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Archive for the ‘Radiotherapy for breast cancer’ Category

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Metatrol: Integrative Support to Improve the Treatment of Cancer

In Alternative Cancer Therapies, Alternatives Cancer Treatment, Cancer, chemotherapy, Integrative Oncology, nutraceuticals, Radiotherapy for breast cancer on April 29, 2024 at 7:52 am

Fermented wheat germ extract (FWGE) is a natural compound derived from fermentation of wheat germ. FWGE is a promising anticancer compound that can be integrated into or improve the current treatment of cancer. It is widely used in cancer treatment as it has been found to protect healthy cells from radiation and starve cancer cells of their nutrition. Research shows that various types of cancer cells treated with FWGE have responded with cytotoxic effects, alteration of the cell cycle, antiproliferative effects, and induction of apoptosis (cancer cell death).[i] There are clinical studies and proof of FWGE’s chemotherapy and radiotherapy support. Notably, Metatrol® is the only gluten-free FWGE, and is the most potent, concentrated formula on the market.

Dr Mitch Gaynor, my integrative oncologist, introduced me to FWGE (AveUltra) when I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007. This was for its anticancer benefits and for my low white blood cell count (I was not doing chemo or radiation, but the goal was to support my immune system). The original formula wasn’t too pleasant as it was a powder you had to mix with water, so I didn’t stay on it long. But Metatrol® is easy, just two pills a day. I started on it a few months ago when I noticed my white blood cell count had dropped. A month later it was up nicely. Many of my clients have had their doctors recommend this either during conventional treatments or as part of a holistic protocol.

One of the detrimental effects of chemo and radiation is the destruction of the immune system. Chemo reduces the number of infection-fighting white blood cells which makes it harder for your body to fight infections and eliminate cancer cells.[ii] Radiotherapy can damage your body’s lymphatic system, which is a network of channels and glands that form part of your immune system.

When your body has very low levels of white blood cells (and particularly neutrophils), this increases your risk of getting an infection. This common side effect of chemo is called neutropenia, and even a minor infection can become very serious. It could become life-threatening within hours (as can be the case with sepsis).[iii] Importantly, after chemo and or radiation, your immune system can stay suppressed for several months.

Research indicates that taking FWGE once or twice a day while undergoing chemotherapy may help reduce the risk of death and may help prevent cancer from becoming worse or spreading compared to chemo alone.[iv]  See also the dosage of two capsules daily in the studies below. As it can take anywhere from weeks to months after cancer treatments are over for you to get a healthy immune response back, further immune support is likely a very good idea.

Caution: FWGE extract can increase the activity of the immune system. Some medications, such as those used after a transplant, intentionally decrease the activity of the immune system. Taking FWGE along with these medications might decrease the effects of these medications. Be sure to speak with your doctor about FWGE if you are on any type of immunosuppressive therapy.

Supporting Research:

Chemotherapy is a cornerstone of conventional cancer treatment, but it can also induce immune suppression, which can have significant implications for patient outcomes. This review paper aims to give a general overview of how chemotherapy affects the immune system and how it affects cancer treatment. Chemotherapy can directly affect immune cells, leading to cytotoxic effects, cell differentiation and function alterations, and cell communication and signaling pathways disruptions. Such immune suppression can weaken the anti-tumor immune response and increase the risk of immune-related toxicities. Understanding the mechanisms of chemotherapy-induced immune suppression is crucial for optimizing treatment strategies. Strategies to mitigate immune suppression include immunomodulatory agents as adjuvants to chemotherapy, combination therapies to enhance immune function, and supportive care measures of the immune system. Additionally, identifying potential biomarkers to predict immune suppression and guide treatment decisions holds promise for personalized cancer medicine. Future directions in this field involve further elucidating underlying mechanisms, exploring novel combination therapies, and developing targeted interventions to minimize immune suppression. By understanding and addressing chemotherapy-induced immune suppression, we can optimize cancer treatment strategies, enhance the anti-tumor immune response, and improve patient outcomes. [v]

Fermented wheat germ extract (FWGE; trade name AVEMAR) is a natural compound derived from industrial fermentation of wheat germ. Its potential anticancer properties have emerged from recent studies. The aim of this systematic review is to summarize the data available in the scientific literature concerning the in vitro activity of FWGE on malignant cells. A systematic review of English articles in electronic databases has been performed. The primary outcomes of the review regarded types of cancer cell lines subjected to the investigation and the main results concerning cell viability, proliferation, and apoptosis observed within the studies. Sixteen articles were included in the final qualitative analysis. Various types of cancer cells treated with FWGE have been analyzed, showing mainly cytotoxic effects, alteration of the cell cycle, antiproliferative effects, and induction of apoptosis (cancer cell death). [vi]

The information and studies below on FWGE were provided by American BioSciences.

