Acupuncture for the
Cancer Patient
An Integrative Approach From
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
Danee Barnett, AP, DOM
How does Acupuncture work?
 Acupuncture is a
complex branch of
ancient Chinese
medicine that has been
successfully practiced
for over 2,500 years,
but its practical
principles and methods
are easily understood.
Fourteen major energy channels called
meridians course through the human body
including the head, arms, hands, feet,
torso and internal organs.
A subtle energy called Qi
(pronounced chee)
circulates via these meridians
to all parts of the body,
even the most remote cells.
Qi is the vital force,
the presence of which separates
the living from the dead.
Its balanced, unimpeded flow
is critical to sound health.
Qi flows through
each
of us like a river,
energizing,
nourishing and
supporting every
cell, tissue,
muscle, organ and
gland.
Any misdirection, blockage, or other
derangement of the amount, flow or
balance of Qi may result in pain,
dysfunction and ill health.
These imbalances can be caused by
 Stress
 Trauma
 Accidents
 Improper Diet
 Strain
 Surgery
With acupuncture needles,
 I stimulate specific points
(acupuncture points) along
the course of the meridians.
 Such stimulation helps
restore the normal balance
and flow of Qi so organs
and bodily systems can
work together in harmony
as intended
Acupuncture was initiated at Sloan-Kettering in 1999
Approximately 1400 outpatients per month
are treated with acupuncture
Inpatient services are offered free of charge
In addition to acupuncture, other
integrative therapies offered include:

Touch Therapies
 Fitness
 Mind-Body Meditation
 Music Therapy
 Nutritional Counseling
Although many Chinese herbal formulas may
help in cancer treatment they are are NOT used
at MSKCC during chemotherapy because there
has not been enough research to determine if
they help or hinder the effects of chemo
Alternative vs. Complementary
Alternative Therapies
Complementary Therapies
 Promoted for use INSTEAD of
mainstream care
 Many are biologically invasive
 Costly, potentially harmful



Used WITH mainstream
care for cancer
Non-invasive
Inexpensive, safe and beneficial
Complementary Therapies








Used WITH mainstream care for cancer
Non-invasive
inexpensive, safe and beneficial
Effectively reduce side effects
Enable self-care and control
Enhance well-being and quality of life
Reduce fear, distress, depression, anxiety
Safe, non-invasive, inexpensive and easy to use
How is Acupuncture used
at Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center?
Acupuncture for Surgical Patients
(pre-surgery)





promotes relaxation
prevents infection
shortens recovery time
less post-op pain
optimum time of treatment
is 2 days before surgery
Acupuncture for Surgical Patients
(post-surgery)








less swelling
less pain
improves mental alertness
improves intestinal mobility and urination
shortens recovery time
promotes incision healing
optimum time of acupuncture treatment:
2 days post surgery, 1 week post surgery
and 2 weeks post surgery
Acupuncture for Radiation Patients








reduces fatigue
helps anemia
increases white blood cell count
helps nausea and vomiting
stops diarrhea
helps burns
decreases hair loss
can help with infertility due to treatment
Acupuncture for
Chemotherapy Patients









Helps nausea and vomiting
decreases hair loss
helps fatigue and shortness of breath
strengthen immune system
Increases appetite
Helps red and white blood cell counts
stops diarrhea
helps neuropathy
optimum time of acupuncture treatment is 1-2 hours
before treatment and 24 hours after treatment. If only one
treatment is possible, treat before chemo.
What Causes Cancer?





