3 Complementary and Alternative Therapies in Cancer Treatment

According to data from the World Health Organization (WHO), cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide, responsible for nearly 10 million deaths in 2020 alone. In addition to conventional treatments like surgery and radiation therapy, many cancer patients turn to integrative medicine therapies to extend their lifespan and improve quality of life.

Integrative medicine is a medical approach that combines conventional therapies (medication and surgery) with complementary and alternative medicine practices that have been shown to be safe and effective. According to the National Institutes of Health, some commonly used complementary and alternative medicine therapies for cancer treatment include traditional Chinese medicine, Ayurvedic medicine, mind-body therapies like meditation and hypnosis, as well as herbal supplements and vitamins.

Cancer, also referred to as malignant tumor, is caused by the abnormal proliferation of certain mutated cells in the human body. These cancerous cells multiply at a rapid rate and are highly invasive and metastatic, leading to tissue and organ damage and resulting in various symptoms. Ultimately, it can lead to organ failure and become life-threatening.

According to the WHO, one-third of cancer deaths are caused by factors such as smoking, high body mass index, alcohol consumption, low intake of fruits and vegetables, and lack of physical activity.

Complementary and alternative therapies are widely used in cancer treatment and can help enhance the body’s self-healing abilities. A study published in the American Journal of Public Health in October 2002 found that 30 percent of male prostate cancer patients in the San Francisco Bay Area (aged 40–89) had used at least one type of complementary and alternative medicine. According to a survey conducted by Datamonitor in 2002, 80 percent of cancer patients have used complementary and alternative medicine therapies.

Here are three complementary and alternative medicine practices commonly used in cancer treatment:

1. Traditional Chinese medicine

There are many methods of treatment in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), with the most common ones being herbal medicine and acupuncture. The focus of TCM in cancer treatment is to boost the body’s immune system and activate its natural ability to fight against cancer.

A study published in the medical journal Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine in June 2013 concluded, based on various in vitro and in vivo evidence and randomized controlled trials, that the use of herbal medicine or acupuncture as complementary and alternative medicine therapies can boost the immune system, relieve pain and fatigue caused by cancer treatment, reduce cell and liver toxicity, as well as inhibit gastrointestinal toxicity, tumor angiogenesis, and other side effects from chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

Acupuncture is a common treatment method that involves stimulating specific acupoints on the meridians through needle insertion or moxibustion (burning dried mugwort on particular points on the body) to regulate the flow and balance of energy in the body.

According to TCM, meridians are the channels of energy in the body, and the internal organs are connected to the surface of the body through these meridians. Acupuncture can be used to treat cancer in different organs by stimulating corresponding acupoints with specific therapeutic effects on the meridians.

Yuen Oi Lin, a registered TCM practitioner from Hong Kong, mentioned in a program that according to TCM theory, when there is a problem with the internal organs, the corresponding acupoints may also be affected, as illness can accumulate in the meridians. Acupuncture at the specific acupoints can accelerate the flow of meridian energy, allowing the illness to disperse more quickly. Combined with herbal medicine, the treatment can be even more effective.

Yuen reported that she successfully treated a young woman with cervical dysplasia using acupuncture and herbal medicine. Cervical dysplasia refers to abnormal cell growth on the surface of the cervix that may lead to cervical cancer. Western medicine typically treats this condition by surgically removing the abnormal cells, and in severe cases, the entire uterus may need to be removed.

Traditional Chinese medicine treatment can also help ease the side effects of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, thereby improving the quality of life for patients. A study published in the oncology-focused journal, Oncotarget, in 2015 found that TCM therapies such as acupuncture and therapeutic massage can reduce post-surgical gastrointestinal distress and fatigue in cancer patients.

2. Meditation therapy

A study published in The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences in December 2021 indicated that meditation can activate the human immune system by influencing the gene expression of immune cells. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 14 percent of adults aged 18 and over in the United States practiced mindfulness meditation in 2017.

A study published in The New England Journal of Medicine in April 2020 pointed out that meditation helps activate specific regions of the brain, suppress stress-induced inflammatory pathways, and increase telomerase expression.

According to traditional Chinese medicine theory, meditation can help unblock the body’s meridians and promote blood circulation, thereby enhancing the immune system. Dr. Hu Naiwen, a traditional Chinese medicine physician at the Shanghai Tong Te Tang in Taipei, Taiwan, pointed out that when sitting in a lotus position, numbness in the feet indicates that blood flow is slowing down. By relaxing in this state, one can improve peripheral neuropathic pain, alleviate nerve damage, and significantly promote blood circulation in the lower limbs.

In a study report published in the journal Cancer in November 2014, 88 breast cancer patients with an average age of 55, who were feeling distressed, were divided into three groups. Each group participated in an 8-week program of meditation, group therapy, or stress management.

The study found that after 8 weeks, the telomere length of the chromosomes remained unchanged in the two groups of patients who participated in meditation and group therapy, while the telomere length of the patients who participated in stress management courses shortened. Telomeres are protective and stabilizing components at the ends of chromosomes. Shorter telomeres are usually associated with diseases, while longer telomeres can have a protective effect on the body.

The study suggested that activities such as mindfulness-based programs, meditation, and group therapy can positively influence the cells of breast cancer survivors, resulting in improved telomere length and increased protective effect of cells. These findings emphasize the positive impact of the mind-body connection on human health.

3. High-dose vitamin D therapy:

In a study published in The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology in May 2019 reported that a patient with ulcerated skin lesions experienced significant clinical improvement after taking high-dose vitamin D (60,000 IU per day) for four consecutive years. Ulcerated skin lesions may be an indicator of skin cancer.

The study suggested that vitamin D could be a potential treatment method, but further research is needed to determine its role in skin cancer treatment.

Currently, the National Institutes of Health recommend a daily vitamin D supplement of 600 IU for adults aged 1 to 70 and 800 IU for those over 70, while cautioning that higher doses may lead to toxicity. However, the aforementioned study suggested that for certain individuals, daily supplementation with what is considered a very high dose of vitamin D may offer health benefits instead of toxicity.

A study published in Nutrients in February 2022 revealed that higher doses of vitamin D were associated with lower incidence and mortality rates of cancer.

Other studies have suggested that vitamin D can lower the risk of certain cancers by affecting the differentiation, proliferation, and apoptosis of cells, and by preventing the formation of new blood vessels that sustain tumor growth, thereby reducing mortality rates and preventing metastasis. However, it is not yet clear whether vitamin D is effective against all types of cancer, and the reasons for cancer development may vary among individuals.

A study conducted in 2016 showed that the risk of developing cancer for women who had serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations above 40 ng/mL was reduced by more than 65 percent, compared to women with concentrations below 20 ng/mL. Another study that followed patients with late-stage or metastatic colorectal cancer found that those who took high-dose vitamin D3 experienced a slower rate of symptom deterioration.

However, it is worth noting that cancer can be caused by multiple factors, such as environmental toxins, smoking, radiation, genetics, and inflammation, many of which cannot be controlled solely by taking vitamin D supplements. Therefore, vitamin D is not a universal cure for all types of cancer, but it might have a significant impact on some individuals.

During cancer treatment, certain complementary and alternative therapies may be used alongside standard treatments with the guidance of a physician, as they may help improve patients’ quality of life. However, it is important to note that some of these therapies may carry potential risks and even interfere with the effectiveness of standard cancer treatment.

The American Cancer Society stresses the importance of talking to your health care team before considering the use of any non-traditional therapies.