The information on this site is for general interest. It is not intended to be used for self-prescribing of any medical conditions; and we do not, in any way, make recommendations for an individual. As always, we recommend that you consult your doctor if you have any medical condition before commencing any new diet or medicines.

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Therapy Definitions

You may have heard of the following terms used for treatments and therapies. In the context of this section, knowing the differences between them is important.

Conventional therapies are those most often used by doctors to treat people with cancer, such as surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and hormone treatment. Generally, conventional treatments have been tested in clinical trials and through long experience with patients.

Complementary therapies are treatments that are given alongside conventional cancer treatments.

Alternative therapies are viewed as treatments that are intended to be used instead of conventional treatments.

What is complementary medicine?

Complementary medicine is a term generally referring to practitioners who practice and promote the use of Natural Medicine. Naturopaths, acupuncturists and Chinese herbalists are complementary health practitioners. Others include homoeopaths, herbalists, chiropractors, osteopaths and various massage therapies such as shiatsu and aromatherapy.

The various methods promote health by aiding the body's own natural healing ability. This is achieved through improving the body's nutritional status, promoting elimination of toxins, reduction of stress and improving posture and physical alignment.

Under Australian law, cancer can only be treated by a qualified medical practitioner. This is because the seriousness of the disease requires the person to be under the care of a doctor. Complementary medicine practitioners can, however, treat the general health of people with cancer and provide additional support.

How can Complementary medicine help?

In cancer, complementary medicine may be helpful in many ways such as:

Fortunately for all of us the body has a remarkable ability to heal itself. We have all cut ourselves at some time and watched in wonder as the wound repairs and disappears. It is this natural healing process that complementary medicine aims to support. To function well and maintain good health the body needs the right nutritional fuel, good circulation and breathing and a positive mental outlook.

Lack of nutrient reserves in the body increases your chances of getting sick, while increasing your nutritional reserves gives your body the building blocks to bounce back after illness or prevent getting problems in the first place. It is well known that many diseases are due entirely or partially to a deficiency of a specific nutrient.

A naturopath can give helpful advice on improving your diet as well as prescribe natural medicines such as herbs, vitamins and minerals, that will support your body to function better. This could be by improving the immune system, aiding circulation, improving elimination or by many other means.

Therapies such as acupuncture and massage work by improving circulation of fluids such as blood, aiding nerve function and reducing stress levels.

Because there are so many views on diet and health it is often best to get some specialist advice. For referral to a complementary medicine practitioner you can contact the professional associations listed on this site.

If you are receiving medical treatment for cancer, always mention any complementary medicines or treatments to your specialist or doctor. They may not have specialised knowledge on natural medicines though it is best they are fully informed. This gives you peace of mind and they may also have some useful information for you.

Complementary medicine's view on health.

In western medicine the primary the focus is on the diagnosis and treatment of disease. In complementary medicine the focus is on health and the subtle changes that are constantly occurring within us.

Naturopaths and Chinese medicine practitioners take notice of the small signs our body shows when we are healthy or not as well as we can be. Things like the clarity and brightness of the eyes, skin complexion, strength of voice, posture, breathing pattern, health and colour of finger nails, shine to the hair and numerous other signs give very valuable insights into our state of health. Great attention is often given to elimination such as bowel movements as many problems are caused by inadequate elimination of toxic waste from the body.

In both naturopathic and Chinese medicine, the cause of most health problems is viewed as an imbalance or deficiency within the person and/or an overload of toxic accumulation. With appropriate nutrition, supplements, relaxation and exercise, our ability to resist disease can be strengthened. In many instances, responsibility for ones state of health is directed back to the patient and support is given to help integrate positive lifestyle changes.

Often changes as simple as minor dietary additions, deeper breathing, drinking more pure water or taking herbal, vitamin or mineral supplements, can bring vast improvements in ones health.

Dietary ideas and options for people with cancer.

With such a vast amount of information available in books and from other sources, it can be confusing deciding what is best for us to eat. The following information discusses some of the main things to consider when making decisions on diet.

There is no wrong or right diet. Some foods and ways of eating are, of course, better than others. Many factors influence what foods are best for an individual's needs including climate, physical activity, lifestyle, condition and age.

