Posted in Integrative Oncology

  Peripheral Neuropathy is a common side-effect of some types of chemotherapy: especially the taxanes (paclitaxel and docetaxel), the platins (cisplatin, carboplatin) and vinca alkaloids (vincristine, vinblastine). It is the tingling or numb sensation in the hands and/or feet, and is caused by nerve damage that occurs from the treatment. It can be quite painful, and may significantly impact fine motor skills and daily function, such as handling utensils, writing, typing and, wh...

  Should patients with cancer exercise? Historically patients with cancer were advised to rest, however these days we know better! Physical activity and targeted exercise are beneficial for cancer prevention, recovery and survival, and should be a part of every cancer management program. The Department of Health and Human Services, the Americal College of Sports Medicine, and the specialist journal Oncology all have published multiple studies and review articles confirming...

  Meditation is no longer associated with highly spiritual people sitting cross legged under a tree. It is becoming increasingly popular even with us common folk, and is proving to be very effective for managing stress and anxiety. A cancer diagnosis is clearly one of the most stressful things that can happen, and clinical studies are showing that Meditation and Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction are very useful and should not be taken for granted. It is easy, safe and free - ...

Twenty-two is such a strange age to endure a life threatening disease. I was almost twenty-three years old, and from down the other end of the phone, from a doctor who was almost not going to bother running tests because I was "so healthy", told me that it was cancer. A late stage, but curable, blood cancer. I was too young to have wisdom under my belt, as were any of my friends trying to comfort me. I was too old to adopt the method of my youth and excitedly stay home...

What are functional foods? Functional foods are foods that have health benefits beyond providing basic nutrition. They have been researched and found to specifically influence health and reduce the risk of disease. Some people may call them superfoods, but there are many unsuspecting foods not labelled as 'super' which are also very beneficial and in fact very functional. A well-known example is the humble oat. Oats contain soluble fibre and beta-glucan which has been shown...