Folks I have recently been surfing the net and found a site. I know that conventional theropy is proven to beat cancer. But is it not possible that there are other ways.
I guess I am wondering about "microwaving cells" "hyperthermia" I am reading about a Medical Center in the States that has claims. I was wondering if anyone else has heard of this. It is supported by definate real people. I just was wondering if anybody has heard of this process before.
I am wondering if there really are less invasive ways to kill off cancer. I mean working together with conventional. I am no stranger to holistic measures and just now realizing how much diet can play.
Since I have been diagnosed I have discovered a japenese green tea that has been studied by the mayo clinic. If anything it is helping with smoking every time I crave one take a swallow of the tea and the craving goes away. I also seem to have more energy.
So in short I was just wondering about this alternative treatment. Some testimonials didn't even have the surgery. If it isn't true how can they get away with saying it does and get people's hopes up?
Thanks
I think the TomoTherapy machine acomplishes about the same thing as a microwave.
You can stick a fork in me, but I think after 23 session (nearly 12 hours) I am quite well cooked!
You don't put up the sites you found that you think had valuable alternatives. It's hard for any of us here to comment without looking at what you are reading.
Alternative therapies have been discussed here a lot. We are not big advocates of alternative, however - complimentary, that's another thing altogether.
There are certainly lots of "new" ideas out there. IF you read our news stories we have been following nano particles for several years which may prove in the future, to be a very targeted way of attaching themselves only to cancer cells, and then have a specific therapy be able to identify and just work on those cells. This is really interesting stuff. Is it going to be available in the next few years? Not likely.
Thanks I have been trying to find stuff out not real computer literate...Didn't want to cross any lines of the site trying to be respectful. I am not sure I am understanding the difference between alternative and complementary. I thought they were the same thing. Complementary and alternative both being diet, vitamins, which add to surgery. Is not radiation and chemo a complementary to the cure of surgery. Guess I must be totally mixed up with all of this and will go back and try to find the place where you talked about "new" ideas. I didn't think I could put up the site I was at but it is Saint Joseph Medical Center not sure where it is but I just stumbled upon it.
Thanks guys...
Looking good doesn't mean good. Usually it means lining someones pocket with the Great Green. Beware of rpomises bearing gifts. They sometime hold traps to nab us.
Well in the simplest terms, alternative is just that, a choice different than what we might consider mainstream treatments. Complimentary means that it is something that adds to (compliments) our existing standard of care treatments. If people choose not to go with what we know scientifically works... for whatever reason, and choose to try herbal cures, faith healing, cure by diet choices, and similar things, then those people are better served finding a site that has like kinds of people on it. This is because OCF, and it's doctors that compose our science advisory board, recommend those current mainstream clinical treatments that are contemporary and being used in the top cancer treatment facilities in the US. These treatments which are the current standard of care (which is reflected in many forms, such as the NCCN guidelines which you can see on the main site), are not absolutes, but they are based on clinical evidence of efficacy. We know the ups and downsides of them, and given the alternatives, they are the treatments of choice BASED ON CLINICAL EVIDENCE, NOT SOMEONE'S OPINION OR TESTIMONIAL. When you find sites with testimonials, that is a red flag that they are promoting something that is more likely to separate you from your money than your disease.
Things can compliment these SOC treatments in many ways, in not all of which is there hard evidence to prove that they really do help, but there exists enough anecdotal evidence to know that they at least do no harm. For instance, proper diet and nutrition is complimentary to treatments, even supplementation with vitamins etc. likely has a complimentary effect, but it is not black and white. There is evidence that some of what seems logical, like taking over the counter antioxidants during treatment, may have a detrimental effect on the success or effectiveness of the treatments. So in all this we ask people to follow their doctor's recommendations, and if they wish to add something to the mix, that they treating staff is aware that they are doing so.
We have had numerous people come here over the years that appear to be more afraid of the treatments than the disease. They invariably, early in their illness, choose to try an "alternative" that has few of the significant negative side effects of radiation or chemo etc. By the time they find out that their alternative is not working, and make a choice to submit to the mainstream treatments which most cancer patients survive through, it is often too late for those treatments to be effective, as the disease has progressed. Each time this has happened it is a sad experience for all involved. We do our best to discourage these kinds of people from this path, but fear is often much stronger than logic. I personally have stopped trying to change people's minds about this as logic and reasoning seldom works. So in the end, while we discuss complimentary things on these boards, we do not discuss alternative healing methods.
