The following article covers holistic treatments for colon cancer.
Colon cancer is the third most common cancer in men and women and is the second most common cause of cancer-related death in the US. The five-year survival rate for localized cancer is 90 percent. However, if the lymph nodes become involved, this drops to 68 percent. If the cancer has metastasized (spread to other areas of the body) at the time of diagnosis, the five-year survival rate is 10 percent.
Surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy are conventional treatment pathways for patients with colon cancer. However, between 30 and 75 percent of patients leverage the healing capabilities of complementary and alternative medicines.
Holistic Treatments for Colon Cancer
Holistic treatments for colon cancer work to kill cancer cells, improve overall health, and enhance the quality of life – here are 10 such treatments.
1. Acupuncture
Patients seeking non-pharmacological alternatives to symptom control during their cancer treatment journeys are increasingly turning to acupuncture. Acupuncture is a system of medical treatment in which practitioners apply small needles to specific points across the body. Acupuncture is part of traditional Chinese medicine, with principles founded in Taoism and Confucianism.
Several large-scale studies have examined the efficacy of acupuncture compared to placebo or sham treatments. Results suggest that acupuncture supports pain relief. In addition, animal trials have found that acupuncture can enhance the effects of colon cancer treatments.
In addition to pain relief and treatment enhancement, acupuncture can ease nausea, hot flushes, anxiety, fatigue, and insomnia. The non-invasive procedure is safe with few side effects.
2. Cannabinoids
Medical marijuana can reduce cancer-related symptoms, such as nausea and pain. It can also prohibit cancer growth, with several reports suggesting that cannabinoids and Cannabis sativa extracts can effectively halt cancer proliferation in vitro and in vivo.
3. Exercise
Physical activity is key to unlocking optimal health. According to research, regular exercise may prevent the development of 15 percent of colon cancers. In addition, observational studies have highlighted the anticancer effects of physical activity in colon cancer patients – exercise decreases the risk of both death and recurrence.
The American Cancer Society recommends people engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity exercise each week. This is in addition to incidental exercise like taking the stairs or doing housework.
4. Intravenous (IV) Nutrient Therapy
Intravenous (IV) nutrient therapy invigorates the body at the cellular level, directing vitamins into the bloodstream rather than the digestive system. Some of these nutrients delivered at doses only made possible with IV therapy have pharmacological benefits.
For example, IV therapy is a safe and supportive intervention that decreases inflammation and alleviates symptoms associated with disease processes, such as cancer growth. It can also assist with antioxidant deficiency and reduce the side effects of standard cancer treatments.
5. Herbs and Spices
Several herbs and spices have proven anticancer effects, including the following:
- Apigenin, a flavone found in parsley and chamomile. Apigenin has demonstrated cytotoxic activities (processes that damage cells or cause them to die) against both breast cancer and colon cancer cells. In a separate study, the flavone induced apoptosis (cell death) in human colon cancer cells.
- Rosmarinic acid, found in rosemary. Research has found that this acid prohibited the migration, adhesion, and invasion of colon cancer cells.
- Curcumin, the major component of the spice turmeric, a member of the ginger family. Its anticancer capabilities have been studied for lung metastases, brain tumors, breast cancer, and colon cancer. Critically, curcumin induces apoptosis without damaging healthy cells.
6. Photodynamic Therapy
Developed in Germany, the Weber Laser provides photodynamic therapy using soft, non-damaging lasers that promote healing and regenerate tissue function. It is an interesting and promising approach in cancer treatment, working on biostimulation to trigger the production of beneficial chemicals in the body and increase cellular regeneration.
One study into the potential of photodynamic therapy in the treatment of colon cancer noted that the technology is “rapidly progressing to solve the limitations of standard CRC treatments,” such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
7. Oxygen Therapy
Cancer cells are anaerobic, which means they die in an oxygenated environment. Oxygen therapy increases the blood’s oxygen levels, targeting cancer’s natural weakness. Research has shown that oxygen therapy can suppress tumor growth and progression by inducing apoptosis.
8. BEMER Therapy
For colon cancer patients undergoing conventional cancer treatments, including nuclear, radiation, and chemotherapy, BEMER is a safe, effective, and reliable complementary therapy that uses a low-dose electromagnetic field. Conventional cancer treatments are highly toxic, which can significantly affect quality of life. However, by positively influencing microcirculation, BEMER eliminates free radicals and reduces the common side effects of such treatments.
