The Philippine Online Chronicles

Some medical practitioners, cancer patients and cancer survivors believe that cancer can be cured through holistic and natural methods.

The medical TV drama, Private Practice features fictional characters of physicians in the field of holistic healing or naturopathic medicine. Private Practice depicts situations where patients undergo a wide range of holistic forms of treatment.

Naturopathy exists beyond the world of TV scripts. Naturopathic medicine is a unique form of primary health care where practitioners promote the least invasive procedures and physiologically supportive methods in treating diseases.

Naturopathic practitioners use a wide range of therapies and techniques (modern and traditional, scientific and empirical methods) in determining the needs of individual patients. Naturopathic practitioners look at the whole picture -- physical, mental, emotional and even the spiritual state of the patient before making a diagnosis.

Here are common naturopathic treatments for cancer:

• Nutritional counseling
• Herbal medicine
• Homeopathic medicine
• Acupuncture
• Hydrotherapy (water therapy)
• Physical medicine
• Detoxification
• Spirituality
• Lifestyle and psychological counseling

Can natural cancer therapies really help fight and defeat cancer?

Naturopathic practitioners treat both acute and chronic medical conditions.  Naturopathy can be applied on a wide range of diseases from simple conditions like ear infections, asthma and arthritis to more serious diseases such as HIV and different types of cancer.

Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer among women.  Based on the Philippine Breast Cancer Network (PBCN), the Philippines has the highest incidence of breast cancer in Asia.  According to statistics from PBCN, 1 out of 13 Filipino women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime.

Some breast cancer patients who are not in favor of conventional medical treatment turn to naturopathic therapies and methods to treat their medical condition.

Naturopathic approach for breast cancer

Detoxification

Naturopathic practitioners often use detoxification in treating various diseases including cancer. The process of detoxification helps remove stored toxins from the patient’s body (bowel, the blood, liver, and kidneys). It also removes a significant amount of toxic substances stored in body fat. Detoxification methods include fasting, using enemas, and drinking lots of water.

Nutrition counseling/therapy

Dr. Tam Mateo, the first naturopathic doctor in the Philippines said,” We often forget that our body has natural healing abilities. Almost all people stricken with illnesses have nutritional deficiency. If it is not given for a certain period of time, the patient feels exhaustion and deteriorates until the body can’t repair the damage. What we do is fill up those deficiencies through nutritional therapy.”

Women who are diagnosed with breast cancer often find themselves in the road of change.  The Big C becomes a triggering force to re-evaluate health practices and nutrition.  Many breast cancer patients make a turning point in their lives by making lifestyle changes such as dietary changes. Healthy diet combined with regular exercise can benefit a cancer patient’s overall health.  Good nutrition can influence the quality of life of women diagnosed with breast cancer.

General dietary information can guide cancer patients to eat a more healthy diet but personal dietary counseling can make a big difference in structuring everyday nutritional needs.  Nutrition counseling is a personal way of guiding individuals in choosing the right foods to meet nutritional needs and at the same time counteract any side effects of their treatment.  Nutrition counseling can help breast cancer individuals get optimal nutrition especially during treatment in order to promote better immune function, prevent malnutrition, rebuild body tissue, avoid risk of infection and improve overall health.

Before the start of nutrition therapy, the dietician conducts an individual assessment of the patient to determine daily requirements of calories and protein, and identify possible problems that could hinder such goals.  The dietician will work closely with the patient to develop a personalized nutrition plan and recommend vitamin and mineral supplementation. The dietician will monitor the patient closely and make changes in the diet if necessary. The dietician will educate the patient and family members about the importance of maintaining healthy eating habits and come up with a plan to prevent weight gain after patient returns home.

According to the John Hopkins medicine, the following can help breast cancer patients and survivors in fighting breast cancer:

• Eat more fruits, vegetables and whole grains.

Fruits, vegetables and whole grains are naturally known for its cancer fighting properties namely antioxidant, antiestrogen and chemopreventive.

John Hopkins medicine shares the following examples of fruits, vegetables and grains that are beneficial for cancer patients and survivors.  An individual is recommended to take 5 or more daily servings of fruits and vegetables everyday.

Whole grains such as wheat, rye, oats, rice, corn and barley are rich in complex carbohydrates, fiber, vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals.  Green leafy vegetables such as lettuce and spinach are rich source of minerals (including iron, calcium, potassium, and magnesium), vitamins K, C, E, B vitamins. Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, bok choy, turnip and cauliflower are high in phytochemicals, vitamins and minerals, and fiber.  Other cancer fighting vegetables include umbelliferous vegetables (celery, parsley, carrots), allium vegetables (garlic, onion, leek), legumes (soybeans, peanut, peas) and cucurbitaceous vegetables (pumpkin, squash, cucumber).

• Monitor fat intake.

Eat less highly saturated foods such as beef, lamb, organ meats, ice-cream, cheese, cream and butter. Avoid foods high in trans fat such as spreads, commercially baked cookies, cakes and donuts, chips and crackers.

Consume more fish (3 times a week) to help increase omega 3-polyunsaturated fat intake.  According to research, these fatty acids may help inhibit the development of breast tumors.

• Avoid processed foods.

According to Natural News, diet high in junk food and elevated blood sugar can increase women's risk to cancer including breast cancer. Lessen consumption of processed foods.  Minimize intake of cured, pickled and smoked foods.

Herbal medicine

For many years, plant chemicals have been used to help fight cancers. Vincristine, (also called Leurocristine), an alkaloid sourced from a very specific Madagascan type of periwinkle plant have long been recommended to treat breast cancer and other malignancies.  Vincristine is widely used as a strong chemotherapy agent.  According to oncologists, herbal treatment should be used under close medical supervision.  Patients are discouraged from using herbal periwinkle extracts without medical guidance because it can be highly toxic.

Acupuncture

According to the Washington Post, treatments for breast cancer can trigger early menopause which results to the decrease in the production of estrogen.  New research claim that acupuncture may help ease side effects of early menopause such as hot flashes, excessive sweating, fatigue and more.  Acupuncture also helps relieve vasomotor symptoms in breast cancer patients.

Psychological counseling and more

Being diagnosed with breast cancer can be overwhelming.  Health concerns combined with personal issues can cause stress levels to reach its all time high.

Stress can manifest itself through sleeping problems, fatigue, body aches, pain, anxiety, irritability, tension, and headaches. Psychological, spiritual and lifestyle counseling can provide support for breast cancer patients and their families.

Naturopathy in the Philippines

• Dr. Tam Mateo, a Cancer, Nutrition and Health advocate and considered as the country’s first naturopathic doctor offers nutritional programs to cancer patients and people with degenerative diseases.  He is also behind the products Miracle Tea and Live Green.

• The Ananda Marga Wellness Center nestled in the tranquil area in Pagsabungan, Mandaue, Cebu is a stay-in alternative healing center.  It offers a holistic approach to health using natural therapies such as yoga, detoxification, meditation and vegetarian diet.

• The Farm at San Benito offers holistic healing and wellness therapies such as detoxification and lifestyle enhancement. Therapies are centered on wellness, prevention and recovery.

Photo: “Sunset” c/o Wikimedia Commons. Public domain; “Vegetarian Pho” by , c/o Flickr. Some Rights Reserved; “Untitled” by , c/o Flickr. Some Rights Reserved.

Rachel Yapchiongco, also known as Rach to her friends, is a Psychology and Marketing Management graduate of De La Salle University.  She took up MBA at the same university.  Rachel is a full-time mom to a charming young boy and married to an entrepreneur with a passion for cooking. She shares parenting experiences and slices of everyday life on her personal blog called Heart of Rachel.