Chinese Medicine Alone is Not Recommended for Cancer Treatment
Both Western medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offer irreplaceable treatment options for cancer patients. Neither form of medicine stands alone in the capacity to treat a disease as complex as cancer. Western medicine has developed the most advanced therapeutics in treating cancer, but many of them come with debilitating side effects. Chinese medicine offers anti-tumor treatment options with very few side effects; but works better in combination with conventional cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation. In fact, using Traditional Chinese Medicine alone without the use of conventional cancer treatment can have a negative impact on clinical outcomes and survival.1 An integrative approach, which incorporates holistic healing methods, such as Traditional Chinese Medicine, with conventional Western medical care, can be the optimal method for treating cancer.
What is Integrative Medicine?
As recognized by the Society of Integrative Oncology, “integrative oncology is a patient-centered, evidence-informed field of cancer care that utilizes mind and body practices, natural products, and/or lifestyle modifications from different traditions alongside conventional treatment.”2 This Integrative medicine aims to improve quality of life and clinical outcomes while optimizing health for cancer patients. This multi-disciplinary approach empowers patients with varying types of cancer to become active participants of their own healing. Integrative oncology prioritizes safety and the best available evidence to target suitable complimentary care to be used alongside conventional cancer treatments.1
Chinese Medicine is Becoming Widely Recognized
Traditional Chinese Medicine has now been established at many major cancer centers as an integral method for managing immediate and delayed cancer-related symptoms as well as promoting healthy lifestyle changes which improve prognosis and quality of life for cancer patients.1 Traditional Chinese Medicine is currently being used to treat common side effects caused by chemotherapy and radiation therapy such as nausea, pain, loss of appetite, increased thirst, irregular bowel movements, lack of energy, and night sweats. As research and clinical results continue to shed light on the efficacy of collaborative, multi-dimensional treatment for cancer patients, integrative oncology moves closer to becoming the standard of care
1Latte-Naor, S. (2019). Managing Patient Expectations: Integrative, Not Alternative. Retrieved February 16, 2021 from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6776429/#_ffn_sectitle
2 Witt, C., Balneaves, L., Cardoso, M., Cohen, L., Greenlee, H., Johnstone, P., Kucuk, O., Mailman, J., & Mao, J. (2017). A Comprehensive Definition for Integrative Oncology. Retrieved February 16, 2021 from https://academic.oup.com/jncimono/article/2017/52/lgx012/4617827
Dr. Alex Osborne; DACM, L.Ac. 
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