Always speak with your medical professional before taking any supplements.

METATROL®, GLUTEN-FREE, FERMENTED WHEAT GERM EXTRACT SUPER CONCENTRATE. In 2004, American BioSciences started distributing the Hungarian Fermented Wheat Germ Extract (FWGE) Avemar® under the brand name Ave’®, and began a collaboration with Dr. Mate Hidvegi, who asked our company to invest in new manufacturing technology to make a more potent dietary supplement product.  We set up factories in the U.S. and Germany, to make our Ave’Ultra® product (also sold under the brand name Oncomar® by Xymogen), which provided the same amount of FWGE active molecules, but reduced the daily dose by more than 50%.  We continued our research and development, which enabled us to further concentrate the biologically beneficial molecules from FWGE. Using a patented process, we now manufacture a gluten-free Fermented Wheat Germ Extract-Super Concentrate (FWGE-SC®), which we market under the brand names Metatrol® and Metatrol PRO®.

Research on FWGE is extensive. Close to 60 articles in medical journals describing hundreds of studies in cell lines and with animal and human subjects can be found via the National Library of Medicine HERE and the full text of most can be found via www.fwgeresearch.org.

These show that FWGE helps regulate cell metabolism,* inhibits non-oxidative glucose metabolism,* enhances oxidative glucose metabolism,* and supports many mechanisms of immune system regulation.*  This article from the New York Academy of Sciences is a good review:

The most recent paper, results of a multi-year collaboration with Cold Spring Harbor Lab on a lab scale version of Metatrol /Metatrol PRO FWGE-SC®, known by the experimental name, A250, was published in Nature Scientific Reports: Bencze, G., Bencze, S., Rivera, K.D. et al. Mito-oncology agent: fermented extract suppresses the Warburg effect, restores oxidative mitochondrial activity, and inhibits in vivo tumor growth. Sci Rep 10, 14174 (2020). Abstract below.

“Abstract: Mitochondrial dysfunction and significant changes in metabolic pathways accompany cancer development and are responsible for maintaining the tumor micro-environment. Normal mitochondria can trigger intrinsic apoptosis by releasing cytochrome c into the cytosol. The survival of malignant cells highly depends on the suppression of this function. We validated that A250, a highly purified fraction of fermented wheat germ extract (FWGE), increases the carbon flux into the mitochondria, the expression of key elements of the Krebs cycle and oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS). The increased respiratory chain activity is related to the mitochondria’s ability to release cytochrome c into the cytosol, which triggers the apoptotic cascade. The 68% tumor growth inhibitory effect observed in the murine melanoma study is related to this effect, as proteomic analysis validated similar changes in mitochondrial protein levels in the isolated tumor tissue samples. Blood count data indicated that this effect was not accompanied by general toxicity. This study is significant, as it shows that a highly concentrated form of FWGE is an effective agent that increases normal mitochondrial functionality. The lack of hepatotoxic and general toxic effects makes A250 an excellent candidate targeting mitochondria function in cancer therapy.”

Our research with Cold Spring Harbor Lab utilized a process known as “bio-assay guided fractionation,” where we attempted to identify which of the 10,000 or so molecules in FWGE/Avemar account for its biological activity. In the end, we did not find one single molecule that accounts for FWGE/Avemar’s health benefits, but we did isolate the “bio-active fraction” of approximately 100 molecules, referred to as “A250” in research, which is found in Metatrol Pro, and we have established that 41 mg of this fraction, found in 2 Metatrol PRO capsules, is bio-equivalent with 5,500 mg of whole FWGE/Avemar.

We developed a patented technology (2 patents granted this year) to manufacture a gluten-free, bioactive FWGE fraction, which we now call FWGE-SC®, which in the powder form, FWGE-SCP is the ingredient in Metatrol.  Assays show that 2 Metatrol capsules, containing 41 mg of FWGE-SC, or 830 mg of FWGE-SCP is bioequivalent with 5,500 mg of whole FWGE, the dose used in clinical trials.  For additional information visit The Harmony Company.

