The term “holistic” has become a catch phrase. Everywhere you turn someone is planning to treat their physical, mental, emotional or even lifestyle problem holistically. Yet, what does this all mean? What are holistic approaches? Furthermore, can it actually be applied with any success to skin cancer?
What is Holistic Medicine?
Holistic refers to an all encompassing approach. The types of medicine referred to as holistic look at the whole person. Practitioners consider the individual in terms of their health and lifestyle – including spirituality. The resulting philosophy results in holistic medical practitioners taking into account all aspects of the individual’s life before deciding upon a treatment.
In other words, if you talked to a holistic doctor, he or she would ask you not only about how you were feeling and the symptoms, but also about the type of work you did, where you lived, your family and social environment, your eating habits, your spirituality and other parts of your body that appear healthy.1 For holistic practitioners, healing skin cancer involves understanding the connection between the body, the mind and spirit.
Holistic Approaches
The fields of holistic medicine embrace several different approaches and methods. They come in many different packages. Some are more “mainstream” than others. For example many types of health professionals – not just holistic ones, will ask you about your diet and such things as stress levels, the amount of exercise you do and whether you smoke.
Holistic medicine is not the only form of treatment that encourages change in health through change in lifestyle. Many medical professionals – including nurses and doctors practicing traditional medicine, are using holistic approaches to solving medical issues. Yet most stop short of endorsing or using the various types of holistic medicine available to treat such medical issues as skin cancer.2
Types of Holistic Medicine
There are several different fields of holistic medicine. They vary wildly with the only common denominator being their intent on treating the whole person in as natural a way as possible. Common types of holistic medicine include:
- Homeopathy
- Traditional Chinese medicine
- Herbal medicine
- Ayurveda
In the case of skin and other cancers, some people turn to acupuncture, herbal teas, yoga and meditation for relief from the pain accompanying traditional treatment.3 In fact, one of the most common ways individuals try to prevent or treat skin cancer is used in several holistic approaches. They change their diet.
Diet, Plants and Skin Cancer
There are many who support the concept that what you eat can have an effect on your risk of getting cancer. There are also those who believe in altering the diet to help relieve or cure cancer.4 They do so based on the belief that eating specific food high in various proteins, minerals or other various substances, will act to prevent cancer or fight against its presence in their body. Some say eat food high in antioxidants or take supplements.
The list of anti-cancer food or products is quite lengthy. It varies depending upon the practitioner or the person selling the items. Vitamins D and E, niacin and choline (vitamin B complexes), calcium and selenium are the substances that are mentioned the most. Specific food and plants holistic approaches consider as part of the treatment also vary. Milk thistle, parsley, ginger, ginseng, camellia sinensis (the major ingredient of green tea), peppermint and licorice root are touted as being cancer fighters. You can eat the plants, take them in supplement form or apply them as a cream.5
Holistic Approaches: Scientifically Based or Folk Lore?
To date, little research has provided scientific fact to support the claims of holistic medicine. The American Cancer Society states the overall effect of holistic approaches is to provide relief.6 They cite peppermint tea as being effective at relieving the nausea that follows chemotherapy.
Yet some research indicates the effectiveness of various holistic treatments. Ginger, for example has been found to relieve post-chemotherapy nausea.7 Vitamin C has been studied as an effective means of strengthening collage and, as a result, fighting cancer. Topical applications of creams containing specific forms of vitamin D are being researched and offer promise in skin cancer treatments. Further research into the use of green tea, citrus peel, beta-carotene and selenium is being carried on.
There is, however, still not a lot of scientific evidence to support adopting holistic approaches in the battle against skin cancer. Anecdotal evidence is stronger. Research continues to explore this facet. However, one thing is certain. If you have, or wish to prevent getting cancer, eating foods rich in anti-oxidants, vitamins and other possible cancer-fighting substances will not harm you. You simply incorporate them into your daily diet.
If you are taking supplements, however, do mention this to your doctor. You want to avoid any harmful effects of what could be “too much of a good thing.”
Whether you agree or disagree with holistic medicine, it does have its supporters. If you want to learn more about it – ask. Talk to your medical practitioner and contact a holistic cancer treatment or healing center. It may not be the answer for you. It may, however, complement the traditional treatment you will undergo. If this is the case, be sure you arrange a consultation with someone who is both a medical doctor and one who understands the practice of a natural treatment of cancer.
References
1 American Cancer Society (2009). Complete Guide to Complementary and Alternative Cancer Therapies. Atlanta: American Cancer Society.
2 Schuler, L. N. and Gazella, K. A. (2010). The Definitive Guide to Cancer. An Integrative Approach to prevention, Treatment and Healing 3rd edition. Berkley: Celestial Arts.
3 Ibid.
4 American Cancer Society (2009). Complete Guide to Complementary and Alternative Cancer Therapies. Atlanta: American Cancer Society
5 A. P. John Cancer Institute. (2011). Skin Cancer. Retrieved from www.apjohncancerinstitute.org/cancer/skin.htm
6 American Cancer Society. (2011). Skin Cancer. Retrieved from www.cancer.org/Cancer/SkinCancer-OverviewMelanoma/OverviewGuide/melanoma-skin-cancer-overview-treating-c-a-m
7 National Cancer Institute (2009). “Ginger Helps Reduce Nausea from Chemotherapy.” Retrieved from www.cancer.gov/ncicancerbulletin/051909/page3
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