10 Holistic Treatments for Endometrial Cancer

The following article covers holistic treatments for Endometrial Cancer.

Endometrial cancer, sometimes called uterine or corpus cancer, occurs when malignant cells form in the tissues of the endometrium. The endometrium is a highly dynamic tissue that lines the inner walls of the uterus. It plays a crucial role in uterine physiological functions and overall female reproductive health. Most notably, this is where implantation occurs when an egg gets fertilized. And during menstruation, a vascularized layer of the endometrium (stratum functionalis) sheds off, making up most of the menstrual flow.

There are generally two types of uterine cancer: endometrial cancer and uterine sarcoma. But the latter is quite rare, with an annual global incident rate of only 0.5 to 3.3 cases per 100,000 women, while endometrial cancer ranks as the 6^th most common cancer among women worldwide.

The disease is categorized into four stages:

• Stage I – The cancer is found only in the uterus.
• Stage II – The cancer spreads to the cervix.
• Stage III – The cancer spreads to the ovaries, vagina, and inguinal lymph nodes.
• Stage IV – The cancer reaches the rectum, urinary bladder, and other organs far from the uterus.

However, most cases of endometrial cancer are detected and treated during the early low-risk stages due to the disease's unmissable symptoms, such as abnormal vaginal bleeding and pain/discomfort in the pelvic area.

As with most cancers, endometrial cancer treatments revolve around mainstream practices such as radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and surgery. But such treatments are agreeably harsh and cause heavy collateral damage to the patient’s body, leading to unpleasant side effects and prolonged recovery. Fortunately, patients with endometrial cancer can turn to a variety of alternative or holistic remedies that work in place of or alongside conventional anticancer treatments.

Holistic Treatments for Endometrial Cancer

Holistic treatments, commonly termed "natural" or "alternative" medicine, cater to the patient’s overall physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. While conventional medicine focuses on curing disease, holistic practices aim to heal the person as a whole through balance and wellness.

Holistic treatments are based on techniques that coach, stimulate, or support the body to heal itself by addressing the root of the disease and not just its symptoms.

Here are 10 proven holistic treatments for endometrial cancer:

Hormone Therapy

Hormone therapy works by suppressing some hormones while stimulating others. Most endometrial tumors are hormone receptor-positive, meaning that certain hormones, particularly estrogen, and progesterone, can affect their physiology. Generally, lower levels of progesterone and higher levels of estrogen promote the growth and recurrence of endometrial cancer. Endocrine action can be controlled using progestins, selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERM), aromatase inhibitors, and gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogs, among other hormonal agents.

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy uses drugs and natural agents to stimulate the patient’s innate immune system to fight cancer. Patients are usually treated using immune checkpoint inhibitors, immune systems modulators, and targeted antibodies. One study points out that immunotherapy is a promising and effective treatment, especially for those seeking fertility-preserving remedies for uterine cancer. Another win for immunotherapy is the FDA’s recent approval of Dostarlimab, a monoclonal antibody sold under the brand name Jemperli, for treating advanced and recurred endometrial cancer.

Nutrition Therapy

Nutrition therapy is about developing and sticking to a dietary regimen that helps fight cancer. A meta-analysis of 27 studies found that the risk of endometrial cancer was higher in women with a Western-style dietary pattern —characterized by a high intake of saturated fat, red meat, sugar, and refined grains. Opting for a healthier and more balanced diet containing fresh fruit, leafy vegetables, and whole grains can help improve the patient’s response to cancer treatments.

Low-Dose Metronomic Chemotherapy

Insulin potentiation therapy improves the effectiveness of chemotherapy while reducing its side effects by maximizing the potency of chemo drugs in low doses. During treatment, insulin is injected intravenously at regular intervals. The insulin binds to cancer cells, making their cell membrane more permeable and therefore more susceptible to anticancer drugs. A three-year study in Low-Dose Metronomic Chemotherapy found that cancer patients treated with chemotherapy in conjunction with insulin exhibited lower toxicity levels and reported significant improvement in their quality of life.

Vitamin C IV Therapy

High-dose vitamin C is given by IV infusion as a supplemental cancer treatment. Several clinical and lab studies demonstrate vitamin C’s potential in suppressing tumor growth mainly through the production of hydrogen peroxide, which is toxic to cancer cells, and its antioxidative properties.

Mind-Body Practices

Mindfulness and wellness practices such as meditation, yoga, acupuncture, massage, fitness exercises, and professional counseling go a long way in relieving a cancer patient’s mental and emotional agony. Healing the mind and soul also promotes physical health, making patients more responsive to treatments while helping them cope with the unavoidable side effects and symptoms.

Ozone Therapy

Ozone (O₃) is a gaseous 3-atom allotrope of oxygen. In ozone therapy for cancer treatment, the gas is administered through intravenous (IV) infusion, ozone saunas, or rectal insufflation. O₃ therapy works against cancer by boosting natural immunity, rejuvenating healthy cells, and relieving the pain caused by illness. Researchers already acknowledge ozone therapy as a supplemental cancer treatment, although more clinical studies are needed to understand the connection between ozone and cancer fully.

Herbal Therapy

This involves using natural herbs to treat cancer. Herbal therapy is a staple in ancient medicine that’s quickly gaining new relevance in modern oncology through nutrition therapy, biophotonic therapy, and other niche applications. Case in point: popular anticancer agents, including some vinca alkaloids, taxanes, epipodophyllotoxins, and camptothecin, are derived from plants.

Researchers have looked into the anticancer properties of various herbs and have come up with promising results. For instance, one study found that curcumin significantly hindered endometrial tumor growth. And another group of researchers discovered an endocrine-based link between two herbal medications and endometrial cancer treatment.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT)

During hyperbaric oxygen therapy, the patient is exposed to 100% oxygen at about 1.5 atm in a pressurized chamber. This supercharges the oxygen level in the blood, which stimulates stem cell growth, energizes healthy cells, relieves pain, and encourages natural healing. Scientific evidence proves that HBOT can safely ease the side effects of radiotherapy and inhibit tumor growth.

Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) Therapy

A PEMF therapy machine sends high-intensity magnetic energy into the patient’s body. This triggers electrical changes in the cells that stimulate metabolism and heal dysfunctional cells. Studies confirm that PEMF therapy is a safe and effective cancer management approach that can be paired with other treatments to optimize results.

Explore Holistic Medicine with Brio-Medical

It’s never too early or late to try holistic therapies to treat and manage endometrial cancer. And it doesn’t matter whether you’re already on other medications, preparing for surgery, or recovering from surgery. The important thing is to consult a doctor first in order to develop a personalized treatment plan based on your prognosis, lifestyle, and overall health status. Talk to cancer and holistic therapy professionals at Brio-Medical to learn more about the alternative cancer treatment options available to you.

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