American BioSciences was established in 1999, and is involved in research, manufacturing, and marketing of dietary supplements. They have collaborated with leading medical researchers in the US and abroad, and our products contain ingredients which have been extensively studied to show safety and health benefits.  Their dietary supplements are sold via many health food stores and pharmacies, Amazon.com, and direct to consumer distributors such as The Harmony Company.

I am not affiliated with The Harmony Company nor American BioSciences. This is not a paid-for article. I simply enjoy sharing educational support for cancer patients. I recommend only supplements I value and take myself.

You can purchase Metatrol directly from The Harmony Company or via Amazon as well as from practitioners.

In your everlasting good health,

Elyn

~~If you don’t know your options, you don’t have any~~

Elyn Jacobs is a breast cancer survivor and holistic cancer strategist who helps people make healthier, less-toxic choices for their healing. She emphasizes the importance of not just surviving cancer but surviving well and reducing the risk of recurrence. She is a Contributing Editor for The Truth About Cancer and is on the Medical Advisory Board for BeatCancer.Org and the Advisory Board to the Radical Remission Project. Elyn has written for numerous journals and publications. She was the former Executive Director of the Emerald Heart Cancer Foundation and the creator and host of the Survive and Live Well Radio Show. To contact Elyn, visit www.elynjacobs.com. Elyn offers consults via Skype, phone, or in-person. Elyn does not provide online advice.

DISCLAIMER:
Elyn Jacobs does not provide medical advice. The information provided is for general information only. No online site should be used as a substitute for personal medical attention.

This information is for educational purposes only and is not a recommendation to forgo medical advice and treatment. This post is not intended to treat, cure, prevent, or diagnose any disease or condition. This post does not represent medical advice, nor should it be considered to be medical advice or a replacement for medical advice. I encourage you to discuss this information with your integrative oncologist, naturopathic doctor, or conventional oncologist. The information provided is from my research and not to be taken as scientific evidence. Elyn Jacobs Consulting, Inc. does not provide endorsement for the content, claims, or products discussed in this article.

Affiliate Links Disclosure:

Some product links on some posts are affiliate links. This website is monetized in part using affiliate links. This means that if you were to click on a link that is an affiliate link and purchase an item after clicking on that link, I may receive a small percentage of the sales price. I only recommend products that I love and use often. Thank you for your support!

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[i] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6213720/

[ii] https://www.cdc.gov/sepsis/sepsis-cancer/index.html

[iii] https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/impacts-of-cancer/sepsis#:~:text=This%20is%20most%20common%20if,become%20life%2Dthreatening%20within%20hours.

[iv] https://www.rxlist.com/supplements/fermented_wheat_germ_extract.htm#:~:text=and%20rectal%20cancer.-,Early%20research%20shows%20that%20taking%20a%20specific%20fermented%20wheat%20germ,spreading%20compared%20to%20chemotherapy%20alone.

[v] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37906273/

[vi] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6213720/

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Why You Might Want to Think Twice About Radiotherapy for Cancer

In Alternative Cancer Therapies, Alternatives to Anti-Hormone Therapy For Breast Cancer, Alternatives to Hormone Therapy for Breast Cancer, Alternatives to Tamoxifen, Anticancer diet, Breast Cancer, Cancer Coach, chemotherapy, Integrative Oncology, Natural Aromatase Inhibitors, Radiotherapy for breast cancer, Uncategorized on January 24, 2023 at 2:19 pm

“Elyn, we could do lumpectomy with radiotherapy, but did you know that radiation can result in more cancer?” These were the words the first surgeon I went to see uttered during my consult (February 2007). Stunned, I told him I would not do it. He then explained that lumpectomy wasn’t really an option considering how much cancer was in my left breast and therefore made no sense to do lumpectomy and harmful radiation. But his words of warning will never be forgotten. I chose mastectomy, but with a different surgeon who also said mastectomy was the best choice (I just felt more comfortable with him and his associated hospital).

The question one needs to ponder is why would any doctor push a cancer-promoting therapy on a person with cancer?  We all know that radiation is linked to cancer, and we all know that potentially and intentionally inflicting up to 3rd degree burns cannot be a good thing! (Read on to understand more on the harms and limitations of radiotherapy as well as chemotherapy.)

When I was diagnosed again in 2014 for stage 3 lymph node involvement, this time I was offered radiation and chemo. I declined both. My oncologist was relieved that I was declining the radiation. He suggested the chemo and when I declined, he offered low-dose chemo. I declined that too, which he was fine with. He had done his job of recommending the standard of care and backed it up with a letter to my surgeon stating I flat out refused. I embarked on a holistic protocol, which he fully supported.

