Complementary and Alternative Treatments for Breast Cancer

Nutrition and Supplementation

In addition to following the diet and a supplement recommendations listed under the general "Cancer" entry, you would benefit from the consumption of flaxseed oil. The essential fatty acids in this oil have a protective effect against breast cancer. Take 1 tablespoon daily. Use it or extra virgin, cold-pressed olive oil on your salad.

Soybeans and soy products contain phytoestrogens that help prevent many forms of cancer. Since they are high in protein, soy products are perfect replacements for meat.

The maitake mushroom kills cancer cells by enhancing the activity of T-helper cells, and studies indicate the mushroom helps control breast cancer. It also minimizes the side effects of chemotherapy.

Traditional Chinese Medicine

Acupuncture In China, acupuncture has been used to successfully treat breast cancer in its earliest stage. The thinking is that acupuncture unblocks stagnant chi pathways, allowing vital nutrients to nourish the area while harmful toxins and damaged cells are whisked away.

In a 1987 Russian study, acupuncture waS also shown to lessen radiation-induced nausea and edema in breast cancer patients and to alleviate pain. The same study found that acupuncture improved lymph flow and normalized hemostasis, Another Soviet study followed three women who were confined to their beds with metastatic breast cancer; after undergoing acupuncture treatments, all three patients reported that their pain was gone and their mobility was fully restored,

An Israeli study demonstrated that moxibustion (heated cones or sticks made from the Chinese herb, mugwort, which are used to heat certain acupoints) dramatically improved the post-surgery survival rate of mice that had been injected with breast cancer tumors. Only 40 percent of the mice that received post-op moxibustion treatment died after the surgical removal of the tumor, while the mortality rate for the mice receiving only surgery was 70 percent.

Acupoints that may be manipulated to relieve breast pain include Liver 3, Stomach 18 and 36, Small Intestine 1, Gallbladder 41, and Conception Vessel 17.

Acupressure This modality may be used to improve the flow of chi in breast cancer patients, manage pain, and remedy treatment-related queasiness.

Chinese Herbal Therapy In a study done at Penn State University, a daily dose of garlic was shown to minimize the incidence of breast cancer in mice injected with the carcinogen. In fact, breast cancer affected 90 percent of the rats fed a normal (non-garlic) diet, while only 35 percent of the mice who ate garlic for 2 weeks before and after the injection contracted the disease.

In addition, since Chinese medicine regards bast cancer as resulting from one of three conditions (sluggish chi due to a liver deficiency, dampness due to a malfunctioning spleen, or stagnant toxins throughout the body), various other herbs may be prescribed to counteract any Or all of these conditions. There are many Chinese herb formulations that may be used to minimize the side effects of conventional cancer treatment. Always see a practitioner for a diagnosis first.