“Cancer survivor” is the title everyone diagnosed with this terrible disease hopes to own — and many do. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the number of people who survive cancer has been steadily mounting since the mid-seventies, but the reality is that people who’ve survived cancer often have remnant health challenges, caused either by the disease or the treatment. Once treatment is over, many people feel alone, no longer getting the close attention, advice and support they’ve received from their oncology team. In a recent survey done by the University of Pennsylvania Health System, 300 breast cancer survivors described their primary care doctors as “supportive and caring” but these same doctors were rated not very knowledgeable about how to guide the cancer survivors to rebuild their health following their chemotherapy, radiation and surgery.

We asked regular Bottom Line contributor Mark Stengler, ND, to share his expertise on helping survivors thrive as they work through the damage left by the disease and/or treatment. Specific challenges include…

  • A build-up of cellular waste in remaining tissue, due to the extreme toxicity of chemotherapy drugs. These powerful drugs kill healthy cells right along with the cancerous ones, leaving a residue that needs to be removed from the body.
  • Chemo depletes many important nutrient levels, often causing digestive problems as the drugs destroy much of the good flora in the gastrointestinal tract in addition to the lining of the tract itself.
  • “Chemo brain” is a catch-all term for the common memory glitches, lack of focus, mild cognitive impairment and fatigue that follow cancer treatment.
  • Peripheral neuropathy, which causes tingling, burning and numbness in the feet and sometimes hands.

DIET AND SUPPLEMENTS TO DETOX, BUILD STRENGTH

Dr. Stengler advises taking control with both diet and natural supplements. These can help create a healthier cellular environment, clean out the damage done by treatment and rebuild digestive health. Here are his dietary recommendation…

  • Fermented foods. Eat lots of miso, sauerkraut (the kind you buy at the health food store, not the deli), kefir and yogurt.
  • Water. Drink 60 to 70 ounces daily to flush toxins from your system. (Note: Limit water with meals to eight ounces as more can dilute the effectiveness of stomach acid.)
  • Fruits and vegetables. Enjoy these every day. If possible, buy organic, especially for soft fruits such as peaches, nectarines, strawberries and pears.
  • Avoid processed foods — including sugar and white flour. This will eliminate refined sugars and unhealthy fats (trans fats, partially hydrogenated or hydrogenated fats and interesterified fats), all of which can be harmful to health.
  • Eat plenty of healthy fats. These are omega-3s, (found in flaxseed, walnuts and fatty fish including salmon, herring and sardines), balanced by some omega-6s (in corn and soybeans).
  • Avoid tuna, king mackerel, shark, swordfish and others with potentially high levels of mercury. You don’t need to add yet more toxins to your system.

Many tissues in the body are challenged by chemotherapy. Dr. Stengler finds supplements helpful to strengthen health overall and detoxify the liver — which often endures the greatest insult. He often prescribes the following…

  • Antioxidants. These help rebuild health, potentially improve chemo outcomes and help to heal tissue damaged by radiation treatment. Among the supplements Dr. Stengler may prescribe — CoQ10… vitamin C… vitamin E mixed with tocopherol/tocotrienols and a carotenoid complex… vitamin D… lycopene and selenium.
  • Probiotics. These can help balance the digestive system. Dr. Stengler typically prescribes one with a blend of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidum.
  • Greens-chlorella. These deliver phytochemicals, which can be helpful to a system damaged by chemotherapy. Sun Chlorella is a brand he likes.
  • Wheatgrass. It contains helpful vitamin K and chlorophyll antioxidants.
  • Milk thistle. This herb helps support the liver and kidneys by protecting cells against damage caused by breakdown products of the cellular debris and chemo drugs.
  • NAC. N-acetylcysteine, derived from a protein amino acid derivative L-cysteine, aids in the breakdown of drug and cellular wastes.

OTHER STRATEGIES TO BOOST HEALTH

Systemic inflammation is, not surprisingly, a problem that lingers long after cancer treatment. Dr. Stengler says that his patients who follow an improved diet and take many of the above supplements, along with getting regular exercise, often note reduced inflammation.

Dr. Stengler usually recommends an aerobic form of exercise for 30 minutes five times weekly and strength training for 15 minutes twice weekly. If you haven’t already been exercising, go slowly in establishing a routine — fighting cancer and taking chemo or radiation exhaust many energy reserves in the body. Rest and recuperation are more important than pushing your workout to a higher level.

It can be challenging to keep your stress levels under control after dealing with cancer, but this too is important to strengthen your health. If you are having trouble with lack of focus, depression or anxiety, Dr. Stengler suggests that counseling may help you regain your physical and mental strength. Certain natural substances can also be helpful — Dr. Stengler may prescribe phosphatidylserine for cognitive dysfunction… S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe) for depression… and 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) for anxiety and depression.

KICK-START IMMUNE SYSTEM TO PREVENT RECURRENCE

Immunity levels may need a push after the challenges of treatment. There are several substances that may be supportive. These include Beta Glucan Formula, and mushroom extracts such as Grifola frondosa (Maitake), Lentinula edodes (Shiitake) and Coriolus versicolor. Fermented wheat germ extract in powder form (mixed in water or juice) may also be prescribed. Under your doctor’s supervision, it is okay to use these supplements in combination, but your bank account may feel the pain. Ask your doctor what your priorities should be and choose a regimen accordingly.

If your immunity has been severely compromised, you may want to ask your physician about intravenous delivery of vitamin C and glutathione. If appropriate for you, this treatment may assist with tissue repair and will also help improve immune function.

Generally speaking, an excellent way to bridge the gap between your oncological treatment and your internist is to work with a naturopathic physician, who can prescribe and supervise a regimen such as the one Dr. Stengler presents here that may help fast-track you back to health.