So Why do Docs Recommend Radiation?

What you need to know too is that doctors and other medical professionals can lose their license to practice medicine if they fail to recommend anything other than the standard of care, meaning conventional cancer therapies such as chemo and radiation. These therapies are also part of their very limited toolbox as holistic therapies are typically not taught in medical school.

Sadly, radiation therapy is a huge profession (same for other cancer treatments), one that enthusiastic young medical students flock to. It’s what they are then trained to do and fall under the belief that they are doing good.

True, it is believed that radiotherapy that has the potential to reduce the risk of recurrence in the local area (not always but sometimes). However, no one dies of a local breast tumor, for example. And radiotherapy does nothing for the cancer stem cells, the only cancer cells that can metastasize (“mets”) to other areas such as the lungs, brain, and bones. Metastasis essentially shuts down essential organs and body systems (such as digestion, bones, lungs, liver, brain, etc.), resulting in death.[i] (Of course, the ‘treatment’ for mets is often chemotherapy, which also doesn’t target stem cells and is highly toxic to essential organs, again often resulting in death, particularly when given repeatedly).

But what these professionals do not tell you is that “Cancer stem cells (CSCs) comprise the subpopulation of tumor bulk and acquire resistant to conventional therapies and are considered as the primary tumor initiator cells. Nowadays, the tumor heterogeneity originated from CSCs, and its progenitors are accepted as a mortifying drawback in front of the cancer therapies.”[ii] Let that sink in. In layman terms, it means that CSCs are the reason that conventional treatments fail and encourage progression of the disease.

To learn more about cancer stem cells and what you can do about them, please read Cancer Stem Cells and Progression of Disease: What You Need to Know Now. In the article is a link to a second article and to a podcast of mine.

Other Risks of Radiotherapy:

  • Radiation increases the risk of skin cancer in the treatment area.
  • Radiation to lymph nodes can cause damage to lymph nodes and lead to lymphedema.
  • Radiation treatment to the chest can affect the heart. You may be at a higher risk of cardiac (heart) issues if your breast cancer was in the left breast. Speak to your radiologist for breathing techniques that mitigate this risk.
  • Radiation can cause small cracks (fractures) in the bones that are in the treatment field.
  • Radiation to the chest or underarm area can experience damage to the brachial plexus nerve.
  • Radiation injury to the nerves and muscles is called radiation-induced neuropathy or radiation fibrosis. It tends to develop in the years following treatment and slowly worsens over time [i]

If you are considering radiation (or chemo), I strongly suggest you do your research first. And always work with an integrative professional or coach if you do choose these treatments. If you have had radiotherapy or chemo, I strongly suggest you move on and embrace the fact that you made the best choice you could at the time and meanwhile work on targeting the stem cells as well as the reasons for the original cancer.

To learn more about holistic remedies for cancer, please visit my website.

For Supplement information and brand recommendations, please visit my supplement page HERE.

To learn more about cancer stem cells and what you can do about them, please read Cancer Stem Cells and Progression of Disease: What You Need to Know Now. In the article is a link to a second article and to a podcast of mine.

Always remember that you and only you can determine the best treatment for your cancer. Your cancer, your body, your choice of treatment.

In your everlasting good health,

Elyn

~~If you don’t know your options, you don’t have any~~

Elyn Jacobs is a breast cancer survivor and holistic cancer strategist who helps people make healthier, less-toxic choices for their healing. She emphasizes the importance of not just surviving cancer but surviving well and reducing the risk of recurrence. She is a Contributing Editor for The Truth About Cancer and is on the Medical Advisory Board for BeatCancer.Org and the Advisory Board to the Radical Remission Project. Elyn has written for numerous journals and publications. She was the former Executive Director of the Emerald Heart Cancer Foundation and the creator and host of the Survive and Live Well Radio Show. To contact Elyn, visit www.elynjacobs.com. Elyn offers consults via Skype, phone, or in-person. Elyn does not provide online advice.

DISCLAIMER:
Elyn Jacobs does not provide medical advice. The information provided is for general information only. No online site should be used as a substitute for personal medical attention.

