For people touched by cancer, the term “hope” can mean different things. At a basic level, of course you hope to get rid of your cancer and then stay free of the disease. In this context, hope is simply a form of wish fulfillment: You desire, and to some degree, expect, a full-fledged recovery. Implicit … Continued
One of the most common sources of distress after a diagnosis of cancer is being told that you have “X” number of months or years to live. This is often presented in the form of a risk-based percentage, such as “a 30 percent chance of surviving one year.” For anyone on the receiving end of … Continued
Back in the early nineties, I was looking for methods to help my patients better tolerate some of the more invasive cancer treatments, including chemotherapy. So, when I came across some of the research of Dr. Bill Hrushevsky, clearly the pioneer in the field of chronomodulated chemotherapy, it was a “light-bulb” moment for me. Dr. … Continued
A recently published study has again raised the question of whether it is safe to take antioxidant supplements during chemotherapy, a question that has been of concern to many of my patients. Some cancer chemotherapy drugs work by attacking cancer cells with free radicals, which are highly reactive molecules that kill cancer cells by causing … Continued
I am often asked if there are specific foods that can boost cancer survival. For Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I thought I’d address this question as it relates to breast cancer. Existing research doesn’t support the notion that there are specific foods that can increase survival. However, there is considerable evidence that dietary patterns can … Continued
For many years, the Block Center has emphasized the nutritional and clinical benefits of eating a diet which is low in total fats (particularly cutting unhealthy fats) yet high in vegetables, whole unprocessed grains, and fruits — a complete food plan based on our continual evaluation of the science. Now, a new and convincing study … Continued
One of the most striking discoveries in recent years revealed that “friendly” bacteria living in your digestive system — your gut microbiome — are actually crucial in helping immunotherapy drugs work for cancer patients. Immunotherapies represent a major advance in cancer treatment, firing up sluggish or suppressed immune systems to kill cancer cells in ways … Continued
Ingredients ● 1 tablespoon tomato paste ● 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar ● 1 tablespoon brown mustard ● 2 garlic cloves, minced ● 1 tsp chili powder ● ½ tsp onion powder ● 2 cans white beans, drained ● 1 cup chopped onions ● Salt & pepper, to taste Instructions 1. In a medium saucepan … Continued
Ingredients • 1 cup raw cashews, soaked overnight or 3 hours in hot water • ½ cup water • 1 teaspoon sea salt, divided • 2 tablespoons avocado oil • 1 yellow onion, peeled and chopped • 2 celery stalks, chopped • ¼ teaspoon black pepper • 3 garlic cloves, minced • 8 cups broccoli … Continued
Vaginal dryness, itching, and burning, are often symptoms following chemotherapy among patients with breast and other hormonally-related cancers. Treatments that involve estrogens aren’t recommended for most patients with breast cancer due to concerns about possibly contributing to future disease or risk of recurrence. That leaves unanswered one question: What are non-hormonal options for managing vaginal … Continued