DaytonDailyNews.com

With spring, thoughts of sun, flowers, and for me, cancer survivors enter my mind. My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2004. This will mark her fifth year as a survivor.

Another northwest area neighbor and Union resident, Hank Deneski, is a two-time cancer survivor and cancer research advocate. Deneski wrote recently to share an article he read about military medicine and how the Air Force was training combat doctors in acupuncture.

"You may not have read the article, or if you did, you are wondering where the connection to cancer was," he wrote.

"Acupuncture addresses more than just pain — it is a unique solution to unique side effects of a unique form of cancer!"

The form of cancer he is referring to is squamous cell carcinoma, stage IV, base of tongue, and he said he believes he has firsthand knowledge to share.

"I have been treated by the feature doctor in the article, Col. Richard C. Niemtzow, M.D., Ph.D., M.P.H., a radiation oncologist, with acupuncture for radiation induced xerostomia (dry mouth)."

Deneski said he first met Niemtzow at a conference in New York for oral head and neck cancer, one of the types of cancers with which he has been diagnosed.

Deneski said acupuncture is a proven alternative to certain side effects of cancer treatment, such as xerostomia where radiation and chemo/radiation combo cause dry mouth.

Prior to this type of treatment he said his only relief from the loss of taste and dry mouth was to walk around 24/7 with a bottle of water in his hand.

Deneski wanted to tell his story to help other cancer survivors.

Knowing that at some point in time he would require follow-up treatments, Deneski did additional research to see if there were local physicians who could help.

"I interviewed five acupuncturists in the Miami Valley area by phone and found one who had studied under Dr. Niemtzow when he was based in California and followed his protocol to the nth degree and stayed in touch with him on updates," Deneski said.

That practice is Medical Acupuncture Associates, Charles Christopher, M.D. and his wife, Anastasia Christopher, FNP.

Deneski has been feeling well and has since received three more treatments from Anastasia Christopher.