Dr. Mitchell Gaynor on Complementary/Integrative for Stage IV
This was sent around today to my local b/c yahoo support group... I thought it was very informative! Enjoy. Dr. Gaynor is Andi BB's nutritional oncologist, I think...
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Mitchell Gaynor, M.D. is founder and president of Gaynor Integrative Oncology and Asst. Clinical Professor of Medicine at Weill College, affiliated with Cornell University and New York Hospital. He has served on the Executive Review Panel at the Department of Defense – Alternative Medicine for Breast Cancer Sector and the Smithsonian Institute's Symposium on New Frontier in Breast Cancer and the Environment. He is a frequent speaker and lecturer at hospitals, conferences, and universities throughout America and abroad.
Dr. Gaynor has been listed consecutively in The Best Doctors in New York since 1997 and serves on the Board of Advisors for The Sass Foundation for Medical Research, The Center for Environmental Oncology at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and Healthy Living Magazine as well as the Editorial board at the Journal of Cancer Integrative Medicine. He is also the senior health advocate for the Carriage House Foundation. After receiving his medical degree from the University of Texas-Southwestern Medical School in Dallas, Texas, he was a clinical fellow in hematology-oncology at the New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center. He is a member of the American Society of Clinical of Oncology and the American College of Physicians.
Question:
What you think is the most important complementary/integrative component for someone who is dealing with my recent Stage IV breast cancer diagnosis?
Dr. Gaynor:
A diagnosis of metastasis breast cancer can initially be a frightening experience. Take advantage of several oncology opinions to make sure you are receiving the best medical treatment options available. In addition there are several things you can do for yourself:
1. Reduce stress - A 1998 study in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute showed that women recovering from breast cancer surgery who had the most stress also had a significant decline in the parts of the immune system responsible for preventing a recurrence of cancer. Stress causes increased levels of a stress hormone called cortisol, produced by the adrenal glands, which interferes with proper immune function. Yoga, meditation, exercise and music therapy have all been found to reduce stress and enhance immune function.. I would encourage you to learn more about these on my website www.drgaynor.com.
2. Support your immune system with smart nutrition. Your immune system is dependent upon a variety of plant-based phytonutrients to function optimally. These include basic vitamins such as A, C and E as well as minerals like zinc and selenium. A major part of the immune system is located in the gut (GALT or gut associated lymphoid tissue) and thus a healthy digestive tract is critical. Consume probiotic bacteria in yogurt or supplement forms as well as foods that nourish these bacteria such as oat bran and flax meal. The probiotic bacteria such as acodophilus and lactobacillus support digestion and help keep GALT optimally functioning.
Bioflavonoids found in wheat germ blueberries and grapes are key for both immune system support and recovery.
Omega-3 fatty acids found in cold deep water fish and fish oil supplements are also important for immune function. Plant-based omega-3 fatty acids are found on flaxseed oil.
Two other nutrients important for both immunity and detoxification are alpha-lipoic acid and NAC (N-acetylcysteine) which keep our bodies supplied with glutathione. Glutathione is a key nutrient which can easily become depleted by toxic overload, inflammation and oxidative stress. Adequate intake of selenium, NAC, and alpha lipoic acid are essential to maintain glutathione levels.
3. Minimize inflammation as this depresses immunity. Natural anti-inflammatory nutrients are found in foods such as rosemary, green tea, curcumin, shitake mushroom and flaxseed. In addition avoid foods which promote inflammation such as alcohol, refined sugars, hydrogenated fats, and white flours.
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Brenda
NOV 2012 - 9 yr anniversary
JULY 2012 - 7 yr anniversary stage IV (of 50...)
Nov'03~ dX stage 2B
Dec'03~ Rt side mastectomy, Her2+, ER/PR+, 10 nodes out, one node positive
Jan'04~ Taxotere/Adria/Cytoxan x 6, NED, no Rads, Tamox. 1 year, Arimadex 3 mo., NED 14 mo.
Sept'05~ micro mets lungs/chest nodes/underarm node, Switched to Aromasin, T/C/H x 7, NED 6 months - Herceptin only
Aug'06~ micro mets chest nodes, & bone spot @ C3 neck, Added Taxol to Herceptin
Feb'07~ Genetic testing, BRCA 1&2 neg
Apr'07~ MRI - two 9mm brain mets & 5 punctates, new left chest met, & small increase of bone spot C3 neck, Stopped Aromasin
May'07~ Started Tykerb/Xeloda, no WBR for now
June'07~ MRI - stable brain mets, no new mets, 9mm spots less enhanced, CA15.3 down 45.5 to 9.3 in 10 wks, Ty/Xel working magic!
Aug'07~ MRI - brain mets shrunk half, NO NEW BRAIN METS!!, TMs stable @ 9.2
Oct'07~ PET/CT & MRI show NED
Apr'08~ scans still show NED in the head, small bone spot on right iliac crest (rear pelvic bone)
Sept'08~ MRI shows activity in brain mets, completed 5 fractions/5 consecutive days of IMRT to zap the pesky buggers
Oct'08~ dropped Xeloda, switched to tri-weekly Herceptin in combo with Tykerb, extend to tri-monthly Zometa infusion
Dec'08~ Brain MRI- 4 spots reduced to punctate size, large spot shrunk by 3mm, CT of torso clear/pelvis spot stable
June'09~ new 3-4mm left cerrebellar spot zapped with IMRT targeted rads
Sept'09~ new 6mm & 1 cm spots in pituitary/optic chiasm area. Rx= 25 days of 3D conformal fractionated targeted IMRT to the tumors.
Oct'09~ 25 days of low dose 3D conformal fractionated targeted IMRT to the bone mets spot on rt. iliac crest that have been watching for 2 years. Added daily Aromasin back into treatment regimen.
Apr'10~ Brain MRI clear! But, see new small spot on adrenal gland. Change from Aromasin back to Tamoxifen.
June'10~ Tumor markers (CA15.3) dropped from 37 to 23 after one month on Tamoxifen. Continue to monitor adrenal gland spot. Remain on Tykerb/Herceptin/Tamoxifen.
Nov'10~ Radiate positive mediastinal node that was pressing on recurrent laryngeal nerve, causing paralyzed larynx and a funny voice.
Jan'11~ MRI shows possible activity or perhaps just scar tissue/necrotic increase on 3 previously treated brain spots and a pituitary spot. 5 days of IMRT on 4 spots.
Feb'11~ Enrolled in T-DM1 EAP in Denver, first treatment March 25, 2011.
Mar'11~ Finally started T-DM1 EAP in Denver at Rocky Mountain Cancer Center/Rose on Mar. 25... hallelujah.
"I would rather be anecdotally alive than statistically dead."
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