Why is Integrative Cancer Care?
Cancer patients & survivors can feel better and live longer using powerful ways. As a brain tumor survivor since 1998, explore how I can help as a Cancer Coach, Consultant, and Speaker.
Many studies show lifestyle causes of cancer that can be prevented and treated.
Approximately 39.5 percent of people in the U.S. will be diagnosed with cancer during their lifetime.
-National Cancer Institute
About one-third of cancer deaths will be related to overweight or obesity, physical inactivity, and poor nutrition.
-American Cancer Society
More than 30% of cancer could be prevented, mainly by not using tobacco, having a healthy diet, being physically active and moderating the use of alcohol. In developing countries, up to 20% of cancer deaths could be prevented by immunization against the infection of HBV and HPV.
-World Health Organization
Only 5% to 10% of all cancers are caused by the inheritance of mutated genes and somatic mutations. The remaining 90% to 95% have links to lifestyle factors and the environment1. According to some studies, almost 30% of all cancers have been attributed to tobacco smoke1, 35% to diet2, 14% to 20% to obesity3, 18% to infections4, and 7% to radiation and environmental pollutants5. 6
Many studies show integrative cancer therapies improve quality of life and cancer survival in cancer patients.
Comprehensive nutrition and lifestyle interventions reduce progression of prostate cancer and impact prostate and breast cancer gene expression.7-9
-Dean Ornish, MD
People with metastatic breast cancer and prostate cancer who received intensive integrative oncology treatments and approaches lived twice as long as patients getting standard treatments alone.10
-Keith I. Block, MD
Pan-Asian medicine plus vitamins provided a substantial, statistically significant survival advantage in stages IIIA, IIIB, and IV lung cancer patients.11
-Michael McCulloch, LAc, MPH, PhD
Chronic inflammation has been linked with most chronic illnesses, including cancer.12
– Bharat B. Aggarwal, PhD, MD Anderson Cancer Center
The most common measure of the systemic inflammatory response in cancer patients has been an elevated high-sensitivity C-reactive protein associated with poor survival, quality of life such as cachexia, as well as poor response to treatments.13
-Donald McMillan, University of Glasgow
Study results link higher intake of omega 3 fatty acids with decreased inflammation measured through C-reactive protein plus decreased physical aspects of fatigue.14
-Office of Cancer Survivorship, National Institutes of Health
Additional published research suggests benefits such as improved quality of life and survival from integrative cancer care are referenced in other articles on this website JeannineWalston.com.
These cancer studies and other research combines conventional through integrative cancer care for the following purposes.
- Strengthens the body, including the immune system, before, during, and after conventional cancer treatments
- Enhances the power of conventional therapies to kill cancer cells
- Helps protect noncancerous cells
- Reduces side effects from conventional cancer treatments
- Stimulates the body’s natural anti-cancer defenses
- Reduces inflammation, angiogenesis, and other factors that may contribute to a cancer friendly environment in the body
- Supports the mind and spirit before, during, and after conventional cancer treatments
Studies show that cancer patients increasingly utilize integrative cancer care frequently and for various reasons.
Approximately 83% of people with cancer use at least one complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) modality.15
Other cancer studies explain perspectives of understanding about why some cancer patients use integrative cancer care.16-24
- Improve therapeutic efficacy and survival of cancer treatments
- Enhance quality of life
- Reduce side effects of conventional cancer treatments
- Utilizing integrative cancer care without conventional treatments, some people have exhausted conventional cancer treatments.
- In some cases, there are no conventional cancer treatments that offer a therapeutic benefit and/or the known risks are greater than the known benefits of available therapies.
- Belief in benefits of integrative cancer treatments addressing the whole person
- Access a wide range of therapies
- Develop healing relationships with providers
- Prevent further cancers and recurrences
- Strengthen well-being
- Protect and stimulate the immune system
- Ameliorate pain
- Feel empowerment
- Find hope
- Provide a sense of control
- Lower stress and anxiety
- Promote coping strategies
- Recognizing that absence of disease does not necessarily translate to health, some people seek integrative cancer care to provide comprehensive care to the whole person addressing both sickness and wellness.
Integrative cancer care for the whole person is the answer.
Through her ongoing personal and professional evolution since 1998, Jeannine Walston created integrative cancer care to the whole person in 2007. She discovered inclusion of the physical body, mind-body connection, spiritual vitality, social support, and a cleaner environment. Research findings show that integrative cancer care for the whole person improves quality of life, cancer survival, and cancer prevention.
Learn more to improve quality of life and survival in Body, Mind, Spirit, Social, and Environmental sections, as well as help from a Cancer Coach.