NEW
HORIZONS
Integrated East-West
Medicine For Breast And
Ovarian Cancer
May 20, 1998
Presenter: Dr. Raymond Chang by Esther Trepal
We SHARE participants are pro-active in seeking out the latest and
most effective means of enhancing our physical, spiritual,
intellectual and emotional well being. So it was with great interest
that 250 of us attended the May 20 presentation by Dr. Raymond Chang
on the integration of East-West medicine for breast and ovarian
cancer. Lord & Taylor hosted this program. Dr. Chang is an attending
physician at New York Hospital and Medical Director of the Meridian
Medical Group. He is also a Clinical Assistant Professor at Cornell
known for his research and expertise in herbs.
Dr. Chang began by describing the basic focus diagnostic techniques
and treatment modalities of Eastern medicine or as it is commonly
called, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). TCM focuses on four
fundamentals. First are the basics, which include Qi, blood and
fluids Second are the organs. But they are approached from a
functional nor a physical, point of view The kidneys, for example,
are associated with urinary functions as well as sexual functions.
The third fundamental is connections, or meridians. And the fourth
is disturbed harmony, which is the cause of illness In this regard
there are the six pernicious influences (wind, cold, heat, dampness,
dryness, fire), seven emotions (sadness, anger, joy, worry excess
thought, fear, shock) and other factors such as diet or physical
activity
Diagnosing illness in TCM concerns itself with this fundamental.
Observations of the patient, examining the tongue and taking the
pulse are the major methods. Dr. Chang noted that in Western
medicine, the pulse indicates only two things-rate and rhythm. But
in TCM there are 23 different pulses that provide the examiner with
more detailed information about the patient.
In Western medicine, treatment for cancer includes chemotherapy,
radiation and surgery In TCM, treatment is centered on three
modalities: herbs, acupuncture and exercise (e.g. Qi Gong) and
massage or other bodywork Whereas Western medicine tries to use as
few treatment modalities as possible. TCM herbal formulations are
complex and include many ingredients. Furthermore, more than one
modality is often used concurrently.
Having presented an overview of Western versus Eastern medicine, Dr.
Chang went on to show how the two approaches can be used in the
treatment of cancer. Because they have few negative side effects,
TCM modalities are useful in many ways. For example, they may be
used as a preventative. This is especially true for exercise and
tonics, which can be incorporated into daily activities and not
thought of as a separate "treatment" program. Also, a combination of
modalities can be used either alone or in conjunction with Western
medical treatments. TCM is effectively used as a palliative for
pain, nausea and anxiety And last, while Dr. Chang does not see TCM
as a cure for cancer, he does view it as an excellent adjunct
treatment that improves the odds of cure.
Herbs are the major modality used in TCM. Dr. Chang listed some
possible mechanisms of anti-tumor action by these herbs: They are
cytotoxic (destroy cells), induce apoptosis (programmed cell
"suicide"), induce differentiation ("reprogram" the cell), stimulate
the immune system and inhibit invasion and metastasis
(anti-angiogenesis) Active components include flavonoids (found in
soy), thiol (in garlic), licorice, bromelain, and fish oils, etc.
With regard to the use of soy products by women on Tamoxifen, Dr.
Chang stated that he would use soy in moderation. Its estrogenic
compounds (genistein and daidzein) are weak relative to the drugs so
he believes they would not interfere with its action in dietary
amounts. At the same time, soy has many other and-cancer properties
(e.g. anti-angiogenic) that make it valuable.
Dr. Chang made special note of the properties of mushrooms, some of
which contain a substance called glucan polysaccharide, broad immune
stimulator. This group of mushrooms, which includes shiitake has the
added advantage of being non-estrogenic and free of side effects.
Dr. Chang was not enthusiastic about the popular maitake mushrooms,
because he has not seen any studies that he believes support its
acclaimed health benefits. Additional information on the properties
of mushrooms can be found in the writings of Christopher Hobbs.
Dr. Chang summarized the benefits of TCM in cancer therapy; stating
that it enhances recovery from surgery, enhances the efficiency of
chemotherapy and radiation therapy, decreases the side effects of
these two treatments increases survival rates, increases the quality
of life and possibly prevents recurrence. Reducing side effects
leads to the ability to give higher doses of chemo and radiation,
thus enhancing the possibility/probability of a cure. Good news for
all.