Genetics
Exposure to harmful elements
Lack of protective elements
Bad habits
CHANCE
 notes: tobacco, carcinogens in food and
environment
 UV protection, exercise, obesity
One Third of Cancers
Are Preventable with Lifestyle
Research at Sloan-Kettering
shows us many things we can do
ourselves to help avoid a
recurrence of cancer
BE PRO-ACTIVE!
EXERCISE
INCREASES
SURVIVAL
(and it’s never too late to start)
EXERCISE AND BREAST CANCER
 50-60% increase in survivorship seen
with regular physical fitness
 Nurse Health Study:
2987 Nurses with breast cancer decreased their
risk of death from breast cancer by 50-60% by
exercising more than 9 hours per week vs. less
than 3 hours per week.
EXERCISE AND COLON CANCER
 832 stage III colon cancer patients
receiving chemotherapy
 Reported physical activities 6 month
completion of chemotherapy
 51% decreased risk of dying from colon
cancer for 18-26.9 hours/week vs. less than
3 hours/week
EXERCISE AND CANCER IN GENERAL
 55% decreased risk for 27+ hours/week
exercise
 The benefit is not significantly modified by
sex, body mass index, number of lymph
nodes involved, age, baseline performance
status or chemotherapy received
Exercise
is Huge
JUST DO IT!
Guidelines for Physical Fitness
for most Cancer Patients and Survivors
• Do continuous or intermittent aerobic exercise
20-60 minutes 3-5x/wk
• Do anabolic exercise 6-12 reps and 1-4 sets of
each exercise for major muscle groups 1-3 x/wk
•Do flexibility exercises for major muscle groups
2-4 sets each exercise 2-3x/wk
(i.e. Yoga, Qi Gong, Tai Chi)
Diet Recommendations
from Sloan-Kettering
The Mediterranean Diet
Mediterranean Diet Benefits
• Analysis of 1.5+ million patients
• Greater adherence to the Mediterranean Diet
has 9% reduction in overall mortality
• 9% reduction in cardio-vascular mortality
• 6% reduction in cancer mortality
• 13% decreased incidence of
Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s
What’s in the Diet?
• 3-5 serving of fresh fruits/day
• 2-5 servings of fresh vegetables/day
• 2+ Proteins/day (fish, legumes, nuts, etc.)
• WHOLE GRAINS (whole wheat, brown rice etc.)
• Extra virgin olive oil rather than
(NOT in addition to) butter or margarine
Eat This!
Nutritional Supplement
Recommendations
from Sloan-Kettering
• 20+ billion dollars are spent each year in the
USA on vitamins and nutritional supplements
• Anti-oxidants are highly marketed and are
of uncertain benefit
• Wheat Grass, Gogi, Noni, Acai, Pomegranate,
Green Tea, Reveratrol, Vitamins A, C and E
have not proven to be of any real benefit
HIGH LEVELS OF
ANTI-OXIDENTS
PROTECT CANCER CELLS
AS WELL AS
HEALTHY CELLS!
Don’t waste your money on
supplements, just eat good,
healthy food as per the
Mediterranean Diet.
There are however,
2 supplements that
Sloan-Kettering Recommends.
VITAMIN D
1000-2000 IU Daily
• Most people are vitamin D deficient
• Minimal vitamin D is obtained from food sources
(80 oz. of milk needed to get sufficient D)
• Improved outcomes from lung, breast, and
colorectal cancer with sufficient vitamin D levels
• Sufficient D levels cut risk of colorectal cancer
by
50%
Calcium
1000-1500 mg/day
• Calcium Citrate is helpful for colon cancer,
prostate cancer and osteoporosis
• Calcium / Magnesium combo
prevents constipation
• Calcium Citrate is the most bio available
• Take with food - only 500 mg. at a time
Summary
• Eat healthy food, not supplements
• Eat mostly plants
• Be physically active every day
• Stay as lean as possible without
being underweight
• Take your Calcium and Vitamin D
Mind-Body Meditation
Sloan-Kettering has patients listen
to audio recordings that help
visualize the cancer being destroyed.
SEE them orbiting
FEEL them sticking to the problem
HEAR them buzzing as they do their work
SMELL and TASTE the energy they are creating
MAKE IT REAL
SEE the electric blue liquid light energy
FEEL it flowing through you
HEAR it cascading
SMELL and TASTE its refreshing qualities
MAKE IT REAL
Trust
Your
Instincts