This information is for educational purposes only and is not a recommendation to forgo medical advice and treatment. This post is not intended to treat, cure, prevent, or diagnose any disease or condition. This post does not represent medical advice, nor should it be considered to be medical advice or a replacement for medical advice. I encourage you to discuss this information with your integrative oncologist, naturopathic doctor, or conventional oncologist. The information provided is from my research and not to be taken as scientific evidence. Elyn Jacobs Consulting, Inc. does not provide endorsement for the content, claims, or products discussed in this article.

Affiliate Links Disclosure:

Some product links on some posts are affiliate links. This website is monetized in part using affiliate links. This means that if you were to click on a link that is an affiliate link and purchase an item after clicking on that link, I may receive a small percentage of the sales price. I only recommend products that I love and use often. Thank you for your support!

Follow Elyn on Facebook

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[i] https://www.emedicinehealth.com/how_does_metastasis_cause_death/article_em.htm

[ii] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30268439/ 

But what these professionals do not tell you is that “Cancer stem cells (CSCs) comprise the subpopulation of tumor bulk and acquire resistant to conventional therapies and are considered as the primary tumor initiator cells. Nowadays, the tumor heterogeneity originated from CSCs, and its progenitors are accepted as a mortifying drawback in front of the…

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Options for Breast Cancer: Making the Best Choice for YOU

In Alternative Cancer Therapies, Alternatives to Anti-Hormone Therapy For Breast Cancer, Alternatives to Hormone Therapy for Breast Cancer, Alternatives to Tamoxifen, Anticancer foods, foods for colon cancer, foods for breast cancer, antioxidants, aromatase inhibitors, Breast Cancer, Cancer, Cancer Coach, EMFs and breast cancer, EMFs and Health Risks, Energy Healers, Epstein-Barr Virus, Estrogen, Estrogen and Breast Cancer, Healing Cancer Naturally, High Dose Vitamin C and Cancer, Integrative Oncology, Mind Body Therapies for Cancer, Natural Alternatives to Aromatase Inhibitors, Radiation, Radiotherapy for breast cancer, Tamoxifen, Uncategorized on January 23, 2020 at 2:48 pm

If you don’t know your options (for breast cancer) you don’t have any. That is my motto, and I can’t tell you how important it is to take control of your treatment plan. It is imperative that you make informed choices, not fear-based choices for your breast cancer.

In October, 2014 I found that my previously stage 1 cancer had spread to my lymph nodes. I was subsequently diagnosed as stage 3 (ER+). I have told this story before, but am sharing it again as I want people to know there are many paths to healing breast cancer.

Importantly, there are many reasons why people get cancer and why it returns. Resolving those reasons can make all the difference in survival.

Declining Chemo and Radiation

My choice does not necessarily have to be your choice. I was fortunate that I had a holistically-minded oncologist who supported my choices. A world-renowned integrative oncologist, he believed healing cancer often required both Eastern and Western medicine. This typically involved conventional methods used alongside holistic mind-body therapies, supplements, dietary changes, and more. Most of all, like me, he believed getting to the reason for the cancer is a major part of treating it.

Given my new diagnosis, my oncologist was legally compelled to recommend chemotherapy. I know that if had chosen the conventional chemo (or even the low dose chemo he suggested after I declined traditional chemo) it would have been a reasonable option. I know that if I had chosen it, he would have done everything he could to make the treatment work better with less negative effects.

That said, it did not resonate with me. Part of that came from my mother dying not so much from her cancer, but from the treatment (he was not her doctor). The rest came from my innate feeling that it was not right for me, and that it would not resolve the reason for my recurrence. My oncologist agreed that chemo was not necessarily the best option for me. He said was glad that I opted out of radiotherapy, and supported my choice to skip the aromatase inhibitors. He offered a few other options, but none seemed to resonate with me. I will forever be grateful for his support.

My Choices for Breast Cancer

Instead of the options presented, I chose a protocol put together from my years of research and conference attendance, leaning on input from my oncologist and an alternative doctor friend of mine.  I do believe that most of us have more to learn than we will ever know, and the experience has only strengthened my ability to help my clients through their cancer.

You can read about my protocol HERE. A major part of my healing (and most likely one of the major reasons for the recurrence) was resolving past emotional traumas, which you can read about HERE.

Read about natural alternatives to aromatase inhibitors and tamoxifen HERE.

To listen to me talk with the Templeton Wellness Foundation about my choices, click HERE.

Goals for Healing:

  • Don’t be fooled that your own estrogen is the reason for your breast cancer (it plays a role, but not the lead).
  • Target viruses such as Epstein Barr, which plays a significant role in breast cancer (and you may not realize you have it)
  • Clean house: remove toxic products and people from your life
  • Eat clean without deprivation
  • Take targeted supplements
  • Resolve the traumas that are getting in the way of your healing and may well be at the root cause of your breast cancer
  • Avoid EMFs and take protective measures; for recommendations, click HERE
  • Believe you can and will heal–the power of the mind is incredible!
  • Walk in nature; soak up the positive vibes and the sun
  • Live, laugh, love and smile!
  • If you don’t know your options, you don’t have any

You have many options for healing from breast cancer. I implore you to be informed and make educated, confident choices.  Know that there are many natural substances that can make conventional therapies work better and with less toxicity. You can read about these on my Shop page. To schedule a consult, please click HERE.

In your everlasting good health,

Elyn

~~If you don’t know your options, you don’t have any~~

ej portrait 150res for PrueElyn Jacobs is a breast cancer survivor and holistic cancer strategist who helps people make healthier, less-toxic choices for their healing. She emphasizes the importance of not just surviving cancer, but surviving well and reducing the risk of recurrence. She is a Contributing Editor for The Truth About Cancer and is on the Medical Advisory Board for BeatCancer.Org and the Advisory Board to the Radical Remission Project. Elyn has written for numerous journals and publications. She was the former Executive Director of the Emerald Heart Cancer Foundation and the creator and host of the Survive and Live Well Radio Show. To contact Elyn, visit www.elynjacobs.com. Elyn offers consults via Skype, phone, or in-person. Elyn does not provide online advice.

 DISCLAIMER:
Elyn Jacobs does not provide medical advice. The information provided is for general information only. No online site should be used as a substitute for personal medical attention.

This information is for educational purposes only and is not a recommendation to forgo medical advice and treatment.  This post is not intended to treat, cure, prevent, or diagnose any disease or condition. This post does not represent medical advice nor should it be considered to be medical advice or a replacement for medical advice.  I encourage you to discuss this information with your integrative oncologist, naturopathic doctor, or conventional oncologist. The information provided is from my research and not to be taken as scientific evidence.

Affiliate Links Disclosure:

Some product links on some posts are affiliate links. This website is monetized in part through the use of affiliate links. This means that if you were to click on a link that is an affiliate link and purchase an item after clicking on that link, I may receive a small percentage of the sales price. I only recommend products that I love and use often. Thank you for your support!

Follow Elyn on Facebook

Follow Elyn on LinkedIn

 

 

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Cancer Stem Cells and Progression of Disease: What You Need to Know Now

In Alternative Cancer Therapies, Alternatives Cancer Treatment, Breast Cancer, Cancer, Cancer Coach, chemo and cancer stem cells, chemotherapy, Integrative Oncology, radiation and cancer stem cells, Radiotherapy for breast cancer, Uncategorized, what causes cancer stem cells, what causes cancer to spread on July 8, 2015 at 10:22 am

Could it be that oncologists are missing the key to cancer recurrence and progression?  Could this be why there are so many repeat customers?

For over forty years oncologists have considered tumor reduction and remission as measures of successful treatment.  Are they misguided in placing so much emphasis on this parameter?

During a recent episode of my radio show, Survive and Live Well, Dr Michael Schachter shared his views on Cancer Stem Cells (CSCs)–Cancer Stem Cells are at the forefront of the theory behind the reason conventional treatment often fails.  The following is a summary of the show. To replay the podcast, please visit Cancer Stem Cells.

Dr Schachter explained that the issue of cancer stem cells goes way back to around 1910, though the term wasn’t used then. John Beard MD, PhD, a brilliant Scottish embryologist, proposed the Trophoblastic Theory of Cancer at that time. According to Dr. Beard, during embryological development, 80% of the cells destined to become germ cells migrate to the gonads (male testes and female ovaries). About 20% of these totipotent (immature) germ cells migrate to different areas of the body and remain dormant. These are today’s modern day stem cells that are mobilized to repair damaged tissue.  However, when stem cells become dysregulated (impaired), they can become modern day cancer stem cells. This concept was further developed and brought up to date by cancer clinician and researcher, Nicholas Gonzalez MD, in his brilliant book, The Trophoblast and the Origins of Cancer, which was published in 2010.

Recent research on cancer stem cells has established some amazing facts. Although CSC’s constitute only 1 to 5% of the cancer cells within a tumor, they are the only cancer cells that metastasize to other parts of the body. CSC’s are resistant to radiation and chemotherapy and actually stimulated to grow faster and more vehemently when radiation and/or chemotherapy are used. It is believed that cancer mortality is directly related to cancer stem cell activity (proliferative and metastatic).

Don’t be misled into thinking that tumor reduction guarantees that you are making progress with respect to overcoming the disease, as you may not be. Shrinking a tumor by killing the less damaging cancer cells (the non-stem cells) with chemo and/or radiation may NOT improve long term survival and may increase the likelihood that these cancer stem cells will metastasize, allowing them to regenerate tumors elsewhere in the body. So although you may get an 80% reduction in tumor bulk, you are not targeting the most dangerous of the cells.

Another very important point covered was that CSCs are stimulated to grow by inflammatory factors related to various stressors on the body:

  • Various  psychological losses result in secretion of Interleukin 6, which stimulates the growth of CSCs
  • Trapped emotions can stimulate cancer stem cells to regroup, which is yet another reason emotional stress is undoubtedly a major cause of cancer and it recurrence (see below for remedies)
  • Dying cancer cells emit the cytokines, Interleukin 6 and Interleukin 8, which stimulates cancer stem cells to proliferate. They stimulate normal stem cells to repair tissue damage, but stimulate cancer stem cells to grow

Releasing trapped emotions and eliminating the bonds you have with events and people so you can leave such negative emotions in the past can play a major role in healing.  There are many ways to do this:

  • EFT tapping: a form of psychological acupressure that helps resolve emotional issues, cleaning out past traumas that contribute to dis-ease
  • Psychotherapy: an approach to wellness that recognizes the interconnection between mind, body and spirit
  • Energy work such as Qi Gong, Reiki, meditation, and distant energy healing such as the Oracle Method
  • Emotion Code: an energy technique that helps facilitate the release of trapped negative emotions

While the drug Celebrex, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (or NSAID), inhibits inflammation and reduces stimulation to cancer stem cells, it has many dangerous adverse side effects associated with its use. A similar drug, Vioxx, was taken off the market after causing thousands of heart attacks. Fortunately many relatively non-toxic natural substances block inflammatory stimulation of CSC’s and Dr. Schachter advocates the use of many of these substances for cancer patients. Some examples of anti-inflammatory substances which can be found in capsule or liquid extract form are:

  • Curcumin
  • Thymoquinone from black cumin seed
  • Sulforaphane and other glucosinolates and isothiocyanates from cruciferous vegetables
  • Vitamin D
  • Boswellia or Frankincense
  • Parent Essential Fatty Acids (Linoleic Acid and Alpha Linolenic Acid)
  • Stabilized Aloe Vera extract

For more natural substances that target cancer stem cells, Please read my article Cancer Stem Cells—Could They Be the Key to Metastasis 

 What Other Experts Have To Say

The interesting thing about the recent introduction of the modern Cancer Stem Cell Theory into an understanding of cancer is that it was not developed by the ‘alternative’ world, but by very traditional conventional cancer researchers.  For example, establishment oncologist and researcher Max Wicha MD (a former National Cancer Institute (NCI) researcher and the Founding Director Emeritus of the University of Michigan’s Comprehensive Cancer Center) is a pioneer in research on why cancers recur and spread to other parts of the body and has been a leader in the CSC theory. Dr Wicha has been doing research and conducting clinical trials that specifically target breast cancer stem cells, but he also has an interest in colon cancer and lung cancer as well. He has been involved in cancer research for 30 years and is currently involved with eight clinical trial involving CSCs.  Some of Dr. Wicha’s lectures can be found on YouTube and can be found by searching this site and via the links below. Some of the points made during his lectures are:

  • Standard cancer treatments not only often fail to eradicate cancer, but can sometimes make it worse
  • 30% of breast and prostate CA patients have bone marrow metastases at the time of diagnosis
  • Breast cancer is driven by cancer stem cells
  • Only certain breast cancer cells (CSCs) would develop into cancer in immune suppressed mice
  • Cancer stem cells are dysregulated adult stem cells
  • One approach he has taken in his research with breast cancer stem cells is to develop patentable drugs that block the Interleukin 8 receptors on stromal and cancer stem cells; he thus remains very much in the mainstream of conventional oncology, which is not particularly interested in researching non-patentable natural substances that my play a role in inhibiting cancer stem cells

In at least one newspaper article, the reporter said that Dr Wicha indicated that he hoped breast cancer could be treated without chemotherapy– just making use of medications that target the stem cells. However, he quickly retracted this view and said that breast cancer patients and all cancer patients should follow the conventional standard of care for conventional cancer treatment and then if necessary, look for clinical trials that target cancer stem cells.

