Tumors have become a common anomaly in modern society. While many cancerous tumors have reached an advanced stage by the time they are discovered, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has become a viable treatment option.
Yuen Oi-lin, a registered traditional Chinese medicine practitioner in Hong Kong, refers to the “100 Ways to Treat 100 Diseases” program to show how TCM treatment can boost the body’s ability to fight disease, control the spread of cells cancers and improve the quality of life of cancer patients. She says even patients with advanced cancer can live alongside their tumors.
Despite the continuous development of modern medicine, the incidence of cancer cases remains consistently high. In the United States, more than 1.7 million people are diagnosed with cancer each year. In Hong Kong, cancer incidence has increased at an annual rate of about 3.1% over the past 10 years.
Yuen noted the internal and external causes of tumor formation. The internal factor is a weak immune system, which is exacerbated by too much pressure from a typical modern lifestyle; while the external factor results from carcinogens in the environment. The latter comes from everyday toxins found in things like food preservatives, formaldehyde in home improvement materials, and more.
TCM boosts the body’s immune response
Cancer treatment with TCM primarily focuses on improving the body’s immune response and its ability to fight cancer. In terms of medicine, Ruan noted that the herb commonly used to treat cancer is ginseng, as ginseng can greatly replenish vitality.
In TCM, qi and blood are the most important basic substances necessary for life. The concept of ‘qi’ can be understood as ‘life energy’ or ‘vitality’ which constitutes life in the body. Primordial Yuan-qi is the basic qi of the human body, which is crucial in promoting the physiological activities of various tissues and organs in the body.
Modern medicine is also aware of the potential of ginseng in the production of anti-cancer drugs. Hundreds of studies have been published proving the anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory benefits of ginsenosides and ginseng, and their positive impact on the immune, cardiovascular and nervous systems.
A 2017 study showed that the ginsenosides in ginseng inhibit cancer cell metastasis, inhibit angiogenesis to delay tumor growth, and induce eventual cancer cell apoptosis.
In TCM theory, the meridian is the channel of energy in the human body, and the internal organs are connected to the surface of the human body through the meridians. Acupuncture can be used to treat cancers corresponding to visceral organs by activating acupuncture points on the meridians.
“Relatively speaking, if there is a problem with the internal organs, there will be a problem with the acupuncture points where the disease qi will accumulate. Acupuncture at the appropriate acupuncture points can accelerate the movement of energy in the meridians and let the disease qi dissipate faster. When combined with Chinese medicine, the effect will be even better,” Yuen said.
In terms of medicines, Chinese medicine has “meridian affinity”, that is, the energy of different medicinal materials can correspond to different meridians in the human body. According to Ruan: “TCM uses plants and animals as the main sources of medicine. Plants and animals have the energy of the universe after being exposed to sun and rain. If people lack energy, they will get sick. In Chinese medicine, the energy of plants is used to supplement the energy of the patient, and the disease will be cured.
Medicine Plus Acupuncture can cure cervical carcinoma in situ
Yuen said that with this method of treatment, she successfully cured a young woman suffering from carcinoma in situ of the cervix. Carcinoma in situ is an abnormal change in the cells of the cervix, a likely precursor to full-blown cancer that may follow. Western medicine typically uses surgery to remove abnormal cells and may even need to remove the entire uterus. Ruan’s patient, who was not yet married, began to cry at the thought of possibly losing her belly. Fortunately, after acupuncture and Chinese medicine treatment, when she went to the hospital for a pap smear a few months later, she found that her cervical cells had returned to normal.
This patient’s recovery experience is not unique. A study based on data from Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Database showed that patients with cervical dysplasia who later developed cervical cancer used Chinese medicine less than those who did not. had not developed cervical cancer. The longer patients received Chinese medicine, the lower their risk of developing cervical cancer.
The tumor no longer spreads in a patient with advanced cancer
For early-stage tumors or cancers, TCM treatment focuses on stimulating the body’s self-healing abilities to fight off the tumor. For patients with advanced cancer, TCM treatment can also inhibit the spread of cancer cells, improve symptoms of discomfort, and allow patients to maintain their quality of life for longer.
One of Yuen’s patients, a man in his 60s, was diagnosed with stage 4 (terminal) throat cancer. Yuen remembers being very depressed when he first came to see her. She asked him, “Are you worried? He nodded in agreement. Yuen told her, “First of all, don’t mention the word ‘cancer,’ just say what problem you want to solve.” He replied, “I don’t sleep well and I have constipation.” Yuen replied, “I will help you solve the problem. If I can get you to sleep and have regular bowel movements, will you feel better? The patient agreed.
Moxibustion is a form of heat therapy in which dried plant material called “moxa” is burned on or very close to the surface of the skin. The intention is to warm and invigorate the flow of qi in the body and dispel certain pathogenic influences. Therapy may be a combination of acupuncture and moxibustion. In TCM, acupuncture and moxibustion are used alone or together to treat diseases.
After acupuncture, moxibustion and Chinese medicine, the patient’s symptoms of insomnia and constipation improved. Before one of his treatments at the clinic, the patient’s phone rang. Yuen asked him to answer the phone first, but he refused. He said: “It’s the public hospital calling me for chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The hospital said if I didn’t I would die in six months. I’m really scared.” Yuen suggested that since the Chinese medicine treatment had been effective, he could continue with the same treatment instead of chemotherapy and radiation therapy. The patient opted to cancel the appointment with the hospital and continue her TCM treatment.
After that, the patient felt much more relaxed. In addition to acupuncture treatment and medicine, he practiced Zhan Zhuang – a meditative martial arts practice of remaining still – while improving his daily eating habits, all under the guidance of Yuen. Six years later, he is still alive, not as thin and frail as he used to be, and has a much improved complexion. Although he can still feel the tumor in his throat, the cancer has stopped spreading. Blood tests show a normal cancer index with no detectable cancer cells.
Yuen said, “It’s not particularly worrying to have cancer. The main problem is how to deal with it. Some people die quickly and some can live for decades. The key is to let go of the load (the worry) that lies in your heart.
Traditional Chinese medicine may reduce risk of death in patients with advanced breast cancer
Yuen recently treated a patient with advanced breast cancer. Cancer cells had spread and ascites (a condition in which fluid builds up in the spaces in your abdomen) occurred, making radiation and chemotherapy impossible. After acupuncture and taking Chinese medicines, the patient’s pain was relieved and the edema disappeared.
For patients with advanced breast cancer, receiving traditional Chinese medicine treatment can prolong life. A study using the Taiwan Health Insurance database showed that patients with advanced breast cancer who were treated with TCM for one to six months had a 45% lower risk of death than those who have not received any TCM treatment. Those treated with TCM for more than six months had a 54% reduction in mortality.
In addition to giving acupuncture treatment and prescribing medicine, Yuen also spoke regularly with the patient and her family to help relieve her depression, after learning that the patient was worried about her child.
Yuen quoted the Chinese medicine classic “Yellow Emperor’s Inner Canon” that “all diseases originate from qi” and that the qi in the body is affected by emotions such as joy, anger, sadness and fear. . So if you want to treat and prevent cancer, start with your mood; don’t worry or get angry too easily.
Acupuncture point massage boosts immunity
Yuen introduced the practice of Zusanli (ST 36) acupuncture point massage, making the body less susceptible to tumors. The Zusanli is located approximately four transverse finger widths below the outer knee. She recommends regular massage of this acupuncture point while resting or watching TV. This can help strengthen the immune and digestive systems.
