The following article covers holistic treatments for melanoma.
Melanoma is the most dangerous type of skin cancer. And once it’s metastasized, it’s harder to treat. However, it’s also a type of cancer that’s significantly impacted by a strong immune system, which is why fortifying the body’s natural ability to fight melanoma is so important.
Holistic treatments for melanoma offer a non-toxic, non-invasive path toward wellness. They can be used to enhance immune health, support healing, and minimize the adverse side effects caused by conventional cancer treatments like chemotherapy and radiation.
Holistic medicine can help the body attack melanoma cells, enhance the effects of a conventional melanoma treatment plan, and bolster the immune system so the cancer is less likely to return.
Holistic Treatments for Melanoma
Here are ten holistic treatments for melanoma worth exploring.
1. Nutritional Counseling
Nutrition plays a big role in melanoma prevention. Knowing what foods to eat can also benefit people who are fighting this type of skin cancer and those who want to prevent a recurrence.
Studies show that eating foods high in retinol – such as dark leafy greens, orange and yellow fruits and vegetables, and oily fish – can lower the risk of developing melanoma by 20% [1].
It may also be worth adding foods high in:
- Lycopene (red bell peppers, watermelon, asparagus, and tomatoes)
- Resveratrol (grapes, blueberries, cranberries, and cocoa)
- Epigallocatechin-3-gallate or EGCG (green, white, and black tea)
- Rosmarinic acid (rosemary, sage, oregano, and thyme)
These natural compounds have all demonstrated anticancer effects on melanoma [2].
2. Hydrotherapy
Hydrotherapy is a well-known alternative therapy for pain relief. Hot water applications relax muscles and ease soreness, while cold water therapy stimulates blood flow [3]. But there’s also evidence indicating hydrotherapy can play an important role in holistic cancer treatment.
Regular whole-body exposure to cold water – such as submerging in a cold bath or five to seven minutes of cold swimming – can increase the activity of natural killer (NK) cells and increase antitumor activity [4].
NK cells detect and target tumor cells in the body and are an essential part of the innate immune response. Melanoma is one of the types of cancer that can develop ways to evade recognition by NK cells, which is why medical researchers are looking for ways to augment NK cell response to help treat this disease [5].
Currently, there are clinical trials going on to evaluate how immunotherapy might target natural killer cells to increase their anticancer activity toward melanoma. But, cold water therapy is a safe treatment that cancer patients can use now to boost immune health and support NK cell activity.
3. Ozone Therapy
Ozone therapy – the use of ozone in a medical setting to treat disease – is one of the most promising new therapeutics in oncology. Studies show that, in vitro, ozone damages tumor cells and enhances the effects of traditional cancer treatments [6]. It also may help offset the effects of chemotherapy-induced toxicity by stimulating an adaptive antioxidant response in healthy tissue [7].
Ozone sauna can be beneficial for melanoma because it also helps to detoxify the body and cleanse the lymph tissue of toxins. Melanoma spreads to the lymph nodes before traveling to other parts of the body.
In an ozone sauna, an individual benefits from the detoxifying and relaxing benefits of the sauna, as well as the effects of oxygen and ozone to detox the lymphatic system and speed healing.
4. Curcumin IV Therapy
Research shows that curcumin can effectively block melanoma cells from spreading [8]. It’s also an important antioxidant for supporting overall health – curcumin is known to reduce inflammation, support kidney health, and protect cells from free radical damage [9].
While this polyphenol is found naturally in turmeric root, most people don’t get enough curcumin from their diet to experience the health benefits. This is because it’s not easy for the body to absorb. With curcumin IV therapy, however, 100% of the curcumin is absorbed into the bloodstream.
5. Exercise Medicine
Movement is medicine. And for individuals suffering from melanoma, it can also help improve quality of life and minimize the side effects of surgery. Studies show that regular exercise leads to a significant reduction in lymphedema after surgical removal of melanoma. It’s also linked with a better quality of life for melanoma survivors [10].
6. Acupuncture
Acupuncture is an excellent holistic treatment option for melanoma, and it’s widely used at integrative and holistic cancer treatment centers across the country. There’s evidence that it can help to strengthen the immune system, helping the body defend itself from cancer cells [11].
It’s also useful for managing the side effects of cancer drugs and supporting the body’s healing process after undergoing conventional cancer treatments [12]. Research shows it’s effective for relieving fatigue, cancer-related pain, and lessening chemotherapy-induced nausea.
7. Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine
Herbs are high in antioxidants and other bioactive compounds that support healing and strengthen the body. They’re also an important part of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and have been used for centuries to treat disease.
There are many TCM herbs that can be used in a holistic treatment plan for melanoma. For instance, reishi mushrooms have been shown to increase the activity of natural killer cells in advanced-stage cancer patients. An herbal blend with astragali and Angelicae sinensis radix also boosts the number of NK cells as well as cytotoxic T lymphocytes, which are another type of cancer-fighting white blood cells. And licorice root suppresses tumor growth [13].
8. Massage Therapy
Massage can help to increase blood circulation, reduce stress, and improve immune function [14]. Aside from being a foundational tool for overall health, specialized massage therapy can help melanoma patients with specific issues. For example, lymphatic drainage massage can help with swelling from fluid build-up after cancer treatment, and aromatherapy massage can relieve anxiety caused by radiation treatment [15].