At this point in time, Dr. Schachter has not heard much from his cancer patients regarding any discussion about cancer stem cells with their conventional oncologists, many of whom believe this area is at best considered experimental.

With my clients I have also found there to have been a complete omission of the discussion of cancer stem cells with respective oncologists.  I am always amazed that something so vital to successful outcome is not discussed along with a proposed treatment plan.

A few other researchers are doing research in cancer stem cells. One example is Maximilian Diehn MD, PhD of the Stanford University Medical Center who is an acclaimed researcher studying normal and cancer stem cell biology and its implications for cancer therapy.

Brad Weeks MD, who teaches other physicians about insulin potentiation therapy (IPT), a controversial treatment involving the use of insulin and low doses of chemotherapy, believes that no cancer patient should be treated without addressing cancer stem cells. He advocates the use of relatively non-toxic medications, such as Metformin and other anti-inflammatory strategies, such as non-inflammatory diets that avoid sugar and artificial chemicals in food. He also recommends various herbal supplements that are anti-inflammatory and that inhibit cancer stem cells.

Dr. Schachter is not an advocate of IPT at this time, but does utilize many of the anti-inflammatory strategies to inhibit cancer stem cells. He incorporates many relatively non-toxic substances to help the patient prevent and manage cancer without the use of toxic agents. During previous interviews on this program Dr. Schachter has discussed the use of Salvestrols, the use of  fat soluble vitamins (like vitamins D, A and K2 (MK4), a therapeutic diet, stress management, exercise and various other factors that a cancer patient should incorporate into his/her comprehensive program. Please visit the Radio Show Archives for past shows with Dr. Schachter.

Learn more:

  • Cancer stem cells are resistant to radiation (Baker, M Stem cells: Nature. 2009 Apr 23;458(7241):962-5.
  • For more information on energy healers, please visit Alternative and Complementary Therapies

Elyn

             ~~If you don’t know your options, you don’t have any~~

 MEDICAL DISCLAIMER:  Reading the information in this post does not constitute a physician-patient relationship. The information included in this post is for educational purposes only. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider regarding a medical condition or any treatments.

Dr. Michael B. Schachter is a magna cum laude graduate of Columbia College and Columbia P&S Medical School in NYC. He is also a Board Certified Psychiatrist and a Certified Nutrition Specialist. Dr. Schachter has been involved with nutritional and integrative health care for 40 years. A leader in alternative cancer therapies, EDTA chelation and orthomolecular psychiatry, he is a past president of the American College of Advancement in Medicine (ACAM). He has authored numerous articles and was a major contributor to the large chapter about him in Burton Goldberg’s classic “Alternative Medicine Definitive Guide to Cancer”. His published 2010 paper “Integrative Oncology for Clinicians and Cancer Patients” helps to guide patients in developing a cancer treatment program. His latest article published in 2013 entitled “Integrating Nutrition and Selected Controversial Nutritional Supplements into a Cancer Treatment” is an abridged and updated version of his 2010 article. In 2010, Dr. Schachter received the Humanitarian Award from the Cancer Control Society in California. Dr. Schachter is the director of the Schachter Center for Complementary Medicine in Suffern, NY, which is located in Rockland County, about 45 minutes from New York City.

 More information about Dr. Schachter and the Center are available at the Schachter Center Website. Many articles by Dr Schachter can be accessed from this site, including the two articles mentioned above.

Elyn Jacobs is a breast cancer survivor, professional cancer strategist, speaker, and the Executive Director for the Emerald Heart Cancer Foundation. Elyn empowers women to choose the path for treatment that best fits their own individual needs. She is passionate about helping others move forward into a life of health and well-being. Elyn has been featured on CNN Money, Talk About Health, and Breast Cancer Answers, is a contributor to The Truth About Cancer, and has written for the Pink Paper, Breast Cancer Wellness, Integrative Oncology Essentials, Surviving Beautifully, Body Local, Natural Health-Natural Wellness, and more. Elyn hosts the Survive and Live Well Radio Show on the Cancer Support Network. She is on the Medical Advisory Board for BeatCancer.Org and is on the Advisory Board to the Radical Remission Project. Elyn lives in New York with her husband and two young boys. https://elynjacobs.com/about/.

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