AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY - https://www.cancer.

org/cancer/chronic-lymphocytic-leukemia/
LYMPHOMA RESEARCH FOUNDATION - http://www.focusoncll.org
CANCER RESEARCH UK - http://www.cancerresearchuk.org
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) Research Summary

LIFESTYLE:
1. All people with CLL should avoid tobacco smoke, as smoking increases the risk of many
cancers and might further increase the risk of some of the second cancers seen in patients with
CLL.
2. To help maintain good health, survivors should also:
 Achieve and maintain a healthy weight
 Adopt a physically active lifestyle
 Consume a healthy diet, with an emphasis on plant foods
3. You can't change the fact that you have had cancer. What you can change is how you live the rest
of your life – making choices to help you stay healthy and feel as well as you can. This can be
a time to look at your life in new ways.
4. MAKING HEALTHIER CHOICES - Are there things you could do that might make you
healthier? Maybe you could try to eat better or get more exercise.
5. Eating better - Eating right can be hard for anyone, but it can get even tougher during and after
cancer treatment. Treatment may change your sense of taste. Nausea can be a problem. You may
not feel like eating and lose weight when you don't want to.
One of the best things you can do is put healthy eating habits into place. You may be surprised
at the long-term benefits of some simple changes, like increasing the variety of healthy foods you
eat. Getting to and staying at a healthy weight, eating a healthy diet may lower your risk for a
number of types of cancer, as well as having many other health benefits
6. Rest - If you are very tired, you will need to balance activity with rest. Sometimes it's really
hard for people to allow themselves to rest when they are used to working all day, but this is not
the time to push yourself too hard. Listen to your body and rest when you need to.
7. Exercise - Studies have shown that patients who follow an exercise program tailored to their
personal needs feel better physically and emotionally and can cope better, too. If you were sick
and not very active, it is normal for your fitness, endurance, and muscle strength to decline. If
you haven't exercised in a few years, you will have to start slowly – maybe just by taking short
walks. Keep in mind that exercise can improve your physical and emotional health.
 It improves your cardiovascular (heart and circulation) fitness.
 Along with a good diet, it will help you get to and stay at a healthy weight.
 It makes your muscles stronger.
 It reduces fatigue and helps you have more energy.
 It can help lower anxiety and depression.
 It can make you feel happier.
 It helps you feel better about yourself.
And long term, we know that getting regular physical activity plays a role in helping to lower the
risk of some cancers, as well as having other health benefits.
 AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY - https://www.cancer.org/cancer/chronic-lymphocytic-leukemia/
LYMPHOMA RESEARCH FOUNDATION - http://www.focusoncll.org
CANCER RESEARCH UK - http://www.cancerresearchuk.org
BEFORE STARTING TREATMENT:
1. It is important to take time and think about your possible choices.
2. Talking to doctor:
 What is the stage (risk group) of the leukemia, and what does that mean for me?
 Will I need to have other tests before we can decide on treatment?
 How much experience do you have treating this type of cancer?
 Should I get a second opinion?
 Should I be treated at this time? Why or why not?
 What are my treatment choices? What do you recommend, and why?
 What are the risks and side effects with the treatments that you recommend?
 What should I do to be ready for treatment?
 How long will treatment last? What will it be like? Where will it be done?
 How will treatment affect my daily activities?
 What is the outlook for my survival?
 What will we do if the treatment doesn't work or if the leukemia recurs?
 What type of follow-up will I need after treatment?
3. When treatment started: Almost any cancer treatment can have side effects. Some may last for a
few weeks to months, but others can last the rest of your life.
4. CLL and the therapies used to treat the disease may be associated with a number of
complications. Attempts to decrease the number of diseased cells in the blood may also cause
problems with other components of the blood.
5. Chemotherapy drugs work by attacking cells that are dividing quickly, which is why they work
against cancer cells. But other cells in the body, such as those in the bone marrow, the lining of
the mouth and intestines, and the hair follicles, also divide quickly. Chemotherapy drugs are not
selective and these healthy and fast growing cells will also be affected by chemotherapy, which
can lead to side effects including:
 Loss of appetite, nausea (sick to stomach) and vomiting, diarrhea
