Dear readers,
Today I want to share a glimpse of the success of a doctor in France whose work in integrative oncology I have admired for years, Dr. Jean-Lionel Bagot. Recently I saw a presentation he made with Dr Ingrid Theunissen and I was struck once again by the excellent model of care Dr. Bagot provides, and by the results. I also was painfully reminded that almost no one in North America is aware of such care being offered in other parts of the world—though if you know where to look, you can find most of it here. If you find the information below as interesting as I do, please share it! There is no one in North America today whose life will not be affected by cancer.
I had been thinking of reaching out to Dr. Bagot ever since I saw his work featured in a documentary years ago. When I came across these graphs, I finally contacted him. He is a charming, devoted physician whose warmth and ready smile might belie the depth and seriousness of his work. To my surprise, he offered to take the time to collaborate on a short article about his findings. Et: voilà.
At an integrative clinic surrounded by trees and green space, people with cancer have access to acupuncture, lifestyle medicine, nutritional therapy, homeopathy, and numerous other options alongside their conventional medical treatments. In this model, a balance is sought between conventional medicine, complementary medicine, and self-care (which includes individualized, supportive education). In a survey of 535 patients in Strasbourg, 47% were using complementary therapies and 97% were satisfied with the results of their complementary care. Other studies suggest the number of patients using complementary medicines during cancer treatment is around 60%, with homeopathy being the most commonly chosen modality in France.
Tracking and analyzing the results of their complementary use of classical homeopathy, Dr. Bagot and colleagues see results which are eye-opening and exciting. As you can see in the graph below, some of the adverse effects of conventional treatment which oncologists have no way to address are managed successfully by individualized homeopathic care. One example reviewed in Dr Bagot’s presentation was thrombocytopenia, the loss of platelets in the blood, a common and dangerous side effect of both chemotherapy and radiation. Homeopathic treatment has reversed this condition in many patients, avoiding the need for transfusions. Nausea, pain, fatigue, dry mouth, emotional distress, and many other symptoms can often be relieved.
Homeopathy is one of the most used complementary medicines worldwide, with very high rates of patient/client satisfaction when it is used correctly. (Unfortunately homeopathy is increasingly, inappropriately, promoted as a “home remedy,” which will rarely lead to desirable results, since—like any medical system—years of study and training are required to understand its use.) A fascinating aspect of Dr. Bagot’s research is that in France, 82% of patients using homeopathy do so with the knowledge and support of their oncologist; it’s an excellent arrangement, because homeopathic remedies are not chemical drugs and do not (cannot) interact with conventional medications. They simply give the body (and mind) more energy for healing. Only 20% of people in the United States who use homeopathic medicines for any condition “confess” it to their doctors. Cooperation and dialogue between medical doctors, complementary and alternative practitioners, and patients benefit everyone, and patients most of all.
The graph below shows the success of homeopathic treatment in countering some of the most common and debilitating effects cancer patients suffer.
For those unfamiliar with homeopathy, it’s a 230 year old medical system set in motion by a German medical doctor, and in most countries is still practiced only by medical doctors. It uses high-dilution medicines made from natural substances (most often plants and minerals) through a unique and rigorous process. Homeopathy is an excellent candidate for supportive care because it does not interact chemically with other medications. It is simple to use, totally non-invasive, and if prescribed properly is virtually free of side effects.
In the English-speaking countries homeopathy is viewed with prejudice, suspicion, and scorn by most doctors. (I discussed this in more detail in my book Homeopathy Rising.) Mainstream media perpetuate the myth that it doesn’t have scientific evidence behind it, which is simply untrue. This is immensely unfortunate, because as you can see it has much to offer, whether in the complementary setting or as a gentle but potent healthcare choice for many conditions. The criticism comes from people who have not taken the trouble to understand what homeopathy is and choose to ignore the millions of their near neighbors, right here in North America, who use and appreciate it.
While integrative care models continue to become more available in other parts of the world, the vast majority of people who face a cancer diagnosis in the US or Canada have no such luck. Complementary care is rarely suggested by medical providers, and if one does insist on it, it must be found and paid for out-of-pocket—prohibitively, or destructively, expensive for many. The great majority actually feel they have to hide it from their oncology team.
With a wealth of research and clinical trials worldwide showing its many benefits, why is supportive and complementary treatment so hard to come by in North America? And how can this be changed? How can these urgent questions take the central place they deserve in public dialogue about healthcare? In this era of information and communication, it’s up to us spread the word about humane, effective, patient-centered medicine.
Graphs used by the kind permission of Dr. Jean-Lionel Bagot. Calendula officinalis illustration by Franz Eugen Köhler, Köhler-s Medizinal-Pflanzen-024 (public domain).