Often, it is not what we eat that is important so much as what we need to avoid. If a diet is too high in sugar, meat and fats from highly processed foods and stimulants such as coffee, reducing the intake of these foods and substances can be more important for our health than adding health foods.

Free-radicals: These are highly reactive molecules that contribute to cell damage and disease. Although the body produces free radicals our load is increased with environmental exposure such as chemicals, radiation and X rays and also ingested compounds in our food and drinks. Some sources are air pollution, insecticides, radiation such as from computers, and mobile phones, fried or burnt foods, alcohol and coffee. Cigarette smoke has extremely high levels of free radicals.

Antioxidants: Compounds that help prevent free-radical damage are known as antioxidants or "free-radical scavengers". These protective compounds are common in our foods such as Vitamins A, C, E and Coenzyme Q10. Also carotenes such as beta-carotene, which is high in carrots, and the trace mineral selenium, are well known antioxidants. Lycopene, which gives tomatoes their colour, is a powerful antioxidant. Grape seed, maratime pine bark and green tea extracts contain catechins that have potent antioxidant properties and have become popular natural medicines.

As many of these protective compounds are abundant in fresh fruit and vegetables it is wise to make sure we eat plenty of them each day. People with cancer are usually recommended to also have fresh fruit and vegetable juices each day as their body's needs are greater and juicing provides the extra nourishment, including minerals, with minimum energy wasted on digestion. For people that are weak and have a lack of appetite, juicing can provide high quantities of essential antioxidants, vitamins and minerals that are easily absorbed.

Sugar: In many areas of the world where there is high consumption of sugar, there are high rates of cancer. Sugar is routinely added in so many foods today that even finding a loaf of bread at your corner store without added sugar can be a difficult task. Sugar has been shown to weaken the immune system and therefore resistance to disease. Reduce intake of processed food and junk foods such as sweet treats like cakes and biscuits. As well as being high in sugar they are often high in unhealthy fats and oils.

Meat: It is generally agreed by most health practitioners that keeping meat intake low and increasing fresh fruit and vegetables, cereal grains and legumes, is best for our health. Fish is often preferred to red meat and all meat consumed should be as lean as possible. Most definitely avoid burnt or barbequed meat and processed meats such as some ham and sausage products as they are high in free-radicals.

Dairy: Milk and cheese contain beneficial nutrients such as calcium, however can cause problems in many people who are lactose intolerant and cannot digest milk properly. Some people have an allergy to milk, however many more may have what is called an intolerance and are simply not aware of it. This intolerance can manifest itself in many ways such as sinus, lethargy, wind or bloating. If you eat a lot of dairy you may benefit from reducing your intake and seeing how you feel after a couple of weeks.

Fruit and vegetables: An old Chinese saying is "a colourful meal is a healthy meal". This refers to vegetables and obviously the more varied the selection, the more varied the nutrients contained in them. Root vegetables such as carrots and sweet potato are high in carotene; a protective antioxidant and green leafy vegetables, such as lettuce, are high in folic acid or folate. A deficiency of folic acid can be associated with cervical dysplasia, a pre-cancerous condition.

Lycopene is a powerful antioxidant and is what gives some vegetables their colour, such as the red in tomatoes. Beetroot has been shown to have very protective properties.

As there are so many protective nutrients in vegetables and fruit, it is wise to have a varied and plentiful daily intake of them. It is best to buy organic supplies that are not treated with pesticides and are often grown in a more nutrient rich soil. These are usually more expensive and it may require a bit more effort to locate an organic store, so may not be convenient for everyone.

Always wash or scrub vegetables before eating to remove pesticides, and pre-soaking is advisable.

Detoxification Diet: Many people with cancer, as with other diseases, are recommended to go on a detoxification diet. This simply means to reduce or eliminate foods that add to a toxic overburden or are heavy to digest. This gives the body some time to cleanse itself. Some detoxification methods are very strict limiting the diet to fruit, vegetables and juices for a limited period that may only be 3 to 7 days. Other diets may only reduce certain foods and be a 4-8 week program. Most detoxification diets reduce or eliminate animal products such as meat and dairy and junk food, alcohol, tea and coffee for a set period of time.

