Skin Cancer

What you need to know:

There are no natural remedies or complementary therapies that can cure this condition. Obviously you need to stay out of strong sunlight and many sufferers find that the advice given by the Bristol Cancer Centre helps.
Prevention of skin cancer primarily involves protecting the skin from the sun by using sun creams and lotions with a high SPF (always above 20 to start with) and not spending too much time being exposed to strong sunlight. Sun cream should be reapplied frequently while sun bathing, especially after swimming and special attention should be paid to more sensitive areas. Ideally sunbathing should be avoided between 11am and 3.30pm as that is when the harmful radiation from sun is at its strongest intensity. It is important follow this advice in the UK in the summer and not just when you are abroad.

Other preventative information and advice if you already skin cancer is as follows:

Cancer care plan

What you need to know

Cancer is a disease of the genes, but this does not necessarily mean that it is inherited. Healthy genes can be damaged at any time by free radicals, radiation, sunlight, viral infections and chemicals. If damage occurs to a gene that controls cellular reproduction, then cancerous cells can develop. There are many other reasons why cancer is thought to be caused, including poor immune response, injury, stress, bereavement and shock, therefore the health of the whole body needs to be addressed. Striving to treat the whole body so that it is in balance is known as the holistic approach to health and involves supporting physical, mental, spiritual and emotional well-being. Prevention is obviously the key, however there are many cases where patients have successfully fought cancer or prolonged their lifespan whilst improving quality of life using natural approaches alongside conventional treatment. As everyone is different, it really does make sense to see a registered naturopath as they will give specific guidelines to your individual situation and needs.

The following guidelines are primarily preventative measures at reducing the risk of becoming a cancer sufferer, however if you already have cancer there are certain naturopathic approaches that may be supportive, which have been included where appropriate. It is very important to always realise that with any cancer treatment there are no guarantees, and whatever action you take, you must work closely with your GP or specialist at all times.

Nutritional supplements and herbal remedies that could help

Preventative

*Ensure these products only contain beta-carotene that is natural, not synthetic.

Other supplements or remedies that may be protective include:

Folic acid, Vitamin B12, Garlic, Fish oil, Glutathione, Vitamin D, Pine bark extract, Grapeseed extract, indole-3-carbinol, Conjugated linoeic acid (CLA), Lactobacillus acidophilus. Shiitake mushroom, Reishi mushroom, Maitake mushroom, Cat's claw, Calcium, Pau d'arco

Treatment

If you suffer from cancer the following can be taken, but only with medical approval and supervision:

**Cancer patients taking the chemotherapy drug methotrexate must not take folic acid supplements without the direction of their specialist. In addition, high levels of folic acid need to be taken with vitamin B12, using a B-complex supplement will provide this nutrient.

Other supplements or remedies that may help:

Antioxidant formula, Astragalus, Shiitake mushroom (for prostate cancer), Reishi mushroom, Maitake mushroom, PC-SPES (for prostate cancer), Cloud mushroom (Coriolus versicolor for lung & breast cancer), Mistletoe (Viscum album), Siberian ginseng, Korean ginseng, Cordiceps, Hoxsey formula, Vitamin A, Glutathione, Lutein (for lung cancer).

Chemotherapy Support

To help with conventional treatment the following can be taken, but again only under medical approval and supervision:

Dietary changes that may be beneficial

Diet plays a very important role at reducing the risk of a variety of different cancers, but may also be helpful if you already have cancer.

