FAQ on cancer treatment
Q. What if I've had breast cancer? Will bio-identical hormones
help prevent my cancer from recurring?
A. The topic of cancer
is enormously complex, and we simply do not know enough to be able
to predict the perfect treatment. Because most breast cancer cells
have receptors for estrogen and/or progesterone, it is felt by
conventional practitioners that any intake of such hormones,
bio-identical or not, will potentially stimulate the growth of such
tumor cells. Since Dr. Chen is not an oncologist, she does not feel
comfortable treating a breast cancer survivor with HRT specifically
for the hopes of preventing cancer. In rare cases, Dr. Chen has
prescribed HRT for breast cancer survivors solely for the purpose of
increasing quality of life, but each case with the support of the
involved oncologist. Breast cancer survivors who are interested in
specifically going on the Wiley ProtocolTM or
bio-identical HRT should consult with Dr.
Julie Taguchi, at the Sansum Medical Clinic in Santa Barbara,
who has treated multiple cancer patients with the Wiley ProtocolTM.
Dr. Taguchi is also currently the principal investigator on the BHOT
(Bio-identical Hormones On Trial) study, and is keeping meticulous
follow-up records of multiple cancer patients who have elected to
use this protocol.
Q. What if I've had prostate cancer and I think my testosterone
is low? Will testosterone replacement help me?
A. Similar to
breast cancer, prostate cancer is also an enormously complex
disease. It is currently felt by conventional practitioners that
testosterone replacement may potentially increase the risk of
prostate cancer recurrence, although the literature is not
definitive. In fact, there is good evidence in the cancer literature
that higher testosterone levels in a man actually correlate with
LESS prostate cancer, whereas higher estrogen levels correlate with
more prostate cancer. If a man with a personal history of prostate
cancer has documented significantly decreased quality of life
directly related to low testosterone levels, Dr. Chen will only
agree to cautiously replace his testosterone if he has a urologist
who is supportive of such treatment, and who is willing to follow
the patient along closely in case of any cancer recurrence. The
follow-ups will obviously include serial lab draws for PSA value, a
marker for prostate cancer.
Q. What if I have a history of other types of cancers? Will HRT
help prevent my cancer?
A. Dr. Chen feels that first and
foremost in preventing cancer, is a healthy lifestyle, including
appropriate nutrition and exercise, sleep, and stress management.
Beyond that, whether there is a role for HRT will depend on a
detailed evaluation of each individual patient. Dr. Chen recommends
discussing such potential decisions thoroughly with your personal
oncologist and obtaining approval from him/her before initiating any
HRT treatment plan.