Interview Series: Dr. Hua-Bing Wen on Eastern Medicine and Finding the Perfect Combination for You

Dr. Wen's 3-part Lunch and Learn series is beginning on Monday, February 2nd at 12pm. RSVP now to save your spot!

Q&A with Dr. Hua-Bing Wen

Dr. Hua-Bing Wen, B. Med., MS, L.Ac. (licensed acupuncturist) returns this month to the CSC Benjamin Center in a 3-part series which will explore the benefits of Eastern (Traditional) medicine in cancer care and treatment. Continue reading to find out more about Dr. Wen and Eastern (Traditional) Medicine and sign up for what will surely be a fascinating, informative workshop!

Dr. Wen, thank you for speaking with us today. Please tell readers a bit about yourself. How long have you been practicing Eastern medicine? 

I received my medical degree in 1987 from Beijing University, where they offered a 6-year program that trained us in both “Conventional” Western medicine as well as “Traditional” Eastern medicine or what we refer to today as Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). I continued on to do research while gaining extensive clinical experience through my residency in an integrative program that combined Eastern and Western medicine. Thereafter, I moved to the United States and have been practicing in Los Angeles for over 20 years. I also teach in Santa Monica and Marina del Rey.

I've been very interested in cancer and in helping patients battle cancer right from the very beginning. The ideal treatment, in my experience, has been for patients with cancer to combine traditional methods, such as acupuncture, herbs, and qi gong with Western medicine. The patients seem to benefit most from an integrative approach. For the past 2 years, we've been running an acupuncture clinic specifically for cancer patients and a large percentage of my patients are fighting cancers of many types.

Due to my training in both Eastern and Western medicine, as well my extensive clinical experience utilizing the approaches of both disciplines, I believe I provide a unique perspective and a more comprehensive understanding of how to treat cancer. My practice incorporates methods to strengthen the immune system, which is a major part of cancer care. 

What are 3 things you hope community members will learn from your three workshops? 

1. The benefits of acupuncture with cancer treatment 

2. How to integrate Traditional Chinese Medicine with cancer treatment

3. Nutrition and cancer prevention

There’s really a lot that can be done if you combine Eastern and Western ideas in the right way. In fact, the two often work hand in hand. For example, Traditional Chinese Medicine, such as acupuncture and taking the right herbal formulations, can alleviate side effects of chemotherapy and boost the immune system, which strengthens the body and speeds up recovery. When it comes to cancer prevention, there are some basic principles and approaches that I would like to share, which will be very useful to this community.

I also want members to come in with questions, as I am always happy to try to answer and provide as much knowledge and information as I can. I bring a different perspective, which I hope will be valuable to this group. 

What are some advantages of incorporating Eastern Medicine into a treatment plan, particularly for those affected by cancer? 

Let me give an example. I have a patient who was diagnosed with lung cancer that had metastasized (spread) to the brain. She was given 3 months to live. She began acupuncture and started taking herbs in conjunction with a light dose of chemotherapy. She is in her seventies today, cancer free and recently competed on the show "Dancing with the Stars.” It's amazing what finding the right combination between Eastern and Western medicine can do. 

** Update: If you have any questions for Dr. Wen, please comment below and we will forward them on to him to be answered in his upcoming workshops on Feb. 9 and Feb. 23. Thank you!