Alternative Cancer Treatment

Posts Tagged ‘Alternative Cancer Treatment’

Alternative Cancer Treatment, cancer stem cells, Five Year Survival Statistics Breast cancer, High Dose Vitamin C, Limitations of chemo and radiation, Low Dose Naltrexone, Salvestrols, War on Cancer

Cancer Deception

In Alternative Cancer Therapies, Alternatives Cancer Treatment, Anticancer foods, foods for colon cancer, foods for breast cancer, Breast Cancer, Cancer, cancer stem cells and recurrence, chemo and cancer stem cells, Healing Cancer Naturally, High Dose Vitamin C, targeting cancer stem cells on June 12, 2017 at 7:09 pm

By Elyn Jacobs and Dr. Michael Schachter

This article was originally written for and posted on BeatCancer.org.

“Alternative treatment protocols have the potential to be competitive if not superior to conventional treatments. They should be considered as primary, not merely supplementary options for treatment.” — Dr. Michael B. Schachter

“If you don’t know your options, you don’t have any.” —Elyn Jacobs, Cancer Coach

cancer deception

This past June, Dr. Michael Schachter presented at the 2016 International Conference: The Latest Developments in Integrative Cancer Therapies, held in Melbourne and Sydney, Australia. (He has been lecturing on this topic for years, throughout the United States and elsewhere.)

A major thesis of his presentation was that alternative treatment protocols have the potential to be competitive if not superior to conventional treatments. They should be considered as primary– not merely supplementary options for treatment.

Losing the Cancer War

Dr. Schachter stated we are losing the “war on cancer” as declared by President Nixon in the early 1970’s, with little improvement in the death rate and higher incidence of many cancers. The reason for this is that the cancer effort was really misfocused from the start. One problem is that there has been an emphasis on trying to cure cancer rather than on preventing it. Another problem is that treatment emphasized patent-able toxic drugs and radiation without paying sufficient attention to relatively non-toxic natural approaches like low dose Naltrexone, IV Vitamin C, Salvestrols and others. Clearly, preventive strategies have worked for reducing the incidence and mortality of heart disease and stroke, but the medical establishment has put up severe resistance to the idea that we can best manage cancer by preventing it.

In fact, Dr. Schachter was quick to point out that despite the billions of dollars spent, there has been virtually no change in the death rates from cancer from 1950 to date. This is in stark contrast to the approximately 70% reduction in deaths from other conditions such as heart disease and stroke.

The Five-Year Survival Yardstick

Certainly, the five-year survival rate for cancer has increased, but that number is misleading—it provides no clue as to how many survivors are free of their disease. Included in this number are hundreds of thousands of people who will battle cancer to the five-year mark and beyond, only to have endured one toxic protocol after another. [Editor’s note: and frequently poor quality of life. Surviving is not the same as thriving!]

Furthermore, because diagnostic tests are finding more cancers at an early stage, more patients are being treated at an early stage. This translates to more patients making this five-year mark. However, this is at a stiff cost—for example, in the case of breast cancer, earlier benchmarking means more harmful testing and many unnecessary biopsies when something suspicious comes up on a mammogram. But a significant number of these early stage patients will be re-diagnosed as “late stage” six to ten years from their first diagnosis. And a patient who dies after a grueling six-year battle with cancer is nevertheless placed in the “survived” category because she has survived more than five years from the time of diagnosis. So you see, not only is the current standard of care not working, but the methodology of collecting statistics is flawed.

And although more patients are living longer today, only a small portion of that longevity has come from advances in conventional cancer treatment. Despite the endless procession of “wonder drugs,” the deadliest of cancers are still as deadly now as they were at the