Recent Articles
Why I’ve Never Attended Cancer Support Groups
In late 2017, I signed up for a few list-serves specific to my disease. Never before—26 years since diagnosis—had I done that. These virtual groups did not exist a quarter-century ago. The technology was not available. This is what happened next…
Advancing the Global Impact of Integrative Oncology
The importance of disseminating accurate information on evidence-informed integrative cancer care approaches led to the founding of the Society for Integrative Oncology (SIO) in 2003. SIO recently spearheaded the publication in JNCI Institute Monographs, titled ‘Advancing the Global Impact of Integrative Oncology’.
Cancer and Nutrition Science: What I Eat
Nutrition science is rapidly advancing, but clinical nutrition in general is still one of the most confusing areas of health, with differing opinions regarding the best approaches to preventing cancer, supporting active treatment, ensuring durable remissions, and overall survival.
Announcing CLL Society Expert Access™
I recently learned about a new pilot program from my friends at the CLL Society called CLL Society Expert Access™. This important pilot program coordinates free second opinions with CLL experts for CLL patients who have not had or have not been able to secure such access.
The Impact of Exercise on Cancer
I’ve always leveraged exercise and all forms of physical activity for the natural pharmacopeia that it is. Serotonin, norepinephrine, dopamine, and endorphins are always available in my brain’s go-to medicine cabinet, accessible from wherever I choose to unleash them: the gym, park, beach, back yard.
Against Cancer: Judo, Not War
The militaristic connection of ‘fighting’ and ‘battling’ cancer was cemented in 1971 when Richard Nixon declared a war on cancer. Almost half a century later this so-called war is global, with tens of millions of casualties. All wars are ultimately bad. They are best prevented. Equating the body as a battlefield within which to wage war is nonsensical. Rogue cancer cells as the enemy, and healthy ones as the good soldiers?
Dialing Back the Fear of Cancer
In addition to healthy lifestyle activities, a powerful response to counter the fear of cancer recurrence is to be grateful, mindful, hopeful, and present—and apply the emotional intelligence to ‘respond’, but not ‘react’, to the negative words or actions of others. The key is to recognize but filter out negative thoughts—your own, and those thoughts and comments of others.
Engaging the Mind to Positively Influence Cancer Outcomes
A relaxed, unfettered mind is conducive to a healthy whole person. It’s foundational. It’s essential. Anything less will negatively affect our overall cognitive ability, and the pursuit of true health and healing.
Tumor and Host—Seeds and Soil
For decades, cancer scientists and oncologists have focused more on what type of ‘disease’ a person has, as opposed to what type of ‘person’ has a disease. The fact is, every individual has a unique biological environment within that can greatly influence the onset of cancer, its treatment, and long-term survival.
