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Choosing treatment for cancer

Keri Brenner | The Olympian • Published March 17, 2008

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A major dilemma I've heard from friends who have cancer is how to choose the types of treatment and care they will have.

They know conventional cancer treatments - chemotherapy, radiation and surgery - sometimes are necessary to wipe out tumors, especially if cancer cells are growing rapidly and invading other areas of the body.

On the other hand, friends say they w ould prefer, when possible, to also experience other therapies - such as nutrition and diet counseling, natural supplements protocols, exercise, meditation, guided imagery, acupuncture or massage - for support in maintaining a healthful lifestyle while undergoing more radical treatments.

According to Lise Alschuler, a naturopathic physician, and Karolyn Gazella, a health writer and researcher, people with cancer should be able to have both.

Alschuler and Gazella are co-authors of "Alternative Medicine Magazine's Definitive Guide to Cancer: An integrative Approach to Prevention, Treatment and Healing," out this year from Celestial Arts.

"One of the things Karolyn and I tried to advocate is giving permission for cancer patients to demand more from their oncologists," said Alschuler, who is president of the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians.

"It's not OK to discount evidence-based holistic therapies," she added.

Alschuler, who was in Seattle this month to meet with prospective participants in a naturopathic oncol ogy specialization program, said patients should be assertive about getting holistic care.

"If they're not getting what they want (from their oncologist), they should shop around," Alschuler said.

Her reference work is a guidebook for choosing the best of both conventional and complementary therapies.

"If I had cancer, I would read this book," said Dr. Mehmet Oz, high-profile author of "You: The Owner's Manual," and a frequent medical expert on television shows such as the "Oprah Winfrey Show."

With the growing interest in integrative cancer care at both major South Sound hospitals - Providence St. Peter Hospital and Capital Medical Center - the "Definitive Guide to Cancer" is destined to be a much-consulted resource.