There are number of
methods used to treat cancer. The aim is to remove the cancerous cells, rebuild
the dead cancer cells while making sure the cancer does not come back.
The
Growth of Complementary and Alternative Medicine for Cancer Patients
Interest in Complementary and Alternative
Medicine has grown steadily throughout the United States. Reported usage of
complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) among American Adults is now over
60%.
Individuals undergoing cancer treatment and
therapy have equally higher rates of usage. CAM activities such as diet,
exercise, alkalinity. meditation, and spirituality have become commonly
accepted and practiced in health care facilities across the nation.
It is important to remember that no
large scale clinical trials have found any alternative or complementary
therapies to be able to reduce or eliminate cancer on
their own. There are countless anecdotes and personal stories of individuals
“beating cancer by simply doing — “but it is
advisable for patients to be careful of less than scrupulous CAM practitioners.
With that said, many physicians agree that there are numerous CAM therapies
that can play a valuable role in helping to manage cancer therapy
related symptoms.
A fellow by the name of Don Porter (himself a
stage 4 eight year cancer cure man, has had impressive success with a temporary
high pH (Alkalinity) using a Baking Soda Protocol with Baking Soda mixed
with Black Strap Molasses, or maple syrup for 11 days. His Protocol is combined
with a Form of a macrobiotic Diet and Aloe for improved healing. The results with many cancer victims, over 8+ years are
impressive, with successes over 10 year severe Melanoma suffering man, man
given 3 weeks to live by major Hospital with a PSA near 1,200 and cancer all
over his body and bones, seemingly cured in a few months. No recurrences of cancer have occurred,
although there are not quality records or follow-ups. see "donportercancer"
for more info.
Yoga and meditation are two excellent examples
of CAM therapies that can play a role in helping to improve a cancer patient’s
quality of life. Both are ancient practices with roots in India and usage in
Ayurvedic medicine. In relation to modern cancer care,
they each have been found as a great way forcancer patients to
reduce anxiety, stress, and mood disturbances. Yoga, specifically, has been
found to be great for improving flexibility, balance, and range of motion for
certain patients. Both Yoga and meditation have seen tremendous growth in terms
of public acceptance throughout the past ten years. Yoga especially has become
something of a cultural trend; spawning things such as the yoga pant, yoga
body, and yoga mommy. In regards to healthcare, many large health care
facilities now offer a wide range of yoga and meditation based classes for a
huge variety of patients.
Not every CAM option has been found to be
clinically helpful or significant. Many popular forms of “alternative medicine”
have little to no large-scale clinical validation. Homeopathy is an ideal
example of an extremely popular and mainstream alternative medical practice
with virtually no large scale clinical validation. Homeopathy is a complex
European medical practice with a wide range of very controversial tenets.
Homeopathy is most famous for its law of minimum dose – the idea that the lower
the dose of the medication, the greater its potency. Most recently, homeopathic
practitioners came under popular media fire for recommending homeopathic
vaccinations for children rather than state and government recommended
vaccinations. When tested, the homeopathic vaccinations were found to be unable
to prevent infection of the designated diseases and were thus highly likely to
expose children to risk.
In conclusion, cancer patients
and their physicians should seek out the most evidence
based practices that are the most likely to have a positive
effect on their therapies. For health care providers it is important to work to
create an environment of trust in which a patient feels comfortable talking
about and asking about CAM options. CAM options work best when used in conjunction
with conventional medicine and as such it is crucial that health care providers
understand the complete treatment picture in order to avoid
potentially adverse outcomes. Current data indicates that Diet, Stress,
Alkalinity, Organic foods are Important contributors to an efficient cancer
treatment plan!