Important: Before going on any diet it is best to seek professional advice from a qualified complementary practitioner or your doctor. There is not one diet that suits everyone. Some diets may be too harsh for you at a particular time in time, or may be for too long a period and result in a depletion of some kind.

Most people benefit from a detoxification program with results such as an increase in vitality, feel happier and more relaxed, clearer skin, less aches and pains, improved sleep, glowing complexion and generally just feel a whole lot better within themselves.

Occasionally, during the beginning of a cleansing diet, the person may experience a temporary worsening of their health from 1-7 days. There may be headaches and a more sluggish feeling, or a skin rash may appear. This is all due to the body launching into a cleansing and elimination process because less stress is put on it from a dietary source and it takes the opportunity to remove accumulated wastes from the tissues.

This results in symptoms such as above, although after a short time the reaction disappears and the person feels much better for it. Heavy coffee drinkers, for example, often get headaches on the second or third day after withdrawal that may last 1-4 days.

A change in diet usually means a change in bowel habits also. As there are changes and possible temporary reactions to strict or extreme dietary changes, it is best to get professional nutritional support to decide on what is the best approach for you. Keep in mind there is not 'one right way' and we must keep a commonsense view.

Water: We are composed mainly of water and easily become dehydrated. We should therefore make sure we drink enough during the day. This especially helps with detoxification of wastes. Drink pure water such as rain, spring or filtered in preference to tap water. Drinking excessively with meals is not recommended as this dilutes digestive juices and strains digestion, which can lead to bloating and lethargy.

Depleted condition: If you are weak and depleted with a lack of appetite from treatment or your condition, eat small quantities of quality food and try juicing fruit and vegetables. Food supplements such as barley or wheat grass powder and spiralina can be really helpful. These come in tablets or a powder and are a green highly concentrated natural source of essential nutrients. Many prefer the tablets to avoid the taste (which is like grass) and are available in health food stores.

Nutritional supplement information for cancer support.

The following is a limited list and brief description of some helpful and popular supplements used for nutritional support in cancer. There are many more options. Some supplements are known as food supplements and others as vitamin and mineral supplements or a combination of both.

Many vitamin and other nutrient supplements are of a synthetic origin. Food supplements on the other hand are simply any concentrated wholefoods such as barley and wheat grass, spirulina and shitake mushroom powder.

It is a good idea to use food supplements made by nature as a base, such as barley and wheat grass, and then add a multivitamin/mineral combination and other specific nutrient supplements to suit individual needs.

Some supplements are used for their high nutritional value and others for the immune enhancing capabilities or exceptional antioxidant activity.

Wheatgrass: An excellent green, nutrient rich wholefood containing approximately 7 times more Vitamin C than oranges, over 90 minerals, beta carotene, folic acid, B group vitamins, chlorophyll, Vitamin E, essential amino acids, fibre, plant enzymes and numerous other nutrients.

Not only is wheatgrass highly nutritious, it also aids detoxification. Wheatgrass juicing is very popular the world over for super nutrition and cleansing. It is available in powder or convenient tablets.

Barleygrass: Very similar nutritive value to Wheatgrass and they are often combined.

Spirulina: Aquatic green wholefood concentrate of blue-green microalgae. Contains a broad spectrum of nutrients similar to barley and wheatgrass.

Mushroom extracts: Used for their powerful immune system enhancing properties, the most well known being Japanese Shitake and Reiishi. These are not the common mushrooms used in cooking and found in the green grocers.

Green Tea: Contains epigallocatechin gallate, a potent antioxidant. May help protect DNA against mutations. Green tea concentrates are added to some nutritional formulas.

Grape Seed Extract: Contains a high concentration of proanthrocyanidins (bioflavanoids). Grape seed is a powerful free radical scavenger and antioxidant with nearly fifty times greater antioxidant capability than Vitamin E and twenty times more activity than Vitamin C.

French Maratime Pine: Pine bark extract commercially referred to in the USA as Pycnogenol. Also contains proanthrocyandins and similar in action to Grape Seed.

Tumeric: Curcumin, an active constituent of Tumeric enhances detoxification of reactive compounds.

Vitamin C: Antioxidant and immune stimulant. Many studies have been done on the effects of Vitamin C with very positive outcomes. May reduce abnormal rates of cell division in some cancers and may decrease the risk of developing cancer or the spread of cancer cells.

