Cancer care in China
In 2011 I was asked by Kris Carr to talk about what I had learned studying integrative oncology in China.
In the spring of 2010, I traveled to China to complete my residency for Bastyr University’s doctoral program in Chinese medicine. Our team studied and worked in Chengdu and Shanghai, specifically in the oncology departments of two local hospitals.
I noticed three startling differences between cancer care in China and the United States and Canada. The first is how diagnoses may be kept from the patient in China, the second is that cancer is treated as a chronic illness in China, and the third is the integrated use of chemotherapy and Chinese herbal medicine.
CANCER? WHAT CANCER?
Often when people are diagnosed with cancer in China, they are not told. The family may be told, but they keep the news from their loved one. The underlying motive is to remove the stress element of the diagnosis. This would obviously never be done here in the West for legal reasons (holy lawsuit, Batman!), but it goes without saying that patients are far more relaxed.
Even for the patients who knew of their cancer diagnosis, there was generally a mindset (among both patients and doctors) that this would be a chronic illness requiring a long-term approach. Patients would often check into a hospital and stay for a few weeks of chemotherapy on a revolving schedule depending on their type and grade of cancer.
I will never forget one patient with pancreatic cancer. She had been given this diagnosis 12 years earlier! She was thriving and took Chinese herbal medicine between her cycles of chemotherapy. She continued to work and had a very positive outlook on life.
Another remarkable patient had liver cancer. Every few months he would check into the hospital for his treatments, faithfully drinking his Chinese herbal medicine at home between treatments. He also worked, and his condition remained stable.
MIX ME A COCKTAIL
As a researcher and herbalist, it was so inspiring to learn how doctors were combining chemotherapies with Chinese herbal medicine. While in the hospital, patients would drink a decoction of Chinese herbs specific to their condition and may also have received “herbal chemotherapy.” Ironically, this herbal chemotherapy might consist of toxic herbs, Ya Dan Zi (Brucea fruit) or Chan Su (toad venom), given intravenously in addition to a typical chemotherapy drug. These are toxic herbs that are not available in the United States or Canada.
It was exciting that doctors did not fear combining certain herbs with chemotherapy and saw improved results as compared to using herbs or chemotherapy alone. Some studies had been done or were underway, but I got the impression that most decisions were based on empirical evidence. Because of the different medical paradigm in China, most patients are ready and willing to be treated with herbs. Consequently doctors are getting more and more proficient and experienced in the art of combining. Since patients are closely monitored during their hospital stays, adjustments in dosage could be easily made.
In Chinese medicine, there are two goals of treatment:
1. Fight the xie qi (translated as “evil qi”), meaning kill cancer cells.
2. Boost the zheng qi (translated as “true qi”), meaning rebuild the body’s core energy.
It is generally agreed that surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation are currently the best techniques around for fighting the evil qi. But we are challenged by the fact that these techniques are killing normal, healthy cells including cells needed for strong immunity and digestion. In the East, they consider this an absolute insult to our essential zheng qi. In the West, our oncologists have no prescriptions for rebuilding this core energy.
Chinese medicine is close to 5,000 years old but is modernizing. In modern Chinese medicine we use herbal formulae and acupuncture in addition to chemotherapy and radiation. The herbs and acupuncture both work to do what conventional medicine does not do: boost immunity, reduce cancer growth, improve digestion, improve immunity, and decrease the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation.
Understandably, many oncologists are not comfortable with herbs being taken during active chemotherapy (due to the lack of reliable studies of such combinations).
MOVING FORWARD IN THE WEST
My recommendations if you are considering using Chinese herbal medicine during cancer treatment would be:
1. Work with an experienced Chinese herbalist, one who is licensed or has completed an accredited program and who will support you during your chemo and radiation. An elegant and simple herbal formula may be called for to help manage the sometimes difficult side effects of drugs and to rebuild your system.
2. Ask your oncologist what they are comfortable with. If your oncologist does not agree with you taking herbs during chemo, inquire about taking them when you have finished.
3. Always let your Chinese herbalist know of any side effects you may have related to the herbs. Natural does not equal safe!
4. If herbs are not right for you, consider acupuncture. Acupuncture and moxibustion can greatly help the zheng qi bounce back. Other methods to rebuild include eating well, practicing qigong or tai chi, letting go of emotional pain and grudges, meditating, and surrounding yourself with positivity.