Despite massive funding and 60 years of research Cancer is more widespread than ever and has now become the leading cause of death in the western world.  There are many opinions on the causes and treatment of cancer.  The cause may be genetic, environmental, or emotional – and every specialist can justify their opinion.  Treatment options range from the orthodox approaches of surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy to the alternatives of laughter therapy or a diet of quark and flaxseed oil (both of which have well documented and positive results).  We present a 2 part series looking at possible causes of cancer and different treatment approaches. In our own practice we inform the client of all the choices available and encourage and support them in making the decision which is right for them – irrespective of our own beliefs.  From the many and diverse approaches to treatment, muscle testing (checking / monitoring / bio-feedback etc) and Kinesiology provide us with wonderful tools to help an individual choose the right course for him and to support him on his journey – which may be to recovery, or to a better quality of life for a period of time, or may be to a more peaceful way of dying.

The allopathic approach to cancer treatment offers the choice of surgery, chemotherapy or radiotherapy.  Surgery offers some success in cases of isolated tumours without secondary spread.  However where there is secondary spread chemotherapy is the usual treatment choice. In 1990 Dr Ulrich Abel, a statistician, published the results of his meta-analysis of the outcomes of chemotherapy on survival rates (Cancer Chronicles Dec. 1990).  For various common cancers he demonstrated in case after case that there was “no evidence of effectiveness” for chemotherapy – perhaps not surprising given that chemotherapy clatters the immune system and overloads the liver with toxins.  Chemotherapy is also carcinogenic and increases the chances of a patient getting cancer should he survive this episode.

The Oasis of Hope hospital in Mexico uses non-conventional therapies.  A comparison of their results (5 year survival rates) against the American Medical Association statistics is illuminating, especially when you consider that the Oasis of Hope population includes many who have already tried the standard regimes of surgery and/or chemotherapy - so they are more likely to be immuno-compromised and debilitated.
 

1. Distant: A malignant cancer that has spread to parts of the body remote from the primary tumor either by direct extension or by discontinuous metastasis to distant organs, tissues, or via the lymphatic system to distant lymph nodes.

The Oasis of Hope Hospital – Information Handbook (The Contreras Metabolic Therapy )

There are obviously huge financial and political issues in what some people call “the cancer industry” but the purpose of these two articles is to look at how we can help those people suffering from cancer.   I would like to look at some of the treatment choices.  These suggestions are by no means exhaustive, but indicate some of the more acceptable and well understood approaches to cancer treatment.  These approaches are non-toxic and have proven benefits 

Contrary to what is usually understood cancer is NOT a tumour. A tumour is a by-product of cancer. Just like a runny nose is a by-product of a cold or ‘flu. A runny nose is not the ‘flu. Cancer is a healing process that hasn’t terminated.  In a normal healing process, oestrogen stimulates production of stem cells for healing.  When the body part is healed, pancreatic enzymes stop the healing process. However when they don’t stop the healing process, tumours result as ‘rogue’ healing processes continue.

This is why tumours usually appear at the site where healing is taking place. For example, too much exposure to the sun causes the body to begin a healing process to heal damaged skin tissue. When the healing process is not terminated then skin lesions are the result.  . Lung cancer is the result of a rogue healing process that originally set out to repair smoke and chemical damaged tissue. Some brain tumours may be associated with excessive use of mobile phones and their electro magnetic radiations causing tissue damage.

Cancer is NOT the tumour – cancer is a process. The tumour is simply the PRODUCT of cancer. Many researchers are now convinced that cancer is a metabolic disease – which in a sense is good news, because bringing the body’s biochemistry into balance through good nutrition can prevent it.

So how can you avoid cancer and what can you do if you have cancer?  If you break a leg you don’t enter a marathon – you rest and your leg will heal.  If you have cancer you can rest your whole body by supporting yourself physically, nutritionally, and emotionally.

