional, environmental, physiological, social, emotional, psychological and spiritual influences are all important factors in dealing with this condition.

Two important mechanisms implicated in the disease process are: 1) the direct irritation, causing changes at the cellular and DNA level and 2) the condition of the host's immune system.

Potential carcinogens bind to the DNA in the cell nucleus and/or in the mitochondria, therefore altering its structure and its potential for normal duplication. Under normal circumstances, our bodies have amazing capabilities to repair abnormal DNA and cells, but when the immune system is impaired, the disease process can establish itself much easier. The clinical damage is caused by the generation of free radicals. These are unstable molecules, normal products of metabolism, generated by both enzymatic and chemical reactions in the body. They can cause irritation and breakdown of tissues, if not countered by antioxidants. Some examples of antioxidants are the enzyme systems glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase, vitamin A and Beta carotene, vitamins C and E and selenium. Making sure that our diets contain lots of these nutrients is part of any cancer prevention program.

The relationship between diet and cancer has been formally established in the 1980s. In 1982, in the report entitled "Diet, Nutrition and Cancer", the National Academy of Sciences offers dietary suggestions linked to cancer prevention. In 1988, C.Everett Koop, M.D. published "The Surgeon General's Report on Nutrition and Health", linking nutrition to common degenerative diseases, including cancer. It is encouraging to see that something that is fairly easily controlled (such as diet) is being more recognized as an important part of the treatment.

Other naturopathic modalities used with patients diagnosed with cancer are: botanical medicine, hydrotherapy, stress management and lifestyle counselling, homeopathy and acupuncture; used alone or in combination with allopathic treatments, all these therapies are very helpful in one's cancer prevention or recovery.

Keywords: