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DrLisaSchwartz
(Physician
- Oncology - Radiation
(Verified)
)
| Communities: Breast Cancer | Thank You's: 4 |
| Member Since: Nov. 2011 | Questions: 28 |
| Answers: 40 |
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Professional Statement
I am a board certified radiation oncologist and internist practicing integrative medicine. After practicing radiation oncology for a number of years, I was motivated by my patients’ use of complementary medicine to learn more about it. I completed a masters degree in Traditional Oriental Medicine and then an associate fellowship in Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona under Dr. Andrew Weil.
My clinical interests include the integration of conventional medicine with evidence-based complementary therapies aimed at improving a patient’s tolerance of cancer treatment and overall outcomes. My recommendations often include advice on nutritional strategies, lifestyle changes, and complementary therapies that have an impact on a patient’s survival and quality of life.
My clinical interests include the integration of conventional medicine with evidence-based complementary therapies aimed at improving a patient’s tolerance of cancer treatment and overall outcomes. My recommendations often include advice on nutritional strategies, lifestyle changes, and complementary therapies that have an impact on a patient’s survival and quality of life.
Professional Info
Credential:
MD
Primary specialty:
Oncology - Radiation
Secondary specialty:
Internal Medicine
State Licenses:
CA, NC
Languages:
English
Gender: Female
Medical school:
Medical University of South Carolina
Residency:
Wake Forest University School of Medicine
Internship:
Wake Forest University School of Medicine
Fellowship:
Associate Fellow in Integrative Medicine Univ. of AZ, Masters Degree in Traditional Oriental Medicine
Board certifications:
Radiation Oncology, Internal Medicine
Professional memberships:
ASCO, ASTRO
Areas of expertise:
Integrative Oncology, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Complementary therapies for oncology patients, acupuncture
Awards and publications:
Schwartz LM: “Complementary and Alternative Medicine in the Older Cancer Patient.” In Management of Cancer in the Older Patient, edited by Naeim A, Reuben D, Ganz P, 195-204. Philadelphia: Elsevier Saunders, 2012.
Practice address:
Burbank, CA
91505
Practice phone number:
818-748-4701
Webpage:
http://OncoTrust.weebly.com
Personal Bio (My story)
I have two dogs, both rescues. I love to ski, bike, hike, and travel.
DrLisaSchwartz Activities
Acupuncture can be considered very safe when delivered by a well-trained practitioner. Expected side effects of acupuncture could include discomfort during needle insertion or manipulation, minor bruising, and tiny amounts of blood at the needle insertion site (really tiny). There are some treatments in Chinese Medicine that can cause more bruising (cupping or gua sha) and bleeding (there is a procedure called bleeding for which that is the goal of therapy). The degree of discomfort one might feel during needle insertion and manipulation is dependent on the practitioner and the patient. Acupuncturists feel for a da qi sensation when inserting a needle and some patients may find this uncomfortable. Always inform the acupuncturist if you are experiencing any discomfort.
Acupuncture can help with the side effects of cancer medications. We have good clinical trials to support using it for nausea, fatigue, low blood counts, and peripheral neuropathy to name a few. Acupuncture can be considered very safe when delivered by a well-trained practitioner. Expected side effects of acupuncture could include discomfort during needle insertion or manipulation, minor bruising, and tiny amounts of blood at the needle insertion site (really tiny). There are some treatments in Chinese Medicine that can cause more bruising (cupping or gua sha) and bleeding (there is a procedure called bleeding for which that is the goal of therapy). The degree of discomfort one might feel during needle insertion and manipulation is dependent on the practitioner and the patient. Acupuncturists feel for a da qi sensation when inserting a needle and some patients may find this uncomfortable. Always inform the acupuncturist if you are experiencing any discomfort.
Acupuncture can help with the side effects of cancer medications. We have good clinical trials to support using it for nausea, fatigue, low blood counts, and peripheral neuropathy to name a few.
Acupuncture can help with the side effects of cancer medications. We have good clinical trials to support using it for nausea, fatigue, low blood counts, and peripheral neuropathy to name a few. Acupuncture can be considered very safe when delivered by a well-trained practitioner. Expected side effects of acupuncture could include discomfort during needle insertion or manipulation, minor bruising, and tiny amounts of blood at the needle insertion site (really tiny). There are some treatments in Chinese Medicine that can cause more bruising (cupping or gua sha) and bleeding (there is a procedure called bleeding for which that is the goal of therapy). The degree of discomfort one might feel during needle insertion and manipulation is dependent on the practitioner and the patient. Acupuncturists feel for a da qi sensation when inserting a needle and some patients may find this uncomfortable. Always inform the acupuncturist if you are experiencing any discomfort.
Acupuncture can help with the side effects of cancer medications. We have good clinical trials to support using it for nausea, fatigue, low blood counts, and peripheral neuropathy to name a few.
New answer by DrLisaSchwartz (Physician - Oncology - Radiation (Verified))
1
Answer |
8 days ago
Acupuncture is one of the more commonly used forms of complementary therapies. As a consequence, we do have a lot of clinical trial information about the usefulness of acupuncture for a variety of ills. Many of these trials, however have not been conducted well or have limitations. It is difficult to do standardized research studies with acupuncture for several reasons including finding an acceptable placebo (“sham” acupuncture is considered to have some therapeutic effect and is therefore not a placebo), blinding the patient and researcher (not knowing whether they are getting the intervention or the placebo is called “blinding”), and the fact that acupuncture treatments are individualized and vary from one visit to the next. In spite of that, the World Health Organization has published a list of the symptoms and illnesses for which there is enough evidence to recommend the use of acupuncture. Here is a link to some lists: http://www.acucouncil.org/conditions_treated.htm
Acupuncture is one of the more commonly used forms of complementary therapies. As a consequence, we do have a lot of clinical trial information about the usefulness of acupuncture for a variety of ills. Many of these trials, however have not been conducted well or have limitations. It is difficult to do standardized research studies with acupuncture for several reasons including finding an acceptable placebo (“sham” acupuncture is considered to have some therapeutic effect and is therefore not a placebo), blinding the patient and researcher (not knowing whether they are getting the intervention or the placebo is called “blinding”), and the fact that acupuncture treatments are individualized and vary from one visit to the next. In spite of that, the World Health Organization has published a list of the symptoms and illnesses for which there is enough evidence to recommend the use of acupuncture. Here is a link to some lists: http://www.acucouncil.org/conditions_treated.htm
New answer by DrLisaSchwartz (Physician - Oncology - Radiation (Verified))
1
Answer |
8 days ago
This is a great question and we have pre-clinical research looking at the cancer killing ability of some of the natural forms of vitamin E (d-alpha tocopherol is found in most supplements and may not have this activity). There have been a couple of disappointing clinical trials in using Vit E for cancer prevention, however. The most highly publicized have been the ATBC Trial and the SELECT Trial looking at the prevention of lung cancer in smokers and prostate cancer in men, respectively. Unfortunately, neither trial showed a benefit to taking vitamin E for cancer prevention. I recommend that you take a multivitamin with just 100% of the US RDA of Vitamin E. You don’t need extra (and it may increase your risk of heart disease at high enough dose). If you can find a multi which lists its vitamin E as mixed tocopherols and tocotrienols that’s a bonus.
This is a great question and we have pre-clinical research looking at the cancer killing ability of some of the natural forms of vitamin E (d-alpha tocopherol is found in most supplements and may not have this activity). There have been a couple of disappointing clinical trials in using Vit E for cancer prevention, however. The most highly publicized have been the ATBC Trial and the SELECT Trial looking at the prevention of lung cancer in smokers and prostate cancer in men, respectively. Unfortunately, neither trial showed a benefit to taking vitamin E for cancer prevention. I recommend that you take a multivitamin with just 100% of the US RDA of Vitamin E. You don’t need extra (and it may increase your risk of heart disease at high enough dose). If you can find a multi which lists its vitamin E as mixed tocopherols and tocotrienols that’s a bonus.
New answer by DrLisaSchwartz (Physician - Oncology - Radiation (Verified))
1
Answer |
8 days ago
You should be able to tell your integrative medicine physician the type of cancer you have, the stage, and the specific treatment you are receiving (names of chemo drugs, whether or not you are getting radiation, etc.). Have the names and doses of your regular medications as well as all the other info you normally give to a doc (surgeries, family history, other illnesses, allergies, etc). Either bring your supplements with you or have the brand name and amount that you are taking. I usually ask for the supplement information ahead of time so that I can research the products for my patients. Most importantly, bring an open mind and a willingness to make some changes in your life.
You should be able to tell your integrative medicine physician the type of cancer you have, the stage, and the specific treatment you are receiving (names of chemo drugs, whether or not you are getting radiation, etc.). Have the names and doses of your regular medications as well as all the other info you normally give to a doc (surgeries, family history, other illnesses, allergies, etc). Either bring your supplements with you or have the brand name and amount that you are taking. I usually ask for the supplement information ahead of time so that I can research the products for my patients. Most importantly, bring an open mind and a willingness to make some changes in your life.
New answer by DrLisaSchwartz (Physician - Oncology - Radiation (Verified))
1
Answer |
8 days ago
Each patient is different, obviously, but there are some basics that I include in every consultation. First, I review their diagnosis and treatment plan with them. Usually I ask about their feelings and beliefs around health, illness, and life in general. We spend time discussing the impact that a healthy lifestyle has on survival, emotional well-being, and quality of life. This involves discussing exercise, good nutrition, and a healthy relaxation practice. I usually teach a simple meditation or breathing exercise. We go over some of the anticipated side effects of treatment and the complementary therapies that can help with those. We also discuss which nutritional supplements are healthy and can be used during treatment and which are to be avoided.
Each patient is different, obviously, but there are some basics that I include in every consultation. First, I review their diagnosis and treatment plan with them. Usually I ask about their feelings and beliefs around health, illness, and life in general. We spend time discussing the impact that a healthy lifestyle has on survival, emotional well-being, and quality of life. This involves discussing exercise, good nutrition, and a healthy relaxation practice. I usually teach a simple meditation or breathing exercise. We go over some of the anticipated side effects of treatment and the complementary therapies that can help with those. We also discuss which nutritional supplements are healthy and can be used during treatment and which are to be avoided.
New answer by DrLisaSchwartz (Physician - Oncology - Radiation (Verified))
1
Answer |
8 days ago
Turmeric is a spice commonly used in traditional Indian cooking and medicine. It accounts for the deep yellow color of some curries. Curcumin is a chemical found in turmeric that has some activity against cancer cells in a laboratory. Turmeric is mainly used for its anti-inflammatory properties. A search of the National Cancer Institute database on clinical trials did not reveal any human trials on cancer prevention with turmeric. This is still being investigated in the lab, and if successful there, will move on to human trials.
Turmeric is a spice commonly used in traditional Indian cooking and medicine. It accounts for the deep yellow color of some curries. Curcumin is a chemical found in turmeric that has some activity against cancer cells in a laboratory. Turmeric is mainly used for its anti-inflammatory properties. A search of the National Cancer Institute database on clinical trials did not reveal any human trials on cancer prevention with turmeric. This is still being investigated in the lab, and if successful there, will move on to human trials.
New answer by DrLisaSchwartz (Physician - Oncology - Radiation (Verified)) in topic(s) Health, Cancer Prevention, Integrative Treatments, Integrative Medicine, Integrative Therapies, Diet, Complementary And Alternative Medicine, Food, Nutrition, Turmeric
1
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1 month ago
White flour is highly processed as compared to whole grains. White flour and other processed foods should be avoided as part of a healthy diet. White flour and white sugar have a high glycemic index/load. When you eat them their sugar is immediately absorbed and causes a spike in blood sugar followed by a spike in insulin. This can ultimately lead to insulin resistance and the development of diabetes.
White flour is highly processed as compared to whole grains. White flour and other processed foods should be avoided as part of a healthy diet. White flour and white sugar have a high glycemic index/load. When you eat them their sugar is immediately absorbed and causes a spike in blood sugar followed by a spike in insulin. This can ultimately lead to insulin resistance and the development of diabetes.
New answer by DrLisaSchwartz (Physician - Oncology - Radiation (Verified)) in topic(s) Cancer Prevention, Health, Integrative Medicine, Complementary And Alternative Medicine, Nutrition, Food
1
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1 month ago
For most patients, it will be safe to take a multivitamin during chemotherapy and radiation that does not contain more than 100% of the US RDA. This is certainly reasonable since it is often difficult to “eat well” during treatment. An exception might be patients who are receiving 5-FU based chemotherapy. There is an interaction between 5-FU and folic acid that can make dosing and managing side effects problematic. Check with your oncologist on that one.
For most patients, it will be safe to take a multivitamin during chemotherapy and radiation that does not contain more than 100% of the US RDA. This is certainly reasonable since it is often difficult to “eat well” during treatment. An exception might be patients who are receiving 5-FU based chemotherapy. There is an interaction between 5-FU and folic acid that can make dosing and managing side effects problematic. Check with your oncologist on that one.
New answer by DrLisaSchwartz (Physician - Oncology - Radiation (Verified)) in topic(s) Integrative Treatments, Integrative Medicine, Integrative Therapy, Complementary And Alternative Medicine, Vitamins, Cancer Treatments, Vitamin Supplements
1
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1 month ago
Vitamin D is one hot topic these days, and it’s easy to get carried away with the enthusiasm. What we know about vitamin D and cancer prevention is this: we’re not sure. The studies that have been done looking at an association of vitamin D levels and cancer incidence have been mixed with regard to whether or not vitamin D is associated with a lower risk of cancer. I stress the word “association” here. We really don’t know if there is any causal relationship between vitamin D and cancer incidence. People who have normal vitamin D levels or who are taking vitamin D supplements may have other lifestyle factors that contribute to their overall good health. A randomized controlled clinical trial would be the gold standard to establish a causal relationship and we don’t have one yet. I recommend that you have your vitamin D level checked by your primary care physician and I think it is reasonable for most people to take a vitamin D supplement.
Vitamin D is one hot topic these days, and it’s easy to get carried away with the enthusiasm. What we know about vitamin D and cancer prevention is this: we’re not sure. The studies that have been done looking at an association of vitamin D levels and cancer incidence have been mixed with regard to whether or not vitamin D is associated with a lower risk of cancer. I stress the word “association” here. We really don’t know if there is any causal relationship between vitamin D and cancer incidence. People who have normal vitamin D levels or who are taking vitamin D supplements may have other lifestyle factors that contribute to their overall good health. A randomized controlled clinical trial would be the gold standard to establish a causal relationship and we don’t have one yet. I recommend that you have your vitamin D level checked by your primary care physician and I think it is reasonable for most people to take a vitamin D supplement.
New answer by DrLisaSchwartz (Physician - Oncology - Radiation (Verified)) in topic(s) Cancer Prevention, Health, Integrative Treatments, Integrative Medicine, Integrative Therapy, Vitamin D, Nutrition
1
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1 month ago
There are some situations in which a cancer patient may want to be sure to drink more water than usual. Some of these situations would include having nausea or diarrhea during treatment (these can lead to dehydration), receiving treatment that makes it difficult to swallow, or getting a chemotherapy that is potentially toxic to the kidneys. The question remains, how much water is enough? That can depend on a lot of factors (physical activity, humidity in the environment, amount of perspiration) and can vary from one individual to another. The Institute of Medicine recommends about 13 cups for men and 9 cups for women as a general guideline. Logic would dictate that you certainly need enough to prevent dehydration. Some of the symptoms of dehydration include fatigue, headache, lightheadedness, dry mouth and skin, decreased urination, constipation, and of course thirst.
There are some situations in which a cancer patient may want to be sure to drink more water than usual. Some of these situations would include having nausea or diarrhea during treatment (these can lead to dehydration), receiving treatment that makes it difficult to swallow, or getting a chemotherapy that is potentially toxic to the kidneys. The question remains, how much water is enough? That can depend on a lot of factors (physical activity, humidity in the environment, amount of perspiration) and can vary from one individual to another. The Institute of Medicine recommends about 13 cups for men and 9 cups for women as a general guideline. Logic would dictate that you certainly need enough to prevent dehydration. Some of the symptoms of dehydration include fatigue, headache, lightheadedness, dry mouth and skin, decreased urination, constipation, and of course thirst.
New answer by DrLisaSchwartz (Physician - Oncology - Radiation (Verified)) in topic(s) Health, Integrative Treatments, Integrative Medicine, Integrative Therapies, Diet, Nutrition, Water
1
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1 month ago
Warning signs that you are dealing someone of questionable ethics when it comes to cancer care are:
• They promise you a cure that conventional treatment won’t give you
• They are asking you to spend a significant amount of money on treatment. Most complementary therapies are not covered by insurance, but watch out for those who are asking for a significant amount of money from you for their treatment.
• They recommend that you discontinue treatment with your oncologist. There may come a time when you choose to discontinue treatment with your oncologist but that’s a conversation that you should have with him or her and usually after potentially curative therapies have been exhausted or the side effects of therapy outweigh any potential benefits.
• They have a miracle cure that the FDA won’t approve.
• Ask about whether or not there are published studies on the effectiveness of the treatment they are recommending for you.
• Be careful if they tell you there are no risks or side effects
• Use your common sense…if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Warning signs that you are dealing someone of questionable ethics when it comes to cancer care are:
• They promise you a cure that conventional treatment won’t give you
• They are asking you to spend a significant amount of money on treatment. Most complementary therapies are not covered by insurance, but watch out for those who are asking for a significant amount of money from you for their treatment.
• They recommend that you discontinue treatment with your oncologist. There may come a time when you choose to discontinue treatment with your oncologist but that’s a conversation that you should have with him or her and usually after potentially curative therapies have been exhausted or the side effects of therapy outweigh any potential benefits.
• They have a miracle cure that the FDA won’t approve.
• Ask about whether or not there are published studies on the effectiveness of the treatment they are recommending for you.
• Be careful if they tell you there are no risks or side effects
• Use your common sense…if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
• They promise you a cure that conventional treatment won’t give you
• They are asking you to spend a significant amount of money on treatment. Most complementary therapies are not covered by insurance, but watch out for those who are asking for a significant amount of money from you for their treatment.
• They recommend that you discontinue treatment with your oncologist. There may come a time when you choose to discontinue treatment with your oncologist but that’s a conversation that you should have with him or her and usually after potentially curative therapies have been exhausted or the side effects of therapy outweigh any potential benefits.
• They have a miracle cure that the FDA won’t approve.
• Ask about whether or not there are published studies on the effectiveness of the treatment they are recommending for you.
• Be careful if they tell you there are no risks or side effects
• Use your common sense…if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Warning signs that you are dealing someone of questionable ethics when it comes to cancer care are:
• They promise you a cure that conventional treatment won’t give you
• They are asking you to spend a significant amount of money on treatment. Most complementary therapies are not covered by insurance, but watch out for those who are asking for a significant amount of money from you for their treatment.
• They recommend that you discontinue treatment with your oncologist. There may come a time when you choose to discontinue treatment with your oncologist but that’s a conversation that you should have with him or her and usually after potentially curative therapies have been exhausted or the side effects of therapy outweigh any potential benefits.
• They have a miracle cure that the FDA won’t approve.
• Ask about whether or not there are published studies on the effectiveness of the treatment they are recommending for you.
• Be careful if they tell you there are no risks or side effects
• Use your common sense…if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
New answer by DrLisaSchwartz (Physician - Oncology - Radiation (Verified)) in topic(s) Integrative Treatments, Integrative Medicine, Integrative Therapies, Complementary And Alternative Medicine
1
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2 months ago
Cancer programs may vary depending on the size of your medical center and the services that are available to you. Academic medical centers that are involved in cancer research often have the NCI designation “Comprehensive Cancer Center”. Just because a cancer center calls itself “comprehensive” does not necessarily mean it has this NCI designation. Smaller community cancer programs have often been accredited by the American College of Surgeons and this would be something you should ask about. A radiation oncology program should be accredited by the American College of Radiology.
There are no defined criteria for an “integrative” cancer care program. There are several things you should look for, however. One would be a physician, preferably an oncologist, who has done additional training in integrative medicine. There is an associate fellowship program in integrative medicine at the University of Arizona which was developed by Dr. Andrew Weil and is the one I have completed. A few other universities offer fellowship programs in integrative medicine so you should ask the integrative medicine physician what his or her additional training has been. In two to three years there will hopefully be a national board certification for integrative medicine physicians which will make the task of finding one infinitely easier. An integrative cancer program should emphasize evidence-based therapies that are combined with conventional therapies.
Cancer programs may vary depending on the size of your medical center and the services that are available to you. Academic medical centers that are involved in cancer research often have the NCI designation “Comprehensive Cancer Center”. Just because a cancer center calls itself “comprehensive” does not necessarily mean it has this NCI designation. Smaller community cancer programs have often been accredited by the American College of Surgeons and this would be something you should ask about. A radiation oncology program should be accredited by the American College of Radiology.
There are no defined criteria for an “integrative” cancer care program. There are several things you should look for, however. One would be a physician, preferably an oncologist, who has done additional training in integrative medicine. There is an associate fellowship program in integrative medicine at the University of Arizona which was developed by Dr. Andrew Weil and is the one I have completed. A few other universities offer fellowship programs in integrative medicine so you should ask the integrative medicine physician what his or her additional training has been. In two to three years there will hopefully be a national board certification for integrative medicine physicians which will make the task of finding one infinitely easier. An integrative cancer program should emphasize evidence-based therapies that are combined with conventional therapies.
There are no defined criteria for an “integrative” cancer care program. There are several things you should look for, however. One would be a physician, preferably an oncologist, who has done additional training in integrative medicine. There is an associate fellowship program in integrative medicine at the University of Arizona which was developed by Dr. Andrew Weil and is the one I have completed. A few other universities offer fellowship programs in integrative medicine so you should ask the integrative medicine physician what his or her additional training has been. In two to three years there will hopefully be a national board certification for integrative medicine physicians which will make the task of finding one infinitely easier. An integrative cancer program should emphasize evidence-based therapies that are combined with conventional therapies.
Cancer programs may vary depending on the size of your medical center and the services that are available to you. Academic medical centers that are involved in cancer research often have the NCI designation “Comprehensive Cancer Center”. Just because a cancer center calls itself “comprehensive” does not necessarily mean it has this NCI designation. Smaller community cancer programs have often been accredited by the American College of Surgeons and this would be something you should ask about. A radiation oncology program should be accredited by the American College of Radiology.
There are no defined criteria for an “integrative” cancer care program. There are several things you should look for, however. One would be a physician, preferably an oncologist, who has done additional training in integrative medicine. There is an associate fellowship program in integrative medicine at the University of Arizona which was developed by Dr. Andrew Weil and is the one I have completed. A few other universities offer fellowship programs in integrative medicine so you should ask the integrative medicine physician what his or her additional training has been. In two to three years there will hopefully be a national board certification for integrative medicine physicians which will make the task of finding one infinitely easier. An integrative cancer program should emphasize evidence-based therapies that are combined with conventional therapies.
New answer by DrLisaSchwartz (Physician - Oncology - Radiation (Verified)) in topic(s) Integrative Treatments, Integrative Cancer Treatment Centers, Integrative Medicine, Integrative Therapies, Complementary And Alternative Medicine, Integrative Cancer Programs
1
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2 months ago
As soon as possible. Check in with an integrative oncologist so that you understand the potential interactions between any of your complementary therapies and conventional treatment. Also you should get some information on things you can be doing to help with side effects and get on to living a healthier life. Why wouldn’t you want to do that as soon as possible?
As soon as possible. Check in with an integrative oncologist so that you understand the potential interactions between any of your complementary therapies and conventional treatment. Also you should get some information on things you can be doing to help with side effects and get on to living a healthier life. Why wouldn’t you want to do that as soon as possible?
New answer by DrLisaSchwartz (Physician - Oncology - Radiation (Verified)) in topic(s) Cancer Treatment Process, Integrative Medicine, Integrative Medicine Specialist, Doctor Visit, Doctor Appointment
1
Answer |
2 months ago
There were some early reports in the literature that soy foods may reduce the effectiveness of Tamoxifen in animal studies, but at least one study from the Univ of So Cal (wu, JCO, 2007) showed that soy food consumption had no effect on the active metabolites of Tamoxifen in Asian American breast cancer survivors.
There were some early reports in the literature that soy foods may reduce the effectiveness of Tamoxifen in animal studies, but at least one study from the Univ of So Cal (wu, JCO, 2007) showed that soy food consumption had no effect on the active metabolites of Tamoxifen in Asian American breast cancer survivors.
New answer by DrLisaSchwartz (Physician - Oncology - Radiation (Verified)) in topic(s) Breast Cancer, Aromatase Inhibitors, Hormonal Therapy, Medications, Breast Cancer Medications, Food, Tamoxifen
1
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2 months ago
As with radiation, anti-oxidants in supplement form can interfere with many chemotherapy treatments but there is no evidence that the anti-oxidants found in whole foods are harmful (againnot dehydrated, concentrated versions of what was once a whole food). If your chemotherapy will decrease your infection fighting cells (as most do) then your doctor or nurse will likely tell you to avoid unpeeled fruits and vegetables and sushi. There are also some foods that should be avoided with specific chemotherapies and your oncologist or chemotherapy nurse can tell you what these are if any.
As with radiation, anti-oxidants in supplement form can interfere with many chemotherapy treatments but there is no evidence that the anti-oxidants found in whole foods are harmful (againnot dehydrated, concentrated versions of what was once a whole food). If your chemotherapy will decrease your infection fighting cells (as most do) then your doctor or nurse will likely tell you to avoid unpeeled fruits and vegetables and sushi. There are also some foods that should be avoided with specific chemotherapies and your oncologist or chemotherapy nurse can tell you what these are if any.
New answer by DrLisaSchwartz (Physician - Oncology - Radiation (Verified)) in topic(s) Chemotherapy Medications, Medications, Cancer Medications, Food, Chemotherapy
1
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2 months ago
In general, no. However, there may be reasons to avoid certain foods depending upon where the radiation is being directed. Your radiation oncology physician or nurse would be the best source of information for your particular situation. Although anti-oxidants interfere with radiation, there is no evidence that the anti-oxidants found in whole foods (not dehydrated, concentrated versions of what was once a whole food) are harmful during treatment.
In general, no. However, there may be reasons to avoid certain foods depending upon where the radiation is being directed. Your radiation oncology physician or nurse would be the best source of information for your particular situation. Although anti-oxidants interfere with radiation, there is no evidence that the anti-oxidants found in whole foods (not dehydrated, concentrated versions of what was once a whole food) are harmful during treatment.
New answer by DrLisaSchwartz (Physician - Oncology - Radiation (Verified)) in topic(s) Radiation Therapy, Radiation, Radiation Treatments, Food
1
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2 months ago
Insomnia is a really common problem for cancer patients. Although there are very effective prescription medications out there, most have some unwanted side effects. Effective nonprescription treatments for insomnia include regular exercise (preferably not just before bedtime), a balanced diet, meditation, acupuncture, and yoga just to name a few. For those of you who are still intent on taking a little something at bedtime to help you sleep, I usually recommend some combination of hops, valerian, lemon balm, and/or passion flower. Chamomile tea is helpful as well.
Insomnia is a really common problem for cancer patients. Although there are very effective prescription medications out there, most have some unwanted side effects. Effective nonprescription treatments for insomnia include regular exercise (preferably not just before bedtime), a balanced diet, meditation, acupuncture, and yoga just to name a few. For those of you who are still intent on taking a little something at bedtime to help you sleep, I usually recommend some combination of hops, valerian, lemon balm, and/or passion flower. Chamomile tea is helpful as well.
New answer by DrLisaSchwartz (Physician - Oncology - Radiation (Verified)) in topic(s) Insomnia, Integrative Treatments, Integrative Medicine, Integrative Therapies, Side Effects
1
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2 months ago
I love this question because we as oncologists have changed our thinking in the past few years. My former recommendation was that patients with hormone receptor positive breast cancer avoid soy in any form. This was not necessarily based on any hard science, but rather a concern that the phytoestrogens in soy could theoretically promote breast cancer in women with hormone receptor positive tumors. Now we have some pretty convincing epidemiologic evidence that soy food consumption is beneficial in breast cancer survivors (note soy food—not supplements). In a meta-analysis done by Trock, et al.(Journal of the National Cancer Institute, 2006) soy protein intake was associated with a small but statistically significant decrease in the risk of breast cancer. Two other case-control studies (one in a European population and the other in a Japanese population) also showed no increased risk of breast cancer with soy or other phytoestrogen consumption (Am J ClinNutr, 2010, and Iwasaki, et al., JCO, 2008). The Shanghai Women’s Health Study also shed some light on the benefits of soy consumption and breast cancer prevention. In this study the highest consumption of soy was associated with the lowest risk of pre-menopausal breast cancer. In breast cancer survivors, soy intake was associated with a lower mortality and risk of recurrence with a 29% risk reduction for total mortality and 32% risk reduction for breast cancer recurrence (ER pos or neg).
I love this question because we as oncologists have changed our thinking in the past few years. My former recommendation was that patients with hormone receptor positive breast cancer avoid soy in any form. This was not necessarily based on any hard science, but rather a concern that the phytoestrogens in soy could theoretically promote breast cancer in women with hormone receptor positive tumors. Now we have some pretty convincing epidemiologic evidence that soy food consumption is beneficial in breast cancer survivors (note soy food—not supplements). In a meta-analysis done by Trock, et al.(Journal of the National Cancer Institute, 2006) soy protein intake was associated with a small but statistically significant decrease in the risk of breast cancer. Two other case-control studies (one in a European population and the other in a Japanese population) also showed no increased risk of breast cancer with soy or other phytoestrogen consumption (Am J ClinNutr, 2010, and Iwasaki, et al., JCO, 2008). The Shanghai Women’s Health Study also shed some light on the benefits of soy consumption and breast cancer prevention. In this study the highest consumption of soy was associated with the lowest risk of pre-menopausal breast cancer. In breast cancer survivors, soy intake was associated with a lower mortality and risk of recurrence with a 29% risk reduction for total mortality and 32% risk reduction for breast cancer recurrence (ER pos or neg).