9. Low-Level Light Therapy
For individuals looking for a non-toxic therapy to reduce pain and improve tissue repair after melanoma surgery, low-level light therapy (LLLT) – also known as red light therapy – is a good option.
It works by energizing the body’s cells and promoting healing. Researchers have found that low-level light therapy doesn’t increase tumor growth, making it safe even when a cancer patient has a malignant lesion [16].
10. Berberine Supplements
Berberine is a bioactive compound found in plants in the Berberidaceae family, such as goldenseal and barberry. With a wealth of research behind it, it’s one of the most impressive natural supplements available today. Studies show that it has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anticancer benefits. It’s also been shown to suppress the spread of cancer cells for several types of cancer, including melanoma [17].
Take the First Step Toward Better Health
Fighting melanoma can be a scary experience. But there are tools available that you can use on your healing journey. Find out about the holistic treatment options that can help your body heal – contact the experienced team of physicians and specialists at Brio- Medical today.
References for holistic treatments for melanoma:
[1] Zhang, Yun-Ping et al. “Vitamin A intake and risk of melanoma: a meta-analysis.” PloS one vol. 9,7 e102527. 21 Jul. 2014, doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0102527
[2] Tong, Lana X, and Lorraine C Young. “Nutrition: the future of melanoma prevention?.” Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology vol. 71,1 (2014): 151-60. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2014.01.910
[3] Nagaich, Upendra. “Hydrotherapy: Tool for preventing illness.” Journal of advanced pharmaceutical technology & research vol. 7,3 (2016): 69. doi:10.4103/2231-4040.184586
[4] Shevchuk, Nikolai A, and Sasa Radoja. “Possible stimulation of anti-tumor immunity using repeated cold stress: a hypothesis.” Infectious agents and cancer vol. 2 20. 13 Nov. 2007, doi:10.1186/1750-9378-2-20
[5] Lee, Hansol et al. “Targeting NK Cells to Enhance Melanoma Response to Immunotherapies.” Cancers vol. 13,6 1363. 17 Mar. 2021, doi:10.3390/cancers13061363
[6] Clavo, Bernardino et al. “Ozone Therapy as Adjuvant for Cancer Treatment: Is Further Research Warranted?.” Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM vol. 2018 7931849. 9 Sep. 2018, doi:10.1155/2018/7931849
[7] Clavo, Bernardino et al. “Modulation of Oxidative Stress by Ozone Therapy in the Prevention and Treatment of Chemotherapy-Induced Toxicity: Review and Prospects.” Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland) vol. 8,12 588. 26 Nov. 2019, doi:10.3390/antiox8120588
[8] Tang, Youqun, and Yanming Cao. “Curcumin Inhibits the Growth and Metastasis of Melanoma via miR-222-3p/SOX10/Notch Axis.” Disease markers vol. 2022 3129781. 9 May. 2022, doi:10.1155/2022/3129781
[9] Hewlings, Susan J, and Douglas S Kalman. “Curcumin: A Review of Its Effects on Human Health.” Foods (Basel, Switzerland) vol. 6,10 92. 22 Oct. 2017, doi:10.3390/foods6100092
[10] Crosby, Brendan J et al. “Associations of Physical Activity and Exercise with Health-related Outcomes in Patients with Melanoma During and After Treatment: A Systematic Review.” Integrative cancer therapies vol. 20 (2021): 15347354211040757. doi:10.1177/15347354211040757
[11] Johnston, Michael Francis et al. “Acupuncture May Stimulate Anticancer Immunity via Activation of Natural Killer Cells.” Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM vol. 2011 (2011): 481625. doi:10.1093/ecam/nep236
[12] Lu, Weidong et al. “The value of acupuncture in cancer care.” Hematology/oncology clinics of North America vol. 22,4 (2008): 631-48, viii. doi:10.1016/j.hoc.2008.04.005
[13] Hoffman, Robert D et al. “Chinese Herbal Medicine and Its Regulatory Effects on Tumor Related T Cells.” Frontiers in pharmacology vol. 11 492. 21 Apr. 2020, doi:10.3389/fphar.2020.00492
[14] Mayo Clinic Staff. “Massage Therapy.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, February 12, 2021, https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/massage-therapy/about/pac-20384595.
[15] Sagar, S M et al. “Massage therapy for cancer patients: a reciprocal relationship between body and mind.” Current oncology (Toronto, Ont.) vol. 14,2 (2007): 45-56. doi:10.3747/co.2007.105
[16] Myakishev-Rempel, Max et al. “A preliminary study of the safety of red light phototherapy of tissues harboring cancer.” Photomedicine and laser surgery vol. 30,9 (2012): 551-8. doi:10.1089/pho.2011.3186
[17] Liu, Jia-Fang et al. “Berberine Inhibits Human Melanoma A375.S2 Cell Migration and Invasion via Affecting the FAK, uPA, and NF-κB Signaling Pathways and Inhibits PLX4032 Resistant A375.S2 Cell Migration In Vitro.” Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) vol. 23,8 2019. 13 Aug. 2018, doi:10.3390/molecules23082019
