We’re proud to share that our doctor, Dr. Stephen Chan, recently delivered an insightful presentation at the Aesthetic Medicine & Surgery Conference (AMSC) Asia 2025.

His topic, “Latest Trends in Anti-Aging: From Living Better to Living Longer,” explored cutting-edge advancements in regenerative aesthetics and longevity medicine.

At LifeClinic, we’re committed to bringing these innovative approaches to our patients for natural, long-lasting results.

Press: Prestige

Type: Online & Printed magazine

Issue Date: 14 Aug 2025

Read More: Click Here

Hormones can make or break our skin health. Prestige finds out from three experts how we can manage these chemical messengers.

For all the magic creams and potions we lather on our faces to achieve that sought-after glow up, sometimes the culprit behind that one pesky pimple is simply our hormones. Hormonal fluxes impact the skin throughout our lives. Your acne breakouts during puberty? Blame it on rising estrogen and androgens. Pre-period flare-ups and puffiness? Caused by the rise and fall of progesterone. That pregnancy glow? All thanks to a boost in estrogen levels. In perimenopause and menopause, the drop in estrogen is most dramatic, leading to dryness, dullness, a reduction in elasticity and slower skin repair, according to Beth Wright, a functional medicine health coach and certified functional nutritionist specialising in women’s health and performance. “Many women assume their skincare has suddenly stopped working, but it’s actually their hormonal baseline that’s changed.”

According to Dr Stephen Chan, chief medical advisor for LifeHealth Group, the most important hormones for the skin are the sex hormones: estrogen, progesterone and testosterone. Estrogen plays a central role in skin health, supporting collagen production, hydration, elasticity and overall skin structure, while progesterone’s function is “less clear”, though it’s important for maintaining skin firmness and elasticity…..

Are we losing the battle against cancer? 

There are 14 million new cases of cancer occurring worldwide every year. Almost two-thirds of these people will die, or 8 million. The WHO estimates this number will almost double in the next two decades. 

We find ourselves living in an increasingly toxic world, with our fish contaminated with mercury, chickens fed arsenic to increase their appetite, and livestock injected with hormones to fatten them up. 

This places an unprecedented burden on our body’s detoxification and immune systems, says Dr. Stephen Chan, Director of Life Clinic in Hong Kong. Much of our defence against cancer depends on these two systems, he says.

 “We are forming potential cancer cells all the time,” says Dr. Chan. “Ninety-nine percent of these DNA mutations are either repaired by mechanisms within the cell itself, or the cell is set to “self-destruct”, a process known as “apoptosis”, which normally removes the remaining one percent. 

If any mutated cells slip through the net, they can replicate uncontrollably and invade our surrounding tissues, until they reach (or grow their own) blood vessels. Once they have achieved this, they have a highway to spread to other areas like the liver, bones or brain.

 Conventional treatment strategies have focused on physically cutting out the cancer (surgery), irradiating it (radiotherapy) or destroying it with cytotoxic (ie. cell-toxic) agents (chemotherapy). Whereas these can be effective in early-stage cancers, they are generally not so effective with more advanced stage III or IV cancers, when the cancers have already spread. 

“The problem is cancer cells are extremely cunning, and have multiple mechanisms to evade capture,” Dr. Chan says. “They can switch off a cell’s normal defences that normally would trigger self-destruction (known as the P53 tumour suppressor gene), or turn up or “amplify” those genes that help them live. They can hide in areas where there is poor blood supply, making it hard for chemotherapy to reach them, and they can develop ways to deactivate a drug, like pumping it out of the cell.”

 Any successful strategy to deal with cancer should include ways to make it harder for the cancer cell to grow, like alkalinising the blood or starving it of sugar, Dr. Chan says. An all-too-common scenario is for a patient to initially do well on chemotherapy, only for the cancer to return with a vengeance six months later, metastasised to other parts of the body, and now resistant to the initial chemotherapy agents.

Whereas conventional cancer treatments like chemotherapу and radiotherapy look at destroying the cancer cells (and much of the surrounding or normal cells), “Integrated Oncology” looks not only at targeting the cancer cells, but also at addressing the surrounding conditions that allowed the cancer to exist in the first place. 

“Ultimately, this approach aims at keeping the body strong and optimally supported, whether the patient chooses to engage in standard chemotherapy or radiotherapy treatments, or not. There is really no point in successfully killing all the cancer cells, if the patient carrying them doesn’t survive the experience,” Dr. Chan said. 