In his book, “Cancer: Why We’re Still Dying to Know the Truth”, health researcher and writer Phillip Day recommends a diet consisting of 80% alkali ash foods and 20% acid ash foods.  Research done by Nobel Prizewinner, Dr Otto Warburg, showed that alkaline bodies absorb up to 20 times more oxygen than acidic bodies. He also showed that cancer thrives in an environment that is acidic and oxygen depleted. Eating a diet rich in alkalising foods is an excellent way to increase the oxygen absorption in your tissues. You can do this by increasing your consumption of fruit, vegetables, nuts and seeds and reducing or eliminating your intake of meat, wheat, dairy, alcohol and coffee.

It is important to drink at least 2 litres of good quality water a day – some experts recommend up to 4 litres a day.

To replenish the vital vitamins and minerals missing from your foods, most nutritionists recommend supplementing your diet with a good vitamin and mineral programme. Most health shops sell multivitamins and mineral combinations.  Many people now are aware of the benefits of taking antioxidants like vitamin C.  Antioxidants reduce the levels of damaging free radicals in your body.  You may take other supplements to boost your immune system, to support your liver function, and to enhance your general well-being

Vitamin B17 has been shown to have strong anticancer properties and is used by thousands of people worldwide as a cancer preventative or in a programme of treatment. Laevo-mandelonitrile-beta-glycuronoside (more briefly called Laetrile) – or vitamin B17  - breaks down to Cyanide in cancer cells whilst healthy cells are not affected.  Laetrile breaks down to Cyanide in cancer cells under the influence of beta-glycuronidase which is found in large amounts in cancer cells.  Apple seeds and apricot kernels are good sources of B17.  Interestingly enough, the Hunza tribe of Pakistan grow apricot trees and eat large amounts of apricot kernels.  They do not get cancer.

Pancreatic enzymes facilitate the entry of B17 into the cancer cells and so some patients take Pancreatic Enzyme supplements.

A growing number of scientists agree that our emotions influence our health. Of course this is no surprise to any Kinesiologist. In the excellent book, “Molecules of Emotion”, by noted scientist Professor Candace Pert, we learn that changes in emotions cause changes in biochemistry (in other words, emotions affect the functioning of your body and its ability to ward off illness). The idea that lack of emotional expression is linked to illness is not a new one (Plato said this 2,500 years ago).  Therapies like reflexology, massage, Reiki, Kinesiology and Emotional Freedom Technique help people to release blocked emotions and lead to better health.

For years now scientists have known that there is a link between stress and cancer. Therefore it makes good sense to deal with your stress. An excellent way to do so is through meditation. In some scientific studies, meditation was found to reduce the risk of cancer by up to 50%.  Creative visualisation ie. imagining your body healing, also has profound benefits.  When your body and mind are completely peaceful then healing can take place more powerfully.

Scientists are now more convinced than ever that our environment affects our health.  Cigarette smoke, electro magnetic frequencies, pesticides and food additives can all adversely affect our health.  Throw out the chemicals in your bathroom and buy non-toxic soaps and toothpastes

It is essential to get sufficient rest and sleep.  Be kind to yourself.  At the same time physical activity is a very good way to pump toxins out of your body. Your lymph system is effectively the sewage transport system in your body and it relies upon muscular movements to pump the sewage (toxins) out.  Walking, swimming and yoga are excellent forms of exercise.  Yoga is becoming increasingly popular as people recognise the physical, mental, and emotional benefits.  Rebounding is another excellent way of stimulating lymph flow.

Your immune system and your sense of well-being will both benefit from good doses of laughter.  It’s a good idea to avoid depressing news broadcasts and violent films.  Just for fun see how you feel when you avoid news programmes, newspapers, and violent movies for a few weeks.  I’ve done this and it made a noticeable difference to my mood and energy levels

Say a prayer for your own health and for that of your loved ones. Studies have finally confirmed that prayer works.  A study in the British Medical Journal (BMJ, 2001, 323, 1450-1451) examined the effects of prayer on 3393 patients with blood infections over a period of six years. The study found that the recovery rates for the patients that were prayed for were faster than the patients who were not prayed for (none of the patients knew they were being prayed for).