Vitamin E: Antioxidant, protects cell membranes from oxidive damage and is an immune stimulant.

Vitamin A: May help reduce the incidence of some cancers. Enhances immune competence.

Beta-carotene and Carotene: May inhibit the growth of abnormal cells and may help reduce the incidence of some cancers.

Lycopene: The red-pigmented carotenoid as found in tomatoes. Potent antioxidant shown to help protect DNA from oxidive damage, reducing cell cycle abnormalities that may lead to abnormal cell function in hormone-sensitive tissues.

Co Enzyme Q10: Co Q10 may help reduce tumor growth, stimulate the immune system and improve cellular energetics. Research also has shown a protective effect against the immune suppressive effects of chemotherapeutic drugs. Co Q10 is popular for it's positive effect on energy production.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Contained in flaxseed oil and fish oils. May help prevent chromosomal damage and inhibit cancer cells. An Immune system stimulant.

Folic acid: Folic acid may help reduce chromosomal damage. Cervical dysplasia has been associated with low folic acid levels in women. Green leafy vegetables are a rich source of folic acid. Folic acid is not to be given in leukemia.

Selenium: A deficiency of the trace mineral selenium is associated with increased cancer risk. Selenium has antioxidant activity and Australian soil has low levels of this trace mineral.

Limonene: Compound present in orange peel and celery seed oil that may help inhibit tumor growth.

Chaparral: Chaparral tea (Larrea Divaricate) contains a potent antioxidant, nor-dihydroguaiaretic acid that may have some anti-tumor activity.

Essiac Herbal Formula: Known as sheep sorrel combination. Essiac is widely prescribed by herbalists to support people with cancer. The formula contains four herbs that have traditional actions of 'purifying' or 'cleansing' the blood (detoxification).

Astragalus: The Chinese herb Astragalus enhances immune function and has a strengthening effect on the body. Astragalus is a very useful herb for aiding the immune system and recovering after an illness.

Chinese Herbs: Chinese herbs can be very helpful to support people with cancer though are best prescribed by professional herbalists. Individual formulas are prescribed to suit the unique pattern of the patient. Many factors are taken into account such energy levels and the presence of heat, cold, phlegm or pain. If there is insomnia for example, the formula will contain herbs to induce sleep.

Hormone Replacement Therapy Alternative: There have been concerns regarding long-term use of Hormone Replacement Therapy and an association with increased risk of cancer. Some cancer treatments can bring on an early menopause and many women who suffer menopausal symptoms are finding relief with herbal alternatives. Phytoestrogen (plant based) herbal combinations such as Harmony Women's Balancing Formula, is a natural option and available in health stores.

There are many more nutrient options that have a positive benefit for anyone diagnosed with cancer. Vitamins from the B group aid many functions and help reduce stress that may be a contributing factor in disease. Zinc has a positive effect on the immune system, as do numerous herbs. New research is bringing attention to many antioxidant compounds.

Many companies now manufacture a wide variety of nutrient formulas that combine food extracts with other nutrients. Complementary medicine practitioners such as naturopaths are generally up to date with what is available and can advise what may be the most useful for you. They also have access to practitioner-only products that are not available in stores, thereby offering a greater choice for specific combinations of nutrients.

Remember, Mother Nature provides an incredible pharmacy through our foods so make the most of it.

Eat right and use supplements as support - and not because your diet is deficient or overloaded with processed foods.

The information on this site is for general interest. It is not intended to be used for self-prescribing of any medical conditions; and we do not, in any way, make recommendations for an individual. As always, we recommend that you consult your doctor if you have any medical condition before commencing any new diet or medicines.

Create a health plan for yourself

If you have been diagnosed with cancer, it is helpful to make a health plan and decide how you are going to give yourself support. What foods are you going to avoid? What foods shall you eat more of? What supplements will you take, considering your tolerance to taking pills, the taste and your budget? What form of treatment support may you get such as acupuncture, Chiropractic or Shiatsu massage? What changes are necessary to reduce stress? What is your exercise plan to improve oxygenation of the body that may include yoga, walking or more golf or fun sport?