An Integrated Oncology doctor or practitioner may use a number of diagnostic and therapeutic tools, and these might include:

 1.Cancer Cells Sensitivities 

Circulating cancer cells isolated from a blood test are tested against a panel of different chemotherapy or natural agents to see which kill it best. 

This is akin to how bacteria are routinely tested against different antibiotics. These “cancer cell sensitivities” can help an Integrated Oncologist or practitioner to select the best drug or nutritional supplement for their patients. 

2.High-dose intravenous Vitamin C 

High-dose vitamin C infusions have been used for over 40 years as an adjunctive treatment for cancer. 

Typically an antioxidant at low oral doses, at high intravenous doses Vitamin C acts as a pro-oxidant, killing cancer cells without damaging normal cells. Studies have shown Vitamin C can improve survival by up to 500% in terminally ill patients or give them an additional one year of life. 

3.Enzyme therapy 

High dose protein-digestive enzymes may be able to digest the protective protein coat around cancer cells that protects them from our immune system’s natural defences. 

Used in conjunction with a nutritional protocol like the Kelly Protocol – combining easily digestible, alkalinising diets, detoxification and immune support – remarkable success has been claimed with even the most difficult to treat cancers like pancreatic cancer.

 4.Hyperthermia

 Research has shown that high temperatures can damage or kill cancer cells with minimal injury to normal tissue.

 Although it can be used as a stand-alone treatment, studies indicate that best results are achieved when used in combination with chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Heating the body to high temperatures (up to 42 C) can damage the cancer cell proteins, allowing chemotherapy agents to gain better penetration, or increase oxygen delivered to the tumour so that radiotherapy can work more effectively.

 5.Low-dose Metronomic Chemotherapy

Whereas traditional chemotherapy attempts (often without success) to eradicate tumour cells with the highest dose possible, Metronomic Chemotherapy uses much lower doses, given regularly, with little of the toxicity experienced in standard doses. 

In this way, it appears to work in a whole different way, by inhibiting the cancer cells from growing new blood vessels, and causing them to shrink and sometimes, disappear.

 Without the toxic side effects often experienced with standard dose chemotherapy, quality of life is maintained, and because there is no need for long periods of recovery between cycles, drug resistance and resurgence of the cancer is less likely to be a problem. 

Still a new novel approach undergoing extensive studies, low-dose Metronomic chemotherapy offers much promise for managing cancer without the usual toxic side effects.

 People struggling through cancer are often left floundering and feeling helpless with no control over their lives or their bodies. If they are lucky, they catch it early and do well with standard cancer treatments.

 But that’s not always the case – if the person develops latestage cancer, their body takes a beating and they may become progressively weaker and weaker. 

Dr. Chan says fighting cancer is harder on patients that it needs to be. “More options to tackle cancer are available than people realise,” he says. “They may just need to look outside the box to stand a hope of winning.”

 

Original Article:

cancer.lifeclinic.com.hk/integrative-oncology-a-new-hope-in-a-losing-battle/

 

References

1. National Cancer Institute. (2020). “Cancer Statistics.”
2. World Health Organization. (2021). “Cancer.”
3. Jacobson, M. (2018). “The Role of Vitamin C in Cancer Treatment.” Journal of Clinical Oncology.
4. Horneber, M., et al. (2012). “Vitamin C and Cancer: A Review of the Literature.” Cancer Research.
5. Ghosh, S. (2016). “Low-Dose Metronomic Chemotherapy: A Review.” Journal of Cancer.

 

*Disclaimer:  The content of this article is provided solely for general informational, educational, and reference purposes and is not intended for medical diagnosis, treatment, or as a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified medical doctor or healthcare provider for any health-related concerns, individualized diagnosis, or treatment plans.

Cancer Statistics in Hong Kong: The Need for Early Detection

According to 2022 statistics from the Hong Kong Cancer Registry under the Hospital Authority, there were 35,373 new cancer cases in Hong Kong, averaging 97 daily diagnoses. Cancer incidence rates per 100,000 population were 482 overall, with males (514) slightly higher than females (454). The top five cancers—lung, breast, colorectal, prostate, and liver cancers—accounted for 58% of all new cases. Despite advancements in treatment, late-stage diagnoses remain a critical challenge, underscoring the urgent need for Early Cancer Detection strategies.

 

What is a CTC test?

The CTC test (Circulating Tumor Cell Test) is an innovative cancer screening method that detects cancer cells in the bloodstream before tumors are visible on imaging scans. This test is particularly effective for identifying cancer at its earliest stages, such as when tumors are smaller than 6 mm.

 

How is CTC test Done?

The CTC test involves a simple blood draw, where a sample is analyzed for the presence of circulating tumor cells (CTCs). These cells are released into the bloodstream as cancer progresses, making them a key biomarker for early detection.

