Brain Cancer & Glioma
Headaches are often the first symptom of brain cancer; other symptoms include difficulty speaking or remembering words, disturbed vision, hearing, smell or taste, seizures, weakness or paralysis in part of the body, loss of balance, general irritability, drowsiness or change in personality, nausea or vomiting.
Known risk factors for developing brain cancer include exposure to radiation, age, family history and exposure to industrial chemicals and is more common in men.
Treatment of brain cancer is based on the location, size, and grade of the tumour and may include surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and steroids to reduce swelling in the brain. Surgery and radiotherapy are the primary treatments of brain cancer.
There is growing interest in the role of clinical nutrition in adjunctive care for brain cancers as recent evidence has shown a link between low folate levels and brain cancer.
Studies into Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) have suggested that folate supplementation may limit the growth of glioblastoma and may increase the sensitivity of cancer cells to Temozolamide – a chemotherapy agent administered to patients with GBM.
The ReMed Oncology team provides an individually tailored, integrative and supportive treatment program designed around your specific situation. It is an adjunctive care model meaning we work alongside your conventional treatment.
Our Ancora oncology team offers a complimentary 20-minute & consult to answer any questions and work out whether this approach is right for you. The complimentary appointment can be booked online or by phoning our ReMed clinic on 03 9431 0331.
Evaluation of the best adjunctive care plan will consider:
What supplements are safe to take
What nutrient may improve clinical outcomes
How to avoid negative interactions with chemotherapy drugs
Supporting you through recovery from surgery
How to the effectiveness of any chemotherapy or radiation therapy undertaken.
Reduce short and long-term side effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy (these vary from person to person and the specific chemotherapy agent used).
Support your general health to ensure your conventional treatment plans can be continued.
Introduce a maintenance program to reduce the risk of recurrence – evidence-informed diet, lifestyle and exercise play an important role in minimising your risks.
At ReMed, we ONLY accept patients into adjunctive oncology care that are currently under the care of an oncologist and following their recommendations.
Reference:
- Hervouet, E., Debien, E., Campion, L., Charbord, J., Menanteau, J., Vallette, F. & Cartron, P. (2009). Folate supplementation limits the aggressiveness of glioma via the remethylation of DNA repeats element and genes governing apoptosis and proliferation. Clinical Cancer Research, 15(10), 3519-3529. doi: 10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-08-2062