LEMMO Health Centre & LEMMO Integrated Cancer Care Inc.

The consumption of cherries (tart liquid form) - 1 ounce per day (2 tablespoons) mixed in water - improves aches/pains as a result of hormone treatment in breast cancer caused by aromatase inhibitors (i.e. letrozole, arimidex, aromasin). For some woman the discomfort can be quite severe resulting in significant distress where some may stop treatment. Something as simple as cherries, that increases melatonin levels, appears to help in a 6 week research trial.

Effect of Tart Cherry on Aromatase Inhibitor-Induced Arthralgia (AIA) in Nonmetastatic Hormone-Positive Breast Cancer Patients: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial Micro-AbstractAromatase Inhibitor induced Arthralgia (AIA) can cause noncompliance leading to decreased breast-cancer survival. Effective interventions for AIA are limited. Tart cherry (TC) showed beneficial effect on musculoskeletal pain. 48 patients (Pts) randomized to TC versus placebo over 6 wee...

The topical use of the anti-inflammatory NSAID known as Diclofenac in gel form prevented the rather troubling Hand-Foot syndrome more commonly seen with the oral chemo pill capecitabine (or Xeloda). Here in Canada the use of Voltaren gel, found over the counter, may be a simple option to consider.

Topical Diclofenac for Prevention of Capecitabine-Associated Hand-Foot Syndrome: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial PURPOSE Hand-foot syndrome (HFS) is a dose-limiting side effect of capecitabine. Celecoxib prevents HFS by inhibiting cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) that is upregulated because of the underlying associated inflammation. However, systemic side effects of celecoxib have limited routine prescription. Topical...

Intravenous vitamin C plus oral dosing appears to minimize complications and may improve outcomes in those receiving bone marrow transplant for hematological diseases (i.e. AML, ALL, etc.) in a phase I/II prospective trial.

The study has apparently yet to be thoroughly reviewed but nonetheless sounds encouraging. We have seen more acute hematological patients appear to have better responses and reduced complications with the incorporation of the intravenous route in our experiences. Will be curious to see how this data unfolds. However the data suggested it was safe regardless which has been our experience.

Intravenous Vitamin C Supplementation in Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplant Recipients: Salutary Impact on Clinical Outcomes Intravenous (IV) vitamin C improves organ function and reduces inflammation in sepsis, an inflammatory state like the post-hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HCT) milieu. The safety and efficacy of parenteral vitamin C after allogeneic HCT were evaluated ...

An interesting review on the versatility of Quercetin along with its potential value in helping with drug-resistance such is when chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, hyperthermia, etc. may not work according to plan. It may help to unlock the doors.

Mechanisms of Cancer-killing by Quercetin; A Review on Cell Death Mechanisms - PubMed Cancer drug resistance has always been a serious issue regarding cancer research and therapy. Different cancers undergo different mutations, which may cause suppression of tumor suppressor genes, inhibition of apoptosis, stimulation of drug resistance mediators, and exhaustion of the immune system.....

European research suggests that the addition of mistletoe and/or hyperthermia to standard chemotherapy (i.e. FOLFIRINOX, gemcitabine/abraxane) in advanced pancreatic cancer may improve survival. The combination of both mistletoe and hyperthermia added the most beneficial outcome.

Patients with Advanced Pancreatic Cancer Treated with Mistletoe and Hyperthermia in Addition to Palliative Chemotherapy: A Retrospective Single-Center Analysis Pancreatic cancer is associated with poor survival, despite advances in anti-cancer treatment. Most patients are diagnosed at an advanced stage, so the treatment goal is prolongation of survival and maintenance of quality of life instead of cure. In this ...

A nice review video on the value of exercise in cancer. Not only for quality of life but also for enhanced outcomes and potential response to treatment.

