Hello
I’m 1 year post BC and 1 year into a 5 year course of Tamoxifen.
Is it worthwhile investing in integrative oncology? DUTCH tests? Root cause medicine? I know little about it and the appointments are expensive but i’m interested in views and if anyone has experience.
Many thanks
Hi @ coastal1,
A good way to learn more about integrative oncology is via the cancer charity yestolife.org I participate in one of their monthly online support groups with others who are taking a holistic approach to cancer care. The charity Penny Brohn also has this ethos.
I prioritise exercise, eating a healthy anti-inflammatory diet, and de-stress/relaxation activities having completed my active treatment. I also undertake some volunteering roles which make me feel good, and I prioritise sleep as well as good gut health to support my immune system.
I did have a consultation with an endobiogenic practitioner at my local health shop and was offered some herbal tinctures. I have now stopped taking them as they were costly. My next area of interest to explore is kinesiology but diet, exercise, relaxation are my primary supportive activities. I also made a list of all the things that bring me joy in life and try to do these often. X
Just chatgpt’d DUTCH. Sounds like pseudoscience and more in the domain of functional medicine which explains why it’s expensive. There are reasons why health services don’t use it, its not varified as accurate apparently.
Integrative oncology seems holistic and harmless and may help for mental wellbeing which is important to all. How worthwhile it is depends on your pov of it.
Hi coastal1
Thank you for posting and asking about integrative oncology and root cause medicine. Both of these healthcare approaches look at lifestyle factors and interventions such as nutrition and exercise as well as other factors like complementary therapies and supplements. The DUTCH test measures hormone levels in dried urine testing but its use in reducing the risk of breast cancer is unclear.
Whilst it is known that a healthy lifestyle can reduce the risk of your cancer coming back, there is not enough research to say that integrative oncology or root cause medicine alone are safe approaches to breast cancer treatment.
They don’t have to comply with the same regulations or rigorous testing that conventional medicines do. For many products there is a lack of research to support their use, and some can interfere with conventional medicines including cancer treatments.
It’s important to speak to your breast care nurse, treatment team, GP, or a pharmacist before taking any supplements or following any new approaches to treatment.
As @entropy says, holistic care can help your mental wellbeing. You may find the Penny Brohn charity useful for finding more research-based information about personalised cancer care as @Tulip29 suggests.
You may also find the World Cancer Research Fund a useful source of information on cancer survivorship .
We offer a range of free supportive services which you may be interested in. They include face to face and online courses and events. You may be particularly interested in our Moving Forward resources that are for people who have had a diagnosis of primary breast cancer and have come to the end of their main hospital treatment. They include our Moving Forward booklet and Moving Forward courses.
Do call our helpline if you would like to talk this through or have any further questions. The helpline team have time to listen, talk things through and signpost you to additional support and information if necessary. Your call will be confidential, and the number is free from UK landlines and all mobile networks.
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Best wishes
Katy
Breast Care Nurse
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