New answer by DrLisaSchwartz (Physician - Oncology - Radiation (Verified)) in topic(s) Cancer Risk Reduction, Edamame, Miso, Tofu, Breast Cancer, Cancer Risk, Breast Cancer Risk Reduction, Breast Cancer Risk, Soy Products, Food, Nutrition
1
Answer |
2 months ago
This is really a common side effect with Tamoxifen treatment and all too frequently leads to discontinuation of a really helpful drug. Recommendations that are at the top of the list include regular exercise and a Mediterranean diet. Do those first. Next I would consider acupuncture. There was a study in the Journal of Clinical Oncology a couple of years ago that compared acupuncture to an antidepressant drug commonly used for hot flashes called Effexor. Acupuncture was just as effective in decreasing hot flashes and patients reported increased libido, and improvements in energy, clarity of thought, and sense of well-being with acupuncture. Side effects for the Effexor group included dry mouth, nausea, constipation,and decreased appetite. Black cohosh is another option. I won’t go into all the weaknesses of the big studies that have been done on black cohosh and hot flashes but I’ll summarize by saying the preponderance of the evidence shows that black cohosh is effective in treating hot flashes. It is not a phytoestrogen as some have believed in the past. Many of the common herbal preparations used for hot flashes do contain phytoestrogens so I would avoid those and stick with plain black cohosh.
This is really a common side effect with Tamoxifen treatment and all too frequently leads to discontinuation of a really helpful drug. Recommendations that are at the top of the list include regular exercise and a Mediterranean diet. Do those first. Next I would consider acupuncture. There was a study in the Journal of Clinical Oncology a couple of years ago that compared acupuncture to an antidepressant drug commonly used for hot flashes called Effexor. Acupuncture was just as effective in decreasing hot flashes and patients reported increased libido, and improvements in energy, clarity of thought, and sense of well-being with acupuncture. Side effects for the Effexor group included dry mouth, nausea, constipation,and decreased appetite. Black cohosh is another option. I won’t go into all the weaknesses of the big studies that have been done on black cohosh and hot flashes but I’ll summarize by saying the preponderance of the evidence shows that black cohosh is effective in treating hot flashes. It is not a phytoestrogen as some have believed in the past. Many of the common herbal preparations used for hot flashes do contain phytoestrogens so I would avoid those and stick with plain black cohosh.
New answer by DrLisaSchwartz (Physician - Oncology - Radiation (Verified)) in topic(s) Medication Side Effects, Integrative Treatments, Integrative Medicine, Hot Flashes, Integrative Therapies, Breast Cancer Medications, Side Effects, Tamoxifen Side Effects, Breast Cancer Medications Side Effects, Tamoxifen
1
Answer |
2 months ago
There are several great ones (unfortunately there are many more to be avoided!)
MSK Cancer Center Integrative Medicine: http://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/integrative-medicine
MD Anderson Cancer Center (CIMER):http://www.mdanderson.org/education-and-research/resources-for-professionals/clinical-tools-and-resources/cimer/index.html
Pub Med (National Library of Medicine): http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/
National Cancer Institute: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/cam/cam-cancer-treatment/patient/page2
There are several great ones (unfortunately there are many more to be avoided!)
MSK Cancer Center Integrative Medicine: http://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/integrative-medicine
MD Anderson Cancer Center (CIMER):http://www.mdanderson.org/education-and-research/resources-for-professionals/clinical-tools-and-resources/cimer/index.html
Pub Med (National Library of Medicine): http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/
National Cancer Institute: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/cam/cam-cancer-treatment/patient/page2
MSK Cancer Center Integrative Medicine: http://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/integrative-medicine
MD Anderson Cancer Center (CIMER):http://www.mdanderson.org/education-and-research/resources-for-professionals/clinical-tools-and-resources/cimer/index.html
Pub Med (National Library of Medicine): http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/
National Cancer Institute: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/cam/cam-cancer-treatment/patient/page2
There are several great ones (unfortunately there are many more to be avoided!)
MSK Cancer Center Integrative Medicine: http://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/integrative-medicine
MD Anderson Cancer Center (CIMER):http://www.mdanderson.org/education-and-research/resources-for-professionals/clinical-tools-and-resources/cimer/index.html
Pub Med (National Library of Medicine): http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/
National Cancer Institute: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/cam/cam-cancer-treatment/patient/page2
New answer by DrLisaSchwartz (Physician - Oncology - Radiation (Verified)) in topic(s) Integrative Treatments, Integrative Medicine, Complementary Treatments, Integrative Therapies, Complementary And Alternative Medicine, Complementary Medicine, Complementary Therapies
2
Answers |
2 months ago
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