Integrative Medicine Program Lecture Series Videos
Special Lecture by David Servan-Schreiber, M.D., Ph.D.
What health behaviors can help to stimulate our natural mechanisms against developing cancer?
In his lecture, Dr. Servan-Schreiber shares results from his extensive exploration of the literature in cancer research, after he was diagnosed with and treated for a malignant brain tumor at age 31: We all carry cancer cells and are all exposed to cancer-promoting factors. One fourth of us will die from cancer, but three fourths of us will be protected by our natural defenses.
What has been happening since World War II in societies of developed nations that has promoted a dramatic rise in the occurrence of cancer?
Dr. Servan-Schreiber discusses how changes since that time, in our diet and lifestyle, affect our natural defenses: Sugar intake, the ratio of fatty acids omega 6/omega 3, exposure to chemicals, sedentary lifestyle and level of social support.
In this video, he addresses these questions and more:
Using Natural Defense in Cancer Prevention and Care (58:24)
David Servan-Schreiber, M.D., Ph.D., renowned psychiatrist and researcher in neurocognitive function, cofounder of Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders), spoke at a Integrative Medicine Program Lecture Series special program on July 12, 2009. Dr. Servan-Schreiber is the author of the acclaimed book, "Anticancer: A New Way of Life", a New York Times bestseller translated into more than 33 languages. Read more about Dr. Servan-Schreiber's visit to M. D. Anderson in Focused on Health.
What roles do spiritual and religious resources play in coping with cancer?
How can providers help the patients engage these resources even more effectively? These are among the questions informing the research of Jean L. Kristeller, Ph.D., director of the Center for Health, Religion and Spirituality and professor of psychology at Indiana State University, and her colleagues. Speaking from the broadest possible definition of religion or spirituality, and from the perspective that these resources are pertinent from the beginning of care, arising almost immediately upon diagnosis, not just for end of life, and palliative care, Dr. Kristeller discusses their research into the different ways in which patients engage religious and spiritual resources, how they are addressed in the health care setting, the roles and attitudes of physicians and other health care providers in addressing these issues and more.
Engaging Spiritual Wisdom in Cancer Care: The Patient, the Physician, the Community (56:49)
How can diet influence the risk of developing cancer?
Walter C. Willett, M.D., Dr.P.H., professor of epidemiology and chair of the Department of Nutrition at Harvard School of Public Health, presents data from a number of longterm studies related to four paradigms of diet and cancer: food carcinogen, dietary fat, fruit and vegetable and energy balance, or body fat. The fourth paradigm, body fat, has been shown through much solid evidence to have considerable effect on cancer risk. Also presented are data to support the benefits of folic acid (breast), calcium (colorectal), soy milk (prostate), vitamin D (colorectal), maintaining low body fat and low alcohol intake (breast and others), low milk intake (prostate), low animal fat intake (premenopausal breast), low red meat intake during adolescence (breast) and more. Dr. Willett has worked in this field for over 25 years, has authored more than 1000 publications, as well as books directed toward the lay public: Eat, Drink and Be Healthy and The Fertility Diet. He is internationally among the five most cited persons in all fields of clinical science. (October 16, 2008)
Diet & Cancer: The Fourth Paradigm (1:05:35)
Why aren't we developing and testing natural products in the clinic as readily as the pharmaceuticals?
Do nutraceutical products, health foods, healthy living and natural antioxidants really help? Robert A. Newman, Ph.D., professor emeritus of experimental therapeutics, addresses these questions and more, as he discusses the difficulties, challenges and opportunities in natural products research for prevention and treatment, using real examples, such as curcumin, green tea, fish oil and more. (November 17, 2007)
Nutraceutical Science or Nutraceutical Nonsense? A Pharmacologist's Perspective (1:02:47)
How does music therapy differ from music education or performance?
Michael Richardson, M.T.-B.C., a music therapist since 1979, at M. D. Anderson since 1991, discusses these differences, and the goals and objectives of music therapy, how he uses the music to achieve other than musical goals: A pediatric patient plays an instrument, at the same time doing deep breathing exercises, or an adult patient write songs, giving voice to her hopes and fears. Richardson and his Celebration Singers, a 'support group' choir of caregivers and survivors, offer an uplifting and informative program. (October 18, 2007)
Music Therapy for the Cancer Patient (1:01:53)
What color is your diet?
David Heber, M.D., Ph.D., professor of medicine and public health and director of the UCLA Center for Human Nutrition, discusses links between diet and cancer, including a discussion of phytochemicals in pomegranates and other brightly colored fruits and vegetables. Dr. Heber is the author of Nutritional Oncology and What Color Is Your Diet?. (June 21, 2007)
Integration and Translation of Nutritional Science into Cancer Prevention Practice (1:02:15)
Where are we in our fight against cancer?
What are the causes of human cancer? Allan Conney, Ph.D., Garbe Professor of Cancer and Leukemia Research, Department of Chemical Biology, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers State University, New Jersey, and director of the Susan Lehman Cullman Laboratory for Cancer Research, presents evidence of a principal role for environmental factors over heritable factors in causing cancer, especially diet and tobacco use. He discusses possibilities for prevention in protective foods and chemopreventive agents, presenting results from a number of studies of green tea, caffeine and more. (May 17, 2007)
It's Better to Prevent Cancer than to Treat it: Some Studies on Cancer Prevention (56:48)
What is the relationship between chronic stress and tumor biology?
Anil Sood, M.D., professor of gynecologic oncology and director of ovarian cancer research, discusses what stress is and the nature of chronic stress -- depression, loneliness, chronic sleep disorders -- and its relationship with the immune system and disease. Dr. Sood explains how physiologic responses to stress occur, the effects of stress hormones on tumor invasion and the mechanisms of effects on the tumor microenvironment. (April 19, 2007)
Influence of Biobehavioral Factors on Tumor Biology: Pathway and Mechanisms (0:48:47)
Where are patients going for information on natural supplements for their cancer?
What are they looking for? Mary L. Hardy, M.D., medical director of the Simms/Mann – UCLA Center for Integrative Medicine, explores CAM use by cancer patients and appropriate goals for integrative/CAM therapies in oncology. She presents studies on the chemopreventive and adjunctive therapeutic effects of natural agents, such as garlic, calendula, zinc, black cohosh and more, as well as a look at the issues of adverse effects and safety of natural supplements. (March 15, 2007)
Natural Supplements in Cancer Care: Help or Harm? A Clinical Perspective (55:19)