ABCDEs FOR MELANOMA

Melanoma is a type of skin cancer and is the seventh most common cancer in Canadians. Risk factors associated with development of melanoma include ultraviolet (UV) exposure from the sun, indoor tanning, having lots of moles (also called nevi) or strange-looking moles, having fair skin, having a family history of skin cancer, some genetic conditions, and having a weakened immune system.

One way in which you can be proactive in at-home screening for melanoma is by taking a look at your moles using the ABCDE rule (see below). Changes in size, shape, colour and other characteristics of a mole are some of the first warning signs of melanoma. The ABCDE rule is helpful for remembering which signs to look out for:

Asymmetry: The shape of one half of the mole is different from the other.

Border: The edges of the mole are ragged, notched, blurred, uneven or poorly defined.

Colour: Colours, which can be brown, black, grey, pink, tan, red, white or bluish vary within the mole.

Diameter: The mole is larger than 6 mm (bigger than the size of a pencil eraser) or has grown in size.

Evolution: The mole is changing in size, colour, shape, texture, or looks different from surrounding moles.

If you have a mole that has any of these characteristics, you should see your family doctor and get it tested.

Written by Dr. Dana Kolenich ND

References:

[1]https://www.cancer.ca/~/media/cancer.ca/CW/cancer%20information/cancer%20101/Canadian%20cancer%20statistics/Canadian-Cancer-Statistics-2019-EN.pdf?la=en

[2] https://www.aafp.org/afp/2012/0115/p161.html

[3] Parmar, G., Kaczor, T., & Boudreau, E. (2020). Textbook of naturopathic oncology: A desktop guide of integrative cancer care. Medicatrix Holdings Ltd.

Integrative Cancer Supports During Treatment for Ovarian Cancer

Indole-3-carbinol (I3C) and epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) combined with conventional therapy for ovarian cancer.

Ovarian cancer is the 7th most common cancer in females [1]. Depending on the stage at diagnosis, treatment typically involves surgery and platinum-based chemotherapy regimens, which have a range of side effects including but not limited to fatigue, nausea and vomiting, pain, insomnia, anemia, and peripheral neuropathy.

A 2018 study published in BMC Cancer looked at the effects of indole-3-carbinol and epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) in addition to chemotherapy and surgery on overall survival [2].

I3C is a natural compound found primarily in cruciferous vegetables (such as broccoli, kale, and Swiss chard), and EGCG is a natural compound found in green tea. This study demonstrated that I3C and EGCG as 5-year maintenance therapy given before, during and after platinum-based neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy and surgery significantly prolonged both progression-free and overall survival in patients with stage III and IV ovarian cancer, and also reduced incidence of ascites in recurrent ovarian cancer patients, compared to conventional therapy alone.

[1] https://www.wcrf.org/dietandcancer/ovarian-cancer

[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6148762/

Written by Dr. Dana Kolenich ND

Acupuncture for neuropathy in Multiple Myeloma patients

Acupuncture for Neuropathy in Multiple Myeloma patients

Multiple myeloma is a common cancer of the blood, specifically the plasma cells (a type of white blood cell that makes antibodies). Abnormal plasma cells divide rapidly and crowd out healthy bone marrow cells, including white blood cells and red blood cells, which can cause anemia, and also lead to bone damage and other organ damage. Tumors, called plasmacytomas, can also develop within bones and outside of bone.

Treatments for multiple myeloma, like proteasome inhibitors, can cause multiple side effects including peripheral neuropathy. In some cases, the severity of peripheral neuropathy may lead to a reduced number of treatment cycles or possible discontinuation of treatment. Therefore, decreasing the severity and incidence of peripheral neuropathy is an important factor in continuing treatment.

Various naturopathic medical therapies have shown benefit in reducing symptoms and severity of peripheral neuropathy, including acupuncture. A 2017 research study in BMC Cancer examined the effects of vitamin B12 with or without acupuncture in multiple myeloma patients with peripheral neuropathy. The study found that after 84 days of therapy, patients in both the vitamin B12 and the B12+acupuncture groups experienced an improvement in pain, with the B12+acupuncture group experiencing a greater improvement in pain compared to the B12-only group [1].

Acupuncture (18 sessions over 8 weeks) has also shown benefit in the treatment of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy in breast cancer survivors [2].

[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5223334/

[2] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32297442/

Written by Dr. Dana Kolenich ND

Fasting-mimicking diet during treatment for Breast Cancer

Fasting-mimicking diet during treatment for Breast Cancer

Cancer cells are well equipped to accumulate nutrients, which are necessary for them to grow and divide rapidly, called proliferation. Short term fasting, which reduces nutrient intake for a period of time causes normal cells to switch from their proliferating or “growing” phase toward a maintenance phase. However, cancer cells are unable to switch off their proliferation phase - and therefore, they are deprived of nutrients, which can make them more sensitive to cancer therapies and increase cell death, all while sparing healthy cells. Fasting mimicking diets have been found to decrease insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), which is a known growth factor for cancer cells.

Research in Nature Communications studied the effect of fasting-mimicking diet surrounding neoadjuvant chemotherapy in HER-2 negative early stage breast cancer patients [1]. The study found that reducing caloric intake three days before and on the day of chemotherapy increased the sensitivity of tumor cells to chemotherapy with no additional side effects compared to those receiving chemotherapy and eating their regular diet. The study also found that fasting-mimicking diet decreased damage to healthy cells compared to those that did not change their diet.

[1] https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-020-16138-3

Written by Dr. Dana Kolenich ND

The Role of Naturopathic Medicine in Integrative Cancer Care

Many people diagnosed with cancer seek out the use of naturopathic therapies. It is important to ensure patients implement naturopathic supports under the direction of a knowledgeable naturopathic doctors. Cancer is a multifaceted disease and each individual’s health journey with cancer is unique. From prevention to active surveillance to receiving conventional care, regardless of where a patient is on their cancer journey, naturopathic medicine can provide support through:

1. Addressing fundamental basics of health: Naturopathic doctors have extensive knowledge about lifestyle, diet, sleep, stress, environmental factors and other fundamental aspects of health. NDs can provide information on optimal dietary and lifestyle choices for pre- and post-surgery, chemotherapy and radiation, as well as during survivorship and for promoting prevention. In addition to diet, naturopathic medicine can support quality sleep,  reduce stress levels, support mental health, and optimize overall health. 

2. Conventional treatment support: Naturopathic medicine can support conventional treatments through implementing evidence-based therapies that can limit or reduce side effects and that work synergistically with conventional care. Naturopathic doctors are trained in interpreting lab reports and understanding safety and interactions between naturopathic and conventional medicines.

3. Education and advocacy: NDs provide education to patients and family members with the goal of empowering patients throughout their journey with cancer. We understand the importance of communications and referrals, and we work alongside a patient’s conventional care team to provide patient-centered comprehensive care. 

A diagnosis of cancer can be overwhelming and take a significant toll on a person’s overall health. Naturopathic doctors  strive to learn about their patients and their experiences in order to provide them with purely individualized care, education and empower them and their loved ones to optimize their health throughout their cancer journey.