 Low blood counts, fatigue and anemia
 Mouth sores and hair loss
 Increased risk of infections
 Easy bruising (black and blue marks on the skin) and bleeding or nosebleeds
 Secondary cancers
 Tumor lysis syndrome and kidney failure (allopurinol may help to reduce the risk)
 Chemotherapy combinations, usually with chlorambucil, damage the DNA of blood-forming
cells. These damaged cells may go on to become cancerous, leading to Acute Myeloid
Leukemia, which is quite aggressive and difficult to treat.
6. Side effects of steroids:
 Insomnia
 Mood and personality changes
 High blood pressure
 Diabetes
 Increase risk of infection
 Heartburn
 AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY - https://www.cancer.org/cancer/chronic-lymphocytic-leukemia/
LYMPHOMA RESEARCH FOUNDATION - http://www.focusoncll.org
CANCER RESEARCH UK - http://www.cancerresearchuk.org
COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE
1. People with cancer might think about using alternative or complementary methods for a number
of reasons:
 They’d like to relieve the side effects of mainstream cancer treatment without having to take
more medicine
 They are seeking a less unpleasant treatment approach that might have fewer side effects
 They want to take an active role in improving their own health and wellness
 They prefer alternative theories of health and disease, as well as alternative treatments
2. Complementary and alternative methods are often appealing because they use your own body,
your own mind, or things found in nature. Some people find that certain complementary methods
are very useful to help control certain symptoms and improve the quality of their lives.
3. Here are examples of some complementary methods that some people have found helpful and
safe when used along with standard medical treatment:
 Acupuncture: Acupuncture is a technique in which very thin needles are put into the body to
treat a number of symptoms. It may help with mild pain and some types of nausea.
 Aromatherapy: Aromatherapy is the use of fragrant substances, called essential oils, distilled
from plants to alter mood or improve symptoms such as stress or nausea.
 Art therapy: Art therapy is used to help people with physical and emotional problems by
using creative activities to express emotions.
 Labyrinth walking: Involves a meditative walk along a set circular pathway that goes to the
center and comes back out. Labyrinths can also be “walked” online or on a grooved board
following the curved path with a finger.
 Massage therapy: Massage involves manipulation, rubbing, and kneading of the body’s
muscle and soft tissue. Some studies suggest massage can decrease stress, anxiety, depression,
and pain and increase alertness.
 Meditation: Meditation is a mind-body process in which a person uses concentration or
reflection to relax the body and calm the mind.
 Music therapy: Music therapy is offered by trained healthcare professionals who use music
to promote healing and enhance quality of life.
 Prayer and spirituality: Spirituality is generally described as an awareness of something
greater than the individual self. It’s often expressed through religion and/or prayer, but there
are many other paths of spiritual pursuit and expression.
 Tai chi: Tai chi is an ancient Chinese martial art. It’s a mind-body system that uses
movement, meditation, and breathing to improve health and well being. It’s been shown to
improve strength and balance in some people.
 Yoga: Yoga is a form of non-aerobic exercise that involves a program of precise posture and
breathing activities.
 AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY - https://www.cancer.org/cancer/chronic-lymphocytic-leukemia/
LYMPHOMA RESEARCH FOUNDATION - http://www.focusoncll.org
CANCER RESEARCH UK - http://www.cancerresearchuk.org
4. 27 May 2016 study (National Center for Biotechnology Information, U.S. National Library of
Medicine, National Institutes of Health):
Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4902377/
Utilization of Chinese Medicine (CM) is not uncommon in patients with chronic lymphocytic
leukemia (CLL). However, the current knowledge of the usage and efficacy of CM among CLL
patients is limited. A Taiwanese nationwide population-based study involving the use of Western
medicine and CM services provided by the National Health Insurance (NHI) was conducted from
January 2000 to 31 December 2010 (616 patients).

Kaplan-Meier curves of overall survival in patients with CLL according to use of Chinese Herbal
Medicine (CHM) and standard treatment (WM – Western Medicine).

5. Our study shows that the combination therapy using TCM and WM for patients with leukemia
does not cause additional financial burden relative to using WM only. Importantly, TCM use is
associated with longer survival.
6. Studies also show that TCM can alleviate adverse effects of WM and improve quality of life in
cancer patients.