Lindsay L Peterson on Exercise and Cancer Outcomes - The ASCO Post Lindsay L. Peterson, MD, on Exercise and Cancer Outcomes AACR Annual Meeting 2023 Advertisement Lindsay L. Peterson, MD, of the Washington University, St. Louis, discusses the value of physical activity in improving cancer prognosis, especially for patients with breast or colon cancer. Aerobic exerc...

Naturopathic doctors are primary care physicians and have the opportunity to help victims of the
opioid crisis.

"Of the more than 700 naturopathic doctors in B.C., most of
them are already prescribing prescription drugs..." Essentially [NDs are] functioning as primary care providers like nurse practitioners and general practitioners," Phair said. "We don't need to go to other countries to recruit health care workers and to train and licence because there's 633 (prescribing) naturopathic doctors already in the communities in B.C. that are disproportionately affected."

Short-term fasting with chemo in breast cancer improves quality of life / fatigue using 200 calories per day (before, during, after). https://breastcancer.org/research-news/fasting-improves-quality-of-life-during-chemo

Study: Fasting Leads to Better Quality of Life During Chemotherapy A study shows that short-term fasting during chemotherapy for early-stage breast cancer improves quality of life and helps prevent fatigue.

A good article written in the Prince George Citizen over the weekend on how naturopathic physicians can help both with the primary care shortage and the opioid crisis here in BC. After being in clinical practice for over 20 years, working throughout the pandemic, and while the system was not perfect before it needs desperate help now more than ever. We should be allowed to practice to the levels of our training and to move politics aside. I hear this regularly from patients on why we are not more integrated into the provincial healthcare system. I congratulate my colleague Dr. Phair for bringing the much needed attention into this area.

A good article written in the Prince George Citizen (https://www.princegeorgecitizen.com) on how naturopathic physicians can help both with the primary care shortage and the opioid crisis here in BC. After being in clinical practice for over 20 years, working throughout the pandemic, and while the system was not perfect before it needs desperate help now more than ever. We should be allowed to practice to the levels of our training and to move politics aside. I hear this regularly from patients on why we are not more integrated into the provincial healthcare system. I congratulate my colleague Dr. Phair for bringing the much needed attention into this area.

Prince George News Your best source for Prince George and regional news, sports, business, community news and events, entertainment, lifestyles, obituaries, and opinion coverage.

A good article on how naturopathic physicians can help both with the primary care shortage and the opioid crisis here in BC. After being in clinical practice for over 20 years, working throughout the pandemic, and while the system was not perfect before it needs desperate help now more than ever. We should be allowed to practice to the levels of our training and to move politics aside. I hear this regularly from patients on why we are not more integrated into the provincial healthcare system. I congratulate my colleague Dr. Phair for bringing the much needed attention into this area.

B.C. naturopathic doctors urge province to let them help fight opioid crisis Deborah Phair, a Prince George naturopathic doctor, is calling on the provincial government to expand the scope of practice for B.C.’s naturopathic doctors to allow them to prescribe immediate-release safer supply substances

A good article on how naturopathic physicians can help both with the primary care shortage and the opioid crisis here in BC. After being in clinical practice for over 20 years, working throughout the pandemic, and while the system was not perfect before it needs desparate help now more than ever. We should be allowed to practice to the levels of our training and to move politics aside. I hear this regularly from patients on why we are not more integrated into the provincial healthcare system. I congratulate my colleague Dr. Phair for bringing the much needed attention into this area. British Columbia's Naturopathic Doctors - BCND

B.C. naturopathic doctors urge province to let them help fight opioid crisis Deborah Phair, a Prince George naturopathic doctor, is calling on the provincial government to expand the scope of practice for B.C.’s naturopathic doctors to allow them to prescribe immediate-release safer supply substances

Vitamin D supplements may be a reasonable option to consider for chemotherapy induced neuropathy from Taxol (paclitaxel) in breast cancer even though the evidence is not yet there. Lower levels of vitamin D are linked with worsened neuropathy and in mice a vitamin D deficiency directly causes neurotoxicity to Taxol.