The following is an example of a simple health plan that may suit someone who is not inclined to be too strict on themselves, however wish to improve their health and increase resistance to disease. Others may choose a strict path of juicing, much raw food and mass supplements.

Example of a health plan that you can design.

Diet: Avoidance of all processed foods except as occasional special treats. Reduce meat and dairy consumption and eat more fresh vegetables, fruit, cereal grains, legumes, nuts and seeds. Restrict coffee to two cups a week. Limit alcohol to a glass occasionally. Have one fresh squeezed fruit or vegetable juice every day. Drink more pure water throughout day.

Supplements: Twice per day:-Grapeseed combination, wheatgrass powder, multi vitamin/mineral with selenium.

Treatment: Acupuncture once per week and Massage once a month to strengthen the body, help elimination of toxins and reduce stress.

More Time Out: Doing things I enjoy such as movies, gardening, or reading.

Exercise: Walking for a half hour daily and ten minutes of stretching. Meditation: Twenty minutes per day.

Writing a plan like this makes taking a positive approach easier and more effective. Decisions are made such as 'I do eat this, I don't eat that, and I must take this and make more time for that'.

Sometimes we over eat, drink alcohol or smoke for comfort and enjoyment, although in reality it brings us more problems. It does not take long to get into a healthy routine.

With diet, focus on how much better you will feel and not what you can't have. (You can of course eat whatever you want although often there are consequences). Whatever your decisions on change are, do it at your pace. For some people, sudden and radical change is not supportive. For others it can be life saving.

Cancer Prevention

Cancer may not be 100 percent preventable, although there is much we can do to reduce our risks of developing it. Many medical authorities have stated that at least 70 percent of cancer is avoidable by not smoking, eating better, avoiding chemical exposure and other factors.

Eating a healthy diet and taking some supplements, as previously mentioned on this site, as well as reducing stress and doing regular exercise, may help reduce the risk of cancer. This is not to say that exercise stops cancer. Rather, that doing these things improve our health overall and our resistance to disease in general.

Unfortunately we can't stop cancer, however there are many inherent factors that can help minimise the risk of developing it. It is important to also note that, of those who have developed cancer, a large percentage of people are successfully treated and live normal productive lives.

Cancer Prevention Program

1. Reduce consumption of fat or deep fried foods.
2. Reduce intake of refined and processed foods including cakes, sweets, sugar, soft drinks and tea and coffee.
3. Reduce intake of foods that contain added carcinogens, eg. barbequed, pickled or smoked foods.
4. Do not smoke cigarettes.
5. Avoid foods that contain artificial sweeteners and colours.
6. Do not eat poultry or beef from hormonally treated animals or birds.
7. Reduce intake of alcoholic beverages.
8. Do not eat irradiated foods.
9. Avoid pesticides. 
10. Reduce exposure to radiation and excessive strong sunlight.
11. Avoid sexual promiscuity.
12. Avoid using talcum powder. There may be an association with an increased risk of ovarian cancer.
13. Eat foods that have been found to be cancer protective such as green leafy vegetables, broccoli, shallots, lettuce, pineapple, apples, carrots, blue berries, onions, beetroot, cherries, paw paw and other fruit and vegetables. Eat adequate raw vegetables.
14. Reduce salt intake.
15. Avoid all fluoride toothpastes.
16. Take deep breaths often throughout the day.
17. Use garlic and ginger in cooking.
18. Supplement the diet with protective nutrients.

Locating a Complementary Medicine Practitioner

You can contact the associations listed below and ask for a referral to a practitioner in your area. Alternatively, reference therapy headings such as Naturopaths or Acupuncturists in the Yellow Pages phone book

Australian Natural Therapists Association: Phone: 1800 817 577 Web Site: http://www.anta.com.au/ Email: anta1955@bigpond.com  

Australian Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine Association: Phone: 1800 025 334 Web Site: http://www.acupuncture.org.au/  Email: aacma@acupuncture.org.au 

The information on this site is for general interest. It is not intended to be used for self-prescribing of any medical conditions; and we do not, in any way, make recommendations for an individual. As always, we recommend that you consult your doctor if you have any medical condition before commencing any new diet or medicines.

Compiled by Rod Berger. B.App.Sc.(TCM) ND. Chinese Medicine and Naturopathic Practitioner