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Whole Person Care Model Decreases Cancer Treatment Side Effects, Says Cancer Treatment Centers of America

Posted on: Wednesday, 22 February 2006, 12:00 CST

WASHINGTON, Feb. 22 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Twenty to 40 percent of cancer patient deaths are actually caused by malnutrition, rather than the disease itself, according to the National Cancer Institute (see note 1). To overcome malnutrition and the muscle loss and fatigue that result, the whole patient, not just the cancer, must be treated. Cancer Treatment Centers of America's (CTCA) approach to treating cancer -- whole person medicine -- integrates leading-edge medical and Complementary/Alternative Medicine (CAM) to fight cancer from every possible angle, while reducing potentially life- threatening side effects including malnutrition.

"You can attack the cancer, but if you have excessively impaired the person at the end of the treatment, what good have you really done?" said Dr. Edgar Staren, president of the American Society of Breast Surgeons and senior vice president of medical affairs for CTCA. Dr. Staren made these comments today during a media briefing at the National Press Club in Washington. "It is not just the tumor that needs treatment -- cancer patients need to be treated as a whole."

Many cancer-related deaths are not caused by the disease itself, rather, they are the result of complications and side effects caused by aggressively treating the disease without attending fully to the whole person.

"We are finding that we can have a significant impact on cancer patients' quality of life by working to keep the rest of the body, mind and spirit healthy," said Staren. "CTCA is one of the world's leaders in treating advanced-stage cancer and provides some of the most leading-edge surgical, medical and radiological therapies integrated with a number of CAM treatments including intensive clinical nutritionist, physical therapy, naturopathic medicine and others."

In addition to malnutrition, cancer patients are affected by many side effects including nausea, depression, anxiety and debilitating pain -- all symptoms that can be treated by CAM. More than 80 percent (see note 2) of cancer patients are using some sort of CAM treatment. Yet, most cancer hospitals in the United States offer limited or no CAM programs to their patients. As a result, many patients undergoing chemotherapy are using dietary supplements without medical supervision (see note 3) -- this can potentially lead to adverse interactions with chemotherapy.

Taking supplements without supervision creates a huge patient safety risk. Not all naturopathic care is effective or beneficial to the patient. For example, a patient may take St. John's Wort to lessen feelings of depression, but may not know that this can interfere with the effectiveness of some forms of chemotherapy, ultimately doing them more harm than good.

Cancer is a serious disease that requires aggressive medicine, technology or surgery. Utilizing leading-edge cancer treatment technology and protocols, such as the TomoTherapy Hi-Art System(r) and fractionated dose chemotherapy, can effectively treat many cancers -- but they do not address every need of a cancer patient. Patients may suffer from a variety of side effects, both physical and emotional.

Some complementary therapies have been shown to reduce side effects, promote overall wellness, and focus on the comfort of patients, making conventional treatment more bearable. For instance, using acupuncture to relieve post-operative pain or nausea after chemotherapy is endorsed by the National Institutes of Health.

"The whole person approach made a huge difference in my treatment," says Peggy Witkop, breast cancer survivor and CTCA patient. "If I experienced a side effect from my chemotherapy medication, my oncologist would help me work with my naturopath to see how it could be addressed. As a result, my discomfort was minimal throughout my treatments. By getting nutrition and physical therapy, I was able to keep my body strong and healthy enough to fight my cancer. Before coming to CTCA, doctors would assure me that my side effects could be treated with additional medication, and that resulting side effects could be treated with another medication, and so on -- turning my body into a medicine cabinet. I truly credit this whole person approach for my ultimate survival."

This unique, whole person integrative model is the subject of a documentary produced by Platinum Television in partnership with Cancer Treatment Centers of America. The program will air on a variety of cable networks across the country beginning in February.

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Live Broadcast Date: Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2006

Live broadcast time: 9:45 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. EASTERN TIME (firm out)

A Test Satellite Signal will be available from 9:30 - 9:45 a.m. EASTERN TIME

Ku-band analog satellite: AMC6, Transponder: K22

Orbital Position: 72 degrees west

Downlink Frequency: 12140 MHz Horizontal

Coverage Area: North America

Transmission Contact: ConnectLive Communications, 202-513- 1000.

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Press inquiries regarding CTCA, please contact: Jessica Saller, 160over90, 215-732-3200 ext. 114, jsaller(At)160over90.com or Leslie Haas, CTCA, 847-342-7498, leslie.haas(At)ctca-hope.com.

Note 1: Nutrition and Cancer Care, National Cancer Institute, December 5, 2005. http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/ supportivecare/nutrition/h ealthprofessional

Note 2: Richardson, M. A.; Sanders, T; Palmer, J.L.; Greisinger, A; Singletary, S.E. (2000). Complementary/Alternative Medicine Use in a Comprehensive Cancer Center and the Implications for Oncology. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 18(13), 2505-2514.

Note 3: Gupta, D.; Lis, C.G.; Birdsall, T.C.; Grutsch, J.F. (2005). The use of Dietary Supplements in a Community Hospital Comprehensive Cancer Center: Implications for Conventional Cancer Care. Supportive Care in Cancer, 13(11), 912-919.

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About Cancer Treatment Centers of America

Founded in 1988, Cancer Treatment Centers of America(r) provides advanced Patient Empowerment Medicine(sm) through a network of cancer treatment hospitals and community oncology programs in Illinois, Oklahoma, Washington and Pennsylvania. The facilities provide a comprehensive, patient-centered and multidisciplinary path to cancer care by integrating leading-edge medical treatments with support therapies such as nutrition, naturopathy, psychological counseling and spiritual therapy. For more information, visit http:/ /www.cancercenter.com or call 800- 392-4055.

http://www.usnewswire.com

Source: U.S. Newswire

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