Vitamin D Insufficiency as a Risk Factor for Paclitaxel-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy in SWOG S0221 Background: Prior work suggests that patients with vitamin D insufficiency may have a higher risk of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) from paclitaxel. The objective of this study was to validate vitamin D insufficiency as a CIPN risk factor. Methods: We used data and samples from th...

A common question especially amongst women is if it is OK to drink alcohol after a diagnosis of breast cancer. A recent study published last month suggests it may be OK on the whole with no risks for either recurrence or death. For those who are more lean or a BMI less than 30 may need to be a little more careful as there was a non-significant trend towards recurrence but not for risk of mortality. A common sense approach can go far.

Alcohol consumption and prognosis and survival in breast cancer survivors: The Pathways Study Alcohol consumption around the time of and up to 6 months after breast cancer diagnosis was associated with lower risk of all-cause mortality in women with obesity in the Pathways Study. A potential ...

Vitamin C and D supplements in patients with acute leukaemia (AML) improves quality of life and appears to also increase survival in a subset of patients. Supplements were used together with intensive chemotherapy treatment. Rates of bacterial or fungal infection were lower in the vit C/D groups.

Vitamin C and D Supplementation in Acute Myeloid Leukemia Key Points. Vitamin C/D treatment was associated with less complications during chemotherapy and restores the vit D level before alloHCT in AML patientsVitamin

An interesting new study (in mice) on how vitamin C may actually help to breakdown ACE2 that is involved with the Covid virus entry into the cells of the body leading to protection from infection. We tend to hear discussions on the roles of vitamin C as a potential infection treatment or in immunity but not as a potential blocking agent for viral entry into the body. Something to think about for end of summer / fall season.

www.embopress.org

For those who continue to worry about COVID a recent phase 3 trial shows how a simple, inexpensive, diabetes medication Metformin reduces viral load or growth, hospitalizations, and long-COVID risks. It has also been explored off-label in cancer care as well. The only issue is it may cause looser bowels for some.

Metformin reduces SARS-CoV-2 in a Phase 3 Randomized Placebo Controlled Clinical Trial Current antiviral treatment options for SARS-CoV-2 infections are not available globally, cannot be used with many medications, and are limited to virus-specific targets.1-3 Biophysical modeling of SARS-CoV-2 replication predicted that protein translation is an especially attractive target for antiv...

https://ascopost.com/news/june-2023/exercise-may-strengthen-immune-system-in-patients-with-multiple-myeloma/

Exercise with a focus on strength training (2 x week) appears to help restore the immune system for the blood cancer multiple myeloma

Exercise May Strengthen Immune System in Patients With Multiple Myeloma - The ASCO Post Researchers have found that exercise may be effective at strengthening the immune system in patients with multiple myeloma, providing them with a nonpharmaceutical method of managing the disease, according to new findings presented by Joseph et al at the 2023 ASCO Annual Meeting (Abstract 8060).

Classic bladder cancer treatment using immune treatment bacteria BCG may also prevent dementia. BCG was used historically in tuberculosis and was then applied superficially in the bladder becoming standard of care for superficial bladder cancer. Will see what this new potential area brings in the management of dementia.

Association of BCG Vaccine Treatment With Death and Dementia in Patients With Bladder Cancer This cohort study evaluates the use of BCG vaccine in patients with non–muscle-invasive bladder cancer who were at risk for Alzheimer disease and related dementias.

The use integrative medicine (tools used by naturopathic physicians) in those with cancers of the blood and in particular plasma cell types that includes multiple myeloma, MGUS, amyloidosis is high according to a new study. Many tools were being utilized where in particular the use of vitamin C, ma*****na, support groups, and massage were linked with higher quality of life.

Redirecting

A study from Israel showing the application of an integrative cancer program (tools used by naturopathic physicians) in women with gynecological cancers (i.e. ovarian, endometrial cancers) lived longer. Those who stuck with the program or stronger adherence had the best outcome which includes reduced ER visit requirements.

