Cancer

When a cell loses its normal controls and stops following the rules for replication, repair, and programmed cell death, it becomes cancerous. In some cases, the rogue cell even takes over the command to build blood vessels to supply itself. It replicates rapidly to form a colony, starts in one location, and expands by sending cells through the circulatory system to establish in new areas, eventually taking over an essential organ.

The DNA strand acts as the instruction center of a cell. When certain areas of the DNA are damaged and not repaired properly, the cell loses its ability to function normally.

Many different forces can damage a DNA strand, including free radicals, radiation, certain chemicals, and tobacco.

Depending on the organ and tissue involved, cancer encompasses more than 200 diseases, including lung cancer, breast cancer, and many others.

About 2 in 5 Canadians will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime, and about 1 in 4 will die of cancer.

• Diet imbalance and deficiency in certain nutrients (dietary fiber, antioxidants, essential fatty acids, vitamin D) are linked to cancer development.
• A diet heavy in saturated fat or animal protein contributes to cancer risk.
• Exposure to UV radiation, X-rays, or other high-energy waves, along with certain pollutants and chemicals that damage DNA, is linked to cancer development.
• Being overweight and living a sedentary lifestyle increases the risk.
• Reduced immunity increases the risk.
• Chronic infection or inflammation increases the risk.
• Genetic predisposition: people who carry certain genes have a higher chance of developing cancer. Early prevention is especially important for these individuals.
• Aging is an unavoidable factor that increases the risk.
• Additional risk factors continue to be discovered each year.

For information about dietary prevention, visit the Canadian Cancer Society website.

Early prevention is the best approach to cancer.

Surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy are the main treatment modalities.

In cancer care, acupuncture is most commonly used as an adjunct therapy to help relieve post-surgical pain and side effects from radiation or chemotherapy (such as nausea, fatigue, depression, poor appetite, and poor sleep) and to support patients in completing their treatment course.

Acupuncture can also help protect white and red blood cells from treatment-related damage and speed recovery from the side effects of these therapies.

Chinese herbal medicine can assist immune system recovery after radiation or chemotherapy when managed by an experienced TCM doctor with appropriate caution.

Since early prevention is the best approach to cancer, acupuncture offers benefits by helping manage chronic pain, insomnia, stress, and weight problems. In combination with regular exercise and a healthy diet, acupuncture treatment can support overall health and wellness.

Early detection is also critical. Screening exams such as colonoscopy or fecal occult blood test, mammography, and Pap test can detect precancerous conditions.

According to the WHO report “Acupuncture: Review and Analysis of Reports on Controlled Clinical Trials,” acupuncture provided an immediate analgesic effect similar to that of codeine and pethidine, with a more marked effect after two months of use.

The effect was comparable to that achieved using the analgesic steps recommended by the WHO. Other research demonstrates that acupuncture lessens adverse reactions in the digestive and nervous systems and provides protection against damage to blood-forming cells for patients undergoing radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

$95/session, $45 consultation. 30-45 minute initial consultation.

Alberta Health Care does not cover acupuncture. Most company benefits cover acupuncture when treatment is provided through a Registered Acupuncturist. Contact your HR department or insurance company for coverage details.

Many Calgary cancer patients benefit from our acupuncture therapy for immediate relief of pain and adverse reactions in the digestive and nervous systems, as well as protection against damage to blood cells. It has helped many cancer patients and is a reasonable natural modality with the potential to help. “It works for many” does not mean “it works for you.” As for you, there is only one way to find out.