Cancer treatment: A complex challenge
I was sitting by the pool at the Rio hotel/casino in Las Vegas a few months ago having a conversation with a woman I just met, about cancer treatment. I don’t know how it came about but a few days later she sent me a lengthy email describing and detailing her holistic/natural approach to get well. Chemotherapy was not looked at as a reasonable, productive option.
Since I have been diagnosed in November, well-meaning friends, families, and strangers have sent me a variety of strategies for healing my Stage IV, metastatic pancreatic cancer. I am going with the science based traditional chemotherapy route but have not ignored the information sent to me. My approach is always the same. Check everything out I have time for, no matter how odd it might seem.
I have supplied a few of the many “cancer treatments” that I have received.
The woman at the pool sent this information. She says that, “Bitter Apricot Seeds - 9-12 per day is proven in Europe to fight cancer. This is a form of B-17. You will need all the Vitamin B’s...B- 6 liquid, and B-12. Rick Simpson Oil to help fight cancer cells and could help with inflammation and pain. If you aren’t comfortable with THC look for CBD oil - organic only. Black Seed oil helps the immune system and is an Antiinflammatory. Premier Resveratrol and also helps immune system.” She concluded with more herb references and suggested books.
“Guanabana or Soursop leaves. Fights cancer cells and gets rid of parasites. Most people with cancer have higher amounts of parasites. There are different ways to use Turmeric. It helps inflammation and fights cancer cells. Some books that helped me are: Rebuild - by Dr. Robert Zembroski, The Grape Cure by Johanna Brandt and Life Changing Foods by Anthony Williams.
John,
We are on a similar journey. Keep smiling, live in the now, and enjoy every moment it truly is more precious than ever!”
I have read about and researched a few of the many other tools: AHCC, Magic Pill Keto diet, cyber-knife, and pancreas removal. When I use the word “research” I mean that I go to several medical web sites including the ones at major institutions like Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in NYC, Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, Yale Cancer Center in CT, and Johns Hopkins in Maryland just to name just a few. I want to emphasize that I take every suggestion seriously, because who really knows what really works best. There are obviously all kinds of “success stories” circulating.
Recently I met a massage therapist who talked to me about the therapeutic benefits of using a trampoline. She said,” I want to be upfront: lymphatic massage in general is still a debatable subject whether it helps or harms cancer patients (actually some go as far as to say that massage is not safe). The whole idea is whether we can spread it around the body or not. I think you can do the research and decide whether you think it will benefit you or not. It does seem to be questionable if cancer is already in the lymphatic system ( lymph nodes) but in reality, cleaning up your body is the job of the lymphatic system. Anyway here is a link to one company that sells the trampolines.”
Finally, in the June 19, Vol. 5 Number 3 issues of CONQUER magazine, Dr. Pankaj Vashi makes a really important point regarding cancer care and views of alternative, unconventional or natural treatments.
“Although some patients fear approaching their doctor to discuss the use of a natural or alternative treatment plan, that fear is not based on facts. You should never be afraid to discuss the direction of your treatment with your medical team, including your oncologist. However, before turning to a treatment plan outside of conventional, evidence-informed cancer therapies, it is important that there is also strong clinical evidence to support the use of the alternative treatment. If a natural or alternative treatment does not interfere with your doctor’s recommended treatment, or if there is evidence that it works, most oncologists won’t mind if you try one.