9. Omega-3 Oils
Found in cold water fish like salmon and sardines and flax seeds, omega-3 oils are anti-inflammatory and, therefore, decrease levels of pro-inflammatory molecules that encourage cancer development.
A study examining the intake of marine omega-3 fatty acids (including EPA, DPA, and DHA) following a colon cancer diagnosis found that patients who consumed the highest amounts of omega-3 had a reduced risk of cancer-related mortality.
10. Primarily Plant-Based Diet
A diet high in red and processed meat is significantly connected to an increased risk of developing colon cancer. There is ample evidence pointing to this conclusion. For example, a meta-analysis of 29 studies of red and processed meat consumption and colon cancer diagnosis found that a high intake of red meat increases risk by 28 percent, and a high intake of processed meat increases risk by 20 percent.
Which Holistic Treatments for Colon Cancer Are Right for Me?
If you have been diagnosed with colon cancer, it can be liberating to know there are holistic therapy options available. At Brio-Medical, we believe your treatment journey should be as unique as you are.
Schedule a consultation with our patient coordinator team today. We’d be more than happy to discuss your health and wellness goals.
References:
- Chan, Doris S M et al. “Red and processed meat and colorectal cancer incidence: meta-analysis of prospective studies.” PloS one vol. 6,6 (2011): e20456. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0020456
- Chen, Shao-Yuan et al. “Hyperbaric oxygen suppressed tumor progression through the improvement of tumor hypoxia and induction of tumor apoptosis in A549-cell-transferred lung cancer.” Scientific reports vol. 11,1 12033. 8 Jun. 2021, doi:10.1038/s41598-021-91454-2
- Lee, Bo Ram et al. “Enhanced Therapeutic Treatment of Colorectal Cancer Using Surface-Modified Nanoporous Acupuncture Needles.” Scientific reports vol. 7,1 12900. 10 Oct. 2017, doi:10.1038/s41598-017-11213-0
- McCulloch, Michael et al. “Colon cancer survival with herbal medicine and vitamins combined with standard therapy in a whole-systems approach: ten-year follow-up data analyzed with marginal structural models and propensity score methods.” Integrative cancer therapies vol. 10,3 (2011): 240-59. doi:10.1177/1534735411406539
- Nompumelelo Simelane, Nokuphila Winifred et al. “Photodynamic diagnosis and photodynamic therapy of colorectal cancer in vitro and in vivo.” RSC advances vol. 10,68 41560-41576. 14 Nov. 2020, doi:10.1039/d0ra08617g
- Oruç, Zeynep, and Muhammed Ali Kaplan. “Effect of exercise on colorectal cancer prevention and treatment.” World journal of gastrointestinal oncology vol. 11,5 (2019): 348-366. doi:10.4251/wjgo.v11.i5.348
- Song, Mingyang et al. “Marine ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid intake and survival after colorectal cancer diagnosis.” Gut vol. 66,10 (2017): 1790-1796. doi:10.1136/gutjnl-2016-311990
- Storch, Katja et al. “BEMER Electromagnetic Field Therapy Reduces Cancer Cell Radioresistance by Enhanced ROS Formation and Induced DNA Damage.” PloS one vol. 11,12 e0167931. 13 Dec. 2016, doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0167931
- Van Hal, Michele, et al. “Acupuncture.” StatPearls, StatPearls Publishing, 31 July 2021.
- Wang, Hu et al. “Plants vs. cancer: a review on natural phytochemicals in preventing and treating cancers and their druggability.” Anti-cancer agents in medicinal chemistry vol. 12,10 (2012): 1281-305. doi:10.2174/187152012803833026
- Xiang, Yan et al. “Evidence of efficacy of acupuncture in the management of low back pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised placebo- or sham-controlled trials.” Acupuncture in medicine : journal of the British Medical Acupuncture Society vol. 38,1 (2020): 15-24. doi:10.1136/acupmed-2017-011445
- Zaiachuk, Mariia et al. “Cannabinoids, Medical Cannabis, and Colorectal Cancer Immunotherapy.” Frontiers in medicine vol. 8 713153. 24 Sep. 2021, doi:10.3389/fmed.2021.713153