Thank you for helping me with this one. I do not wish to take chances with this disease and yes the fear of possible radiation and extensive surgery, I won't lie, is really scaring me as well as the fact that we really have no choice but to go with what is proven to work or the alternative is do nothing and die. I know many people have worn and are in these shoes. Every day there is more. Your knowledge and experience is all I was hoping for and you helped me out a great deal. Like a lot of people I would like to believe that there can be a better way to cure this than the effects of radiation. Also like a lot of people in this situation would love to have the power to made it just poof disappear. Reality is I do believe in a higher power not necessarily God so to speak and do believe and have seen miracles happen. There is a reason for everything even if we as humans don't see it. I also believe that god helps those who help themselves and the power of prayer can be very strong. Seeking and getting help from the medical professionals is first necessary and to praying to get help through is the miracle.
You mentioned something about over the counter antioxidents interferring with the treatment. I presently am drinking a green tea that is helping me at the moment quitting smoking and giving me energy. It has been studied by researchers at the Mayo Clinic and has definate effect on cancer cells. (I have a web site and don't know if anyone would like it.) I am going to let the drs know that I am drinking it to find out how soon to stop before surgery. I have also read about special diets and some foods that cancer feeds off of. I don't want to do anything to interfere with my fight to be cancer free at the same time if there are diets and foods that help I want to know that too. I have always been holistic minded and I have found some things to work and others just a waste of money.
I would like to thank you for you knowledge, imput and patience with me Brian and other members. Like most just trying to find answers.
Keep up the great work.
Green tea hasn't been a problem in anything that I have read. There is no reason not to drink it or take it as a powdered supplement if you desire that I know of.
While we are all afraid of the treatments, and I don't think there is anyone out here that wouldn't jump at an easier alternative, it just isn't there today.... we are getting closer though. Our children will likely have an easier go of all this than we do. Even the progress that has been made in radiation in the last 10 years since I went through before IMRT, has reduced collateral damage / morbidity to people, reduced long term quality of life issues, and better targeted the disease itself. So it is getting better. That does not mean that it has become any walk in the park, as you can clearly read from people's experiences here, but the treatments are more successful, targeted therapies are beginning to be available like Erbitux, and more.
Just try and keep in mind the big picture, life after all this, and what you will take away from this experience. Many people here, in spite of the difficulty, both physically and emotionally to do this dance, post that their lives have often been transformed in positive ways by the process. Of course this is always a retrospective comment, but it is worth noting. More than that, one day with this experience in your rearview mirror, you will reach out to help someone else that does not have your experience or first hand knowledge, that needs someone to listen to their concerns - and you will be the enabler in their process to understand and deal with their battle. You will likely even tell people that are healthy about this journey, and they will know enough to perhaps avoid the risk factors that bring people to this. If you believe that your life has a purpose, perhaps that purpose will be realized in what you do after this, and this is only part of the process that gives you the inner strength to accomplish that.
Clearly you have a spiritual side. Those that do, often have an easier emotional journal than others. For some, faith is the one thing that makes the journey possible. In looking at all the possible assets you can bring to bear on getting through the journey some are no further away for you than what you believe and think.
You are very eliquant (gosh my spelling needs work) and a gem of a find!
Prayers from world wide and local, sure made my journey much easier and I never had a doubt that I would pull thru. I made it big time and am still smiling. Keep the faith. Of course great Drs had a lot to do with being cured also.
I would have to say that when it comes to all types of cancer; if you find it on the internet or your oncologist doesn't present it to you as a treatment adjunct or alternative it probably has little to no merit and as Brian stated will only separate you from your hard earned dollars and leave a whole lot of disappointment.
If ever anyone is in doubt about a possible treatment they should discuss it with their doctors.
As for the green tea and prayers they are all part of a healthy lifestyle and will certainly not harm you and studies have shown that prayer, meditation and humor all reduce stress and strengthen the immune system.
Cheers,
Mike
Thanks folks for the sound advice...I have always been one to get caught up in and believe what I read or hear...very trusting and some would say gullible. This experience though has seemed to make me more leary. Even with doctors....won't believe it is gone until after surgery and get all clear...that seems so far away
Thanks again for imput
Dianne
Its good to look at all the options, but you can only trust whats proven ..
Well I saw my Holy Grail cure for my throat that has problems from delayed radiation and has turned to scar tissue on the inside.It's a stem cell study from your own blood marrow that can regrow a new esphogus.They have already done this for a 30 y/o woman and the operation was a success.This is my best hope for a cure for me before I chock to death on a bite of food.Does anybody know about this procedure or more info on it?
has it only worked for one person?
how many has it not worked for?
what are the side effects or long term ramifications?
i would want more solid stats to feel comfortable with it if it is surgery ... and would want to know they are reputable (alternative fine - but have to be reputable)
Have you already looked into having your throat dilated?
I saw that stem cell reproduction too. It is absolutely amazing I know I will be overwhelmed and amazed by the price tag too!!! It was a you tube connection from this site. I am at a loss now as to who posted the connection and where or when for that matter I just remember watching it and wow it is the holly grail and probably as costly...
fogelbergfan, What is delayed radiation? I saw your post and was not sure what you meant. Thanks, Angel