It’s increasingly common for individuals diagnosed with cancer to explore complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) alongside their conventional treatments. Approximately one-third of cancer patients integrate practices like meditation, yoga, acupuncture, herbal remedies, and supplements into their care regimen. This significant statistic, highlighted by Dr. Nina Sanford from UT Southwestern Medical Center, underscores a crucial conversation between patients and their doctors. Understanding doctors’ perspectives on alternative medicine is vital for ensuring safe and effective cancer treatment.
Dr. Sanford, a specialist in gastrointestinal cancers and Assistant Professor of Radiation Oncology, emphasizes the necessity for patients to openly communicate with their physicians about any CAM practices they are considering or currently using. Her research, published in JAMA Oncology, draws attention to the concerning fact that a notable percentage of patients – 29% in her study – fail to disclose their use of complementary and alternative medicines to their doctors. Reasons for this lack of disclosure range from patients believing their doctors didn’t need to know to simply not being asked.
This lack of transparency is a concern for doctors, particularly when it comes to herbal supplements, the most popular form of alternative medicine according to Dr. Sanford’s analysis of CDC data. Chiropractic and osteopathic manipulation followed as the second most common CAM practices. Dr. Sanford and other cancer specialists voice apprehension about herbal supplements due to the unknown compositions and potential for harmful interactions with conventional cancer treatments like radiation.
“You don’t know what’s in them,” Dr. Sanford cautions regarding herbal supplements. “Some of these supplements are kind of a mishmash of different things. Unless we know what’s in them, I would recommend patients avoid using them during radiation because there’s likely not data on certain supplements, which could interfere with treatment. With radiation specifically, there is concern that very high levels of antioxidants could make radiation less effective.” This expert opinion highlights the critical need for doctors to be informed about all substances a patient is taking to ensure treatment efficacy and patient safety.
Dr. David Gerber, a lung cancer specialist and Professor of Internal Medicine and Population and Data Sciences at UTSW, echoes these concerns, emphasizing the potential for herbal supplements to disrupt traditional cancer treatments. “They may interact with the medicines we’re giving them, and through that interaction it could alter the level of the medicine in the patient,” Dr. Gerber explains. “If the levels get too high, then toxicities increase, and if the levels get too low, the efficacy would drop.” This underscores the delicate balance doctors strive to maintain during cancer treatment and how undisclosed alternative medicines can jeopardize this balance.
Patient stories further illustrate the complexities of alternative medicine use during cancer. Nancy Myers, a 47-year-old cancer survivor, proactively consulted her doctors about using supplements during her treatment from 2015 to 2017. “I would ask the physician, ‘Could I?’ and everyone said, ‘No, we don’t know how that interacts with your conventional medicine,’ so I respected that,” she recounts. Only after completing her treatment did she incorporate supplements like turmeric, omega-3, vitamin D, and vitamin B6. Her experience emphasizes the importance of patient-doctor communication and the cautious approach many doctors advocate during active cancer treatment.
While doctors express caution regarding supplements, they often hold a more favorable view of mind-body practices like meditation and yoga. These practices are increasingly recognized for their ability to help patients manage the emotional and physical challenges of cancer diagnosis and treatment. Ms. Myers herself found solace in meditation and yoga through a smartphone app, noting, “It’s what we can control. We can’t control the whole cancer,” and highlighting the stress-reducing benefits of these practices. Her experience resonates with many in cancer support groups, where alternative medicine use is reportedly widespread.
Belindy Sarembock, a 53-year-old breast cancer survivor from Dallas, initially skeptical of yoga, became a convert during her treatment. “I was one who would have laughed at yoga before breast cancer, but now it just helps me so much,” she shares. “It’s just so relaxing, I just feel so good after I leave. It’s just so peaceful. For your body, I can’t think of anything better than that.” She also experienced tangible physical benefits, finding that yoga alleviated neuropathy pain caused by chemotherapy. “After the second time of going to yoga, I was able to go onto my toes,” she states, recommending yoga to others undergoing cancer treatment.
Dr. Sanford reinforces the positive role of exercise, including yoga, during cancer treatment, stating, “We strongly advise patients to stay active and engage in exercise during treatment. A common side effect of radiation is fatigue. I let the patients know that the patients who feel the most fatigue are the ones who are the most sedentary and that those who are doing exercise are the ones who frequently have the most energy.” This highlights the medical community’s growing acceptance of certain alternative practices as valuable support for cancer patients.
In conclusion, while doctors generally advocate for open communication regarding all forms of complementary and alternative medicine, a nuanced perspective exists. Caution is often advised regarding herbal supplements and other remedies with potential interactions with conventional treatments. Conversely, mind-body practices like yoga and meditation are frequently viewed as beneficial tools for stress management and overall well-being during cancer care. The key message from doctors is clear: transparency and dialogue are paramount. Patients are encouraged to have open and honest conversations with their physicians about any alternative therapies they are considering to ensure a safe, coordinated, and effective approach to cancer care.