Foods to avoid

• Cut down on saturated fats - in all meat products, the skin of poultry and full-fat dairy products such as butter, cheese, cream and hard margarines. It is also important to avoid any foods and refined oils containing hydrogenated or trans fats. Hidden saturated fat is often found in burgers, pies, sausages, pastries, cakes and desserts. Animal fats and cholesterol are one of the biggest contributing factors in cancer.
• Avoid all fried foods if possible as it will reduce the number of damaging free radicals that you are exposed to. If you do need to cook in oil use unrefined olive or walnut oil or try 'steam frying' foods in a watered down soya sauce with herbs and spices.
• Avoid barbecued and char-grilled foods, especially if fatty, as they contain relatively high concentrations of cancer causing substances (called carcinogens).
• Reduce meat consumption - strict vegetarians seem to develop fewer cancers than meat-eaters. Processed meats, such as hot dogs, contain nitrates and nitrites-precursors to carcinogens. Overly cooked meat is also thought to be more of a cancer risk compared to lightly cooked meat.
• Cut down on sugar - as high amounts lowers immune response which may increase the risk of cancer and other diseases.
• Reduce intake of salt - as excess has been linked to greater cancer risk. Use a low salt alternative or a salt replacement if you really need to season your food. Herbs and spices are a useful way of adding flavour!

Food to include

• Eat more fruit, vegetables and salads and try to ensure they are organic to avoid pesticides, fertilisers and other harmful chemicals - All fresh produce contains a wide range of natural chemicals, especially carotenoids, which act as protective anti-oxidants, and help prevent damage to genes from free radicals. Making sure that one third of your daily food is made up of fresh fruit, vegetables and salads will help provide a variety of important nutrients. Specifically try to eat more foods that have known protective actions against cancer. These include:
  • Apricots, carrots, sweet potatoes, asparagus, mango and spinach for beta-carotene, apples and onions for the flavonoid, quercetin
  • Cruciferous vegetables (also known as 'Brassicas') such as cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower and brussel sprouts for the compounds indole-3-carbinol, glucaric acid and sulphoraphane
  • Tomato based foods for the cancer-protecting carotenoid, lycopene.
• Eat more fibre and complex carbohydrates - wholemeal bread, brown rice, dried beans, lentils, oats, pasta. These foods supply many different types of fibre, especially soluble fibre which is known to be protective against many cancers. Wholegrains also contain substances called phytates which are very protective, so much so that they are now found as a supplement called IP6.
• Have more celery, garlic, leeks and onions. Eat soya based foods at least once a week to supply the diet with protective isoflavones.
• Eat more oily fish like salmon, sardines, herring, mackerel, pilchards - they are a vital addition to the diet as they supply important omega-3 fatty acids, which are thought to help prevent cancers of the mouth, throat, stomach, colon, rectum, pancreas, lung, breast, and prostate. Also use the good types of fats such mono and poly-unsaturated oils, especially olive, rapeseed, safflower, peanut and walnut. Linseed oil (flaxseed oil) contains high amounts of omega-3.
• Drinking Green Tea provides a variety of antioxidant compounds such as polyphenols and quercetin and are thought to be protective against cancer.
• Having just one serving of raw cabbage each week can help reduce the risk of colon cancer by as much as 50%.
• Olive oil consumption appears to be protective against the development of breast cancer, although it is not fully understand why it is helpful.
• It is well known that people who live in the Mediterranean, Thailand and Japan have much lower incidence of most cancers, so adopting a diet based around these cultures could be protective.
• Ensuring that you drink plenty of water will enable the body to cleanse properly and flush out waste products and toxins. Drink around 2 litres per day. If you have cancer, this is very important as it helps with the detoxification process that plays a huge part in the naturopathic treatment. Many natural health experts try to stimulate and protect the key elimination organs such as the liver, bowel and kidneys. They often recommend drinking fresh organic vegetable and fruit juices to supply nutrients and fibre in order to help with this 'detox' process and to boost the immune system (known as 'Juice Therapy').
• Having some organic low-fat live yoghurt on a regular basis will provide friendly bacteria that helps to keep the immune system and the bowel at optimum health.