Correlation between an integrative oncology treatment program and survival in patients with advanced gynecological cancer - Supportive Care in Cancer Objective Integrative oncology (IO) is increasingly becoming part of palliative cancer care. This study examined the correlation between an IO treatment program and rates of survival among patients with advanced gynecological cancer. Methods Patients were referred by their oncology healthcare profes...

Whether oral or intravenous new research linking vitamin C to reduced all-cause mortality or death. Vitamin C therapy reduced the risk of death by sepsis by 26%.

Association of Oral or Intravenous Vitamin C Supplementation with Mortality: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Mortality is the most clinically serious outcome, and its prevention remains a constant struggle. This study was to assess whether intravenous or oral vitamin C (Vit-C) therapy is related to reduced mortality in adults. Data from Medline, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register databases were acqu...

Staph on the skin during breast radiation appears to be a culprit in dermatitis versus simply the result of the burn.

Antibacterial Treatment May Resolve Acute Radiation Dermatitis in Patients With Breast Cancer Undergoing Radiation Therapy - The ASCO Post Researchers have found that acute radiation dermatitis may involve the skin bacterium Staphylococcus aureus and that a simple, low-cost treatment may prevent severe cases in patients undergoing radiation therapy, according to two novel studies published by Kost et al—one a randomized clinical tria...

A simple good one my wife gave me about the personal struggles we all deal with in life and our understandings with one another.

Upcoming BUMRUN event - CCRAN - Colorectal Cancer Awareness

Jessica Dasler - Bumrun 2023 Please watch and enjoy this video of Jessica Dasler, who shares with us why she is participating in Bumrun 2023. To register for Bumrun, please visit: https:...

Wise words by some retired but experienced oncology professionals about our system here in BC

Opinion: Is the B.C. government's cancer plan up to the mark? Opinion: Cancer care in B.C., once considered a model system, now has lengthening wait times among the worst in Canada.

The use of radiation (IMRT) given twice daily (at least 6 hours a part) but a lower doses (called Hyperfractionated) versus standard radiation (once daily at regular dose) lead to both improved survival and quality of life (i.e. less side-effects) in those with a type of head and neck cancer called Nasopharygeal Carcinoma. Something to consider and perhaps to fight for in some patients as this also takes more time and resources to implement especially a socialized model of healthcare.

Hyperfractionated vs Standard-Fractionation IMRT in Locally Advanced, Recurrent Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma - The ASCO Post In a Chinese phase III trial reported in The Lancet, You et al found that hyperfractionated vs standard-fractionation intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) was associated with reduced late severe radiotherapy complications and improved overall survival in patients with locally advanced, recurrent....

New research helps to confirm that active surveillance or simply monitoring men with prostate cancer versus early treatment (i.e. surgery, radiation, etc.) is also a reasonable option for most men. Generally most prostate cancers grow slowly and as a result men can have time to decide on the best treatment direction for them. This area has come a long way since I started practice back in 1999 when such an idea of monitoring prostate cancer was frowned upon. It is important to highlight that not all cancers are this way in being more indolent or slow in their behaviour. Proper guidance is key.

Fifteen-Year Outcomes after Monitoring, Surgery, or Radiotherapy for Prostate Cancer | NEJM Original Article from The New England Journal of Medicine — Fifteen-Year Outcomes after Monitoring, Surgery, or Radiotherapy for Prostate Cancer

Gut microbes, immune system, and now linked with muscle repair..in mice.

How Gut Microbes Help Mend Damaged Muscles New findings suggest intestinal immune cells play a role in repairing injured muscles

The use of hormones in woman may actually be protective for lung cancer in those using greater than 5 years.

Hormone Therapy May Reduce Risk of Lung Cancer in Female Patients Despite Former Misperceptions - The ASCO Post Investigators have demonstrated that, despite some commonly held misperceptions, hormone therapy doesn’t increase patients’ risk of developing lung cancer—and it could help reduce the risk, according to a 16-year population-based study published by Wu et al in Menopause.