On Science and Sensibility: Integrative Cancer Care
Although I took a very proactive approach to managing chemotherapy, I chose not to seek out formal complementary or integrative cancer care during chemotherapy (for example, as offered by the Ottawa Integrative Care Centre). Some friends have done so and found it helpful. Others have fully embraced it to little or no effect. It can be expensive and time consuming - with little firm science on whether or not it's effective. At an anecdotal level, I've had friends with good outcomes with it and others with ineffective outcomes.
My treatment team did not support integrative care. My surgeon, oncologist, and pharmacist rather expressed concern that the efficacy of supplements had not been established and, that some might interfere with the chemotherapy. My pharmacist requested that I stop taking vitamin C, vitamin E and other ‘immune boosting’ things (e.g., turmeric). In their view - a conservative one - boosting immunity during chemotherapy can work against the treatment process. This is one area where conventional care and complementary care are at loggerheads.
However, there may be convergence on the horizon. A recent review article has examined studies on supplementary and dietary vitamin C. The studies suggest that it may have beneficial effect and reduce mortality. Equivocal on vitamin E. [1] The same review article is very positive about vitamin D. I have taken daily Vitamin D supplements – about 2000 mg/d - throughout, given promising findings about its effect on cancer coming out of various clinical trials.
On clinical trials in general, see an article in the Ottawa Citizen, “New approach to clinical trials could revolutionize cancer care” at http://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/new-approach-to-clinical-trials-could-revolutionize-cancer-care .
A recent study may also be of interest:
An Integrated Care Approach: An Integrated Care Approach to Improve Well-Being in Breast Cancer Patients - PMC . [URL: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11021235/
As I reflect on my efforts to manage the side-effects of treatment, I think I did a lot of things that are classed as 'complementary care'. Exercise, meditation, potions and lotions, and staying connected played an important role in keeping my mind, body and soul together. I was all-in on bone broth...
But I also learned to respect 'standard of care' used by my physicians its scientific, research-based, evolving basis. Often prompted by fierce engagement for change and improvement women's breast cancer advocacy.
I am critical and skeptical about 'quack cures' (massive Vitamin C infusions, testimonial books about refusing chemotherapy etc). I'd say, be very cautious - much like 'faith healing,' they pray on our fears and offer unproven and even harmful options. A recent practice guideline may help to sort the wheat from the chaff: Integrative Therapies During and After Breast Cancer Treatment: ASCO Endorsement of the SIO Clinical Practice Guideline | Journal of Clinical Oncology. [URL: https://ascopubs.org/doi/10.1200/JCO.2018.79.2721]
[1] Julia Hamer and Ellen Warner, “Lifestyle modifications for patients with breast cancer to improve prognosis and optimize overall health” (2017) 189:7 CMAJ e268 (online at: http://www.cmaj.ca/content/189/7/E268).