Other useful advice

• Smoking is strongly linked to many cancers, especially lung cancer and colon cancer, so it is advisable to give up or cut down as soon as possible to help lower the risk of developing it. Cigarette smoke contains many toxic chemicals which produce thousands of harmful free radicals.
• Reduce alcohol consumption and avoid binge drinking as excess is connected to an increased risk of cancer, although it must be noted that small amounts are actually protective against heart disease. 1-2 units per day is ok and should ideally be from red wine as it contains protective antioxidant polyphenol compounds called proanthocyanidins. Red grape juice contains these compounds without the alcohol, if you wish to avoid drinking completely.
• Being obese has being associated with increased risk of many types of cancer. If you are overweight talk to your doctor but also see information on 'Obesity' and 'Losing weight properly'.
• Regular exercise is crucial for keeping the body and mind healthy and is therefore important at both preventing illness and helping people cope if they already have cancer. You should be doing at least three half-hour periods of exercise a week. You don't need to train for a marathon; anything which gets you mildly out of breath, like a brisk walk, will do. Gardening, energetic housework or a session of your favourite sport, appropriate to your condition, will also be fine. Always discuss with your doctor before taking up a new exercise or sport, especially if you have not been active for some time.
• Minimise exposure to pollutants such as toxic metals like lead, cadmium and mercury and never use chemical pesticides and herbicides in your garden and home. Try to remove known and suspected carcinogens from your home and working environment. Avoid contact with car exhaust fumes and other people's cigarette smoke. In addition, only use mobile phones for 10-15 minutes at a time or get an ear piece that shields you from the radiation they generate. Also, try to reduce exposure to free radicals produced from electrical products such as microwaves, TV's and computers. It is especially important not to have an electric clock next to your bed whilst you are sleeping.
• After the age of 50, do not take extra iron as a supplement, unless you have a medical condition that requires you to do so. Excess iron in the body is pro-oxidant (produces free radicals) and therefore increases the risk of cancer. Avoid iron supplements altogether if you already have cancer.
• Stress and emotional problems have been associated with an increased risk of cancer. It often occurs in someone when they have suffered intense shock, such as a bereavement or relationship breakdown. The Bach flower remedies can be especially helpful during emotional stresses or if you are in shock from the news of actually being diagnosed with cancer or any other life-threatening illness. The 'Five Flower Remedy' devised by Dr Bach is incredibly useful during these times.
• Anxiety and depression can be reduced by various therapies such as spiritual healing, Reiki, relaxation exercises, visualisation and acupuncture (also see sections on Anxiety & Depression).
• Generally looking after the immune system and having a detox 2-3 times per year is a good way of helping to prevent many diseases including cancer. (Try 3 Day Detox Diet or 'Winter Detox Diet' and the section on 'Immune support')
• Women are at a higher risk of breast cancer if they are using hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for long periods. Discuss with your doctor and see the sections on 'Menopause' and 'Osteoporosis'.
• Although not often approved by conventional experts, Oxygen Therapy may be worth considering if you already have cancer.

For more information on naturopathic and holistic approaches that are available to cancer patients contact:

• The Cancer Alternative Information Bureau (CAIB), PO Box 285, 405 Kings Road, London SW10 0BB.
  Tel: +44 (0)20 7266 1505.
  Web: www.caib.co.uk
  
• For other information, advice and counselling contact:
  Bristol Cancer Help Centre, Grove House, Cornwallis Grove, Bristol, BS8 4PG.
  Helpline: +44 (0)117 980 9505, 09.30-17.00 weekdays.
  Web: www.bristolcancerhelp.org
  E-mail: info@bristolcancerhelp.org
  

This information is licensed for use by Wellbeing Information Systems Ltd ("WIS"), and protected by international copyright law. All rights are reserved. (email info@wisinfo.co.uk). The information provided by WIS is for guidance only. Whilst it is based upon the expert advice of leading professionals, and extensive research, it is not a substitute for diagnosis by a qualified professional. Always consult your doctor, pharmacist or qualified practitioner before making any changes or additions to prescribed medication.