 

How Accurate is the CTC test?

A 2015 study by Papasotiriou et al. demonstrated that the CTC test achieves 86.2% sensitivity and 83.9% specificity across various cancers, including breast, prostate, pancreatic, colon, and melanoma. This high accuracy makes it a reliable tool for Early Cancer Detection. 

 

Key Benefits of the CTC Test

 

1. Early Cancer Detection

The CTC Test can identify cancer at its earliest stages, even before symptoms appear or tumors are visible on imaging. This is crucial for improving survival rates and treatment outcomes.

 

2. Monitoring Treatment Effectiveness

By tracking CTC blood test results, doctors can assess how well a patient is responding to treatment. For example, a decrease in CTC levels often indicates successful therapy.

 

3. Personalized Cancer Therapy

The CTC Test evaluates how cancer cells respond to specific treatments, such as chemotherapy or immunotherapy. This information helps doctors tailor personalized treatment plans for better outcomes.

 

Who Should Consider CTC Testing?

• Individuals with a family history of cancer or elevated risk factors (e.g., smoking, obesity).
• Those seeking proactive Early Cancer Detection through advanced cancer screening methods.
• Patients undergoing cancer treatment who need to monitor their progress.

 

CTC Testing Process

1. Consultation : Review medical history and test details with a healthcare provider.
2. Blood Draw : A simple blood sample is collected.
3. Lab Analysis : Samples are processed in ISO-certified labs using advanced flow cytometry.
4.  CTC Test Report : A detailed CTC Test report is generated, highlighting the presence and quantity of circulating tumor cells.
5. Results Interpretation : Your doctor will explain the CTC Test results and recommend appropriate next steps, such as further testing or treatment adjustments.

CTC Test Price and Accessibility

• CTC Test Price: The cost typically ranges from 10,000to 20,000 HKD, depending on the provider and location.
  
• CTC Test Registration: Many hospitals and specialized clinics offer CTC Test services. You can easily register online or by contacting a healthcare provider

• CTC Test  Near Me: To find a CTC Test  facility near you, search for “CTC Test  near me” or consult your local cancer center.

The Importance of Early Cancer Detection

Early Cancer Detection is critical for improving survival rates and reducing treatment complexity. Studies show that catching cancer early significantly increases the chances of successful treatment. For example:

• Early Detection of Cancer Statistics: Patients diagnosed at an early stage have a 5-year survival rate of over 90% for many cancers.
• Does Early Detection of Cancer Save Lives?: Yes, early detection can lead to less aggressive treatments and better quality of life.

 

Future Prospects

The CTC Test  is poised to revolutionize cancer care by integrating with AI and other advanced technologies. This will enhance its accuracy and expand its applications in Early Cancer Detection and personalized treatment.

 

Conclusion

The CTC Test  is a groundbreaking tool for Early Cancer Detection, offering high accuracy, non-invasive testing, and personalized insights. Whether you’re at risk for cancer or currently undergoing treatment, the  CTC Test can provide valuable information to guide your healthcare decisions.

 

Contact us to learn more about CTC testing services.

References:

• • Hospital Authority Hong Kong Cancer Registry (2022 data).
  • Papasotiriou et al. (2015). Journal of Cancer Therapy. 
  • Cristofanilli, M., Budd, G. T., Ellis, M. J., et al. (2004). Circulating tumor cells, disease progression, and survival in metastatic breast cancer. The New England Journal of Medicine, 351(8), 781-791. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa041993
  • Nagrath, S., Sequist, L. V., Maheswaran, S., et al. (2007). Isolation of rare circulating tumour cells in cancer patients by microchip technology. Nature, 450(7173), 1235-1239. https://doi.org/10.1038/nature06385
  • Pantel, K., & Alix-Panabières, C. (2010). Circulating tumor cells in cancer patients: Challenges and perspectives. Trends in Molecular Medicine, 16(9), 478-485. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molmed.2010.07.001
  • Alix-Panabières, C., & Pantel, K. (2016).Clinical Applications of Circulating Tumor Cells and Circulating Tumor DNA as Liquid Biopsy.Cancer Discovery  
  • World Health Organization (WHO).Cancer: Early Diagnosis and Screening.https://www.who.int/cancer/prevention/diagnosis-screening/en/

 

*Disclaimer:  The content of this article is provided solely for general informational, educational, and reference purposes and is not intended for medical diagnosis, treatment, or as a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified medical doctor or healthcare provider for any health-related concerns, individualized diagnosis, or treatment plans.