Dr. Donald Abrams uses complementary and alternative therapies in the treatment of cancer, but these treatments are always integrated with conventional care.
Dr. Abrams is chief of Hematology and Oncology at San Fransisco General Hospital. He has been involved in HIV/AIDS research and treatment.
Dr. Abrams is a member of the executive committee of the UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, and is co-chair of their Symptom Management, Palliative Care and Survivorship program.
(Transcribed from video interview)
Dr. Abrams:
So, I have been an oncologist for 28 years, and during that time I have seen incredible advances in our ability to treat cancer. As an integrative oncologist, I tell patients who come to me seeking alternatives to conventional treatment that I have nothing magic, that, you know, especially for breast cancer, we have made incredible strides in being able to prolong survival and decrease the risk of recurrence with surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, hormones, targeted therapies.
So, you know, no, mistletoe or, you know, laetrile, are not going to be better for you. So I would say yes, choosing a natural product as an alternative to a conventional cancer treatment is not a wise decision. Using complementary therapies integrated with conventional care is what integrative oncology is all about.
About Dr. Abrams, M.D.:
Dr. Donald I. Abrams, M.D., a cancer specialist, is director of clinical programs at the Osher Center for Integrative Medicine at UCSF Medical Center at Mount Zion. Abrams provides integrative medicine consultations for cancer patients and has completed research in complementary and alternative therapies including mind-body treatments, botanical therapies, medical use of marijuana and traditional Chinese medicine herbal therapies.
Visit Dr. Abrams at http://www.ucsfhealth.org/adult/cgi-bin/prd.cgi?action=DISPLAYDOCTOR&doctorid=28856
Video:
https://www.empowher.com/cancer/content/having-natural-cancer-treatments-only-mistake-dr-abrams-video