Integrative Oncology from the Patient Advocate Perspective

As a 20+ year survivor I sought to find, then offer, information on natural cancer strategies.  At first I needed them for my own cancer protocol, then to help others.

Integrative Oncology refers to the simple, natural and non-toxic approaches that can reduce toxicity, possibly enhance the efficacy of conventional treatment, and create feelings of well-being and control in people dealing with cancer.

Many studies, some from long ago, have pointed to the strong patient interest in Integrative Oncology (formerly known as CAM).  Yet the professional oncology community’s knowledge has failed to keep up.

Trained to seek Level 1 studies, they have failed to note the preponderance of all the other evidence available supporting natural approaches. Due to cost, most natural products/substances are not reviewed at Level 1 and probably will never be.

We’ve created a simple program we call 3 Steps 4 Health which offers anyone in cancer treatment a guide to improved health.  We will present the research that backs up these simple ideas that can be incorporated into anyone’s protocol.

We also have a Handout to Reduce Toxicities (also a Pediatric version) that is evidence-based to help with those adverse effects that plague modern cancer patients.  So many suffer from neuropathy – there are quite a few methods to protect or treat this with complementary therapies that can be integrated into conventional treatment.  ASCO has pointed to the value of Yoga, of Ginger and more natural approaches but oncology professionals have been slow to adopt or recommend.

Ann E. Fonfa, Annie Appleseed Project, Delray Beach, FL USA

Obstacles to CAM for minority communities to healthy foods and supplements

Obstacles and solutions for minority communities to healthy foods and supplements, gyms and healthy care products. Princetta Scott and Ann Fonfa, The Annie Appleseed Project, Delray Beach, FL

There are a variety of obstacles that make it difficult for people living in minority communities to adopt healthier lifestyles despite their desire to do so.  These include few health food stores or shops that carry fresh produce or supplements.  Very little access to gyms, few ‘safe’ places to run in the streets or parks to play outdoors in.

Some minority neighborhoods have been shown to have more fast food restaurants and bars than any other type of food establishment.  Prices for fresh produce may be higher in these communities.

Some solutions include joining a walking or running group (be the organizer if this does not exist in your area yet). Joining or creating a food coop, reaching out to local/organic farmers to suggest a market day.  Visit with local nonprofits to suggest they fund or run these projects.

Ask local stores to host a food market or coop.

(photo shows the authors in Lisbon, Portugal with a poster)

10th International Conference of the Society for Integrative Oncology

I traveled to Vancouver this month to participate in and speak at the 10th annual Meeting of the Society for Integrative Oncology.
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AARP Bulletin - April 2010

http://pubs.aarp.org/aarpbulletin/201004_CA?pg=12#pg12

Ann had a lumpectomy in Jan 1993, a second one in Feb 1995, a third in July 1995, then a left mastectomy in August/Sept 1995.  She mistakenly allowed a right mastectomy in May 1996 due to being advised that breast also had cancer - it did NOT.  Ann credits working with a NYC-based Chinese herbalist to resolve 7 years of recurrent breast cancer.  She is MRI-proven (Sept 2001) free of cancer.

Add to Your Knowledge by Ann Fonfa MedPageToday

Add Your Knowledge posts written by Ann Fonfa, advocate

Evidence 'Equivocal' for Antioxidants in Cancer Treatment - Jun 21,2008

As a patient advocate, I deplore the fact that a full 15 years after my own diagnosis, we still do not have usable information (in the view of these authors) to definitely say if it is okay to combine antioxidants with chemotherapy or radiotherapy.

This is SO unfair to people with cancer. On the other hand, there is no meaningful evidence showing danger, just guesswork. Is that enough to tell patients to avoid commplementary use of vitamins, acupuncture, homeopathy, or the like during therapy that is KNOWN to be harmful to patients - that is conventional chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

There is plenty of level 2 and 3 evidence as to the value of fresh and organic produce, avoiding JUNK food (soda, fried foods, white flours, etc.) that people can read and react to. We wish they would - read it that is. We support the idea of combining healthy lifestyle/nutrition/exercise/relaxtion/detoxification and the use of supplements.

We also want to point out that vitamin E succinate is considered the appropriate antioxidant with radiation therapy not d-alpha tocopherol. Avoid N-acetyl cisteine at this time. There are studies on this.

Ann Fonfa President www.annieappleseedproject.org

MedPageToday.com

PR.com - Introducing The Annie Appleseed Project

http://www.pr.com/press-release/6852

Ann's Comments Pharmaceutical Give-aways

Newsletter #74–November/December 2002

Letter to the Editor

Dear Editor:

Diane de Lara’s article “Exhibitionist Behavior” [September/October] was a delight to read. I have attended many medical and other meetings and found [the American Society of Clinical Oncology] to be the absolute worst offender. The gifts and giveaways are huge, and everyone wants them.

Pharmaceutical company representatives offer another tote bag to an attendee at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (Photo: Ann Fonfa)

When de Lara asks, “Are the high prices we pay for drugs subsidizing this pageantry?” the answer is a resounding yes. Add to that the money spent for direct-to-consumer advertising, and their support of advocacy and patient groups for all diseases all over the world, and you find an awful lot of excess profit.

Meanwhile, Congress continues to discuss subsidies so elder Americans can afford their pharmaceutical medications. Hey, lowering prices might work.

Ann Fonfa, Founder The Annie Appleseed Project New York, NY November 2002

Pharmaceutical company representatives offer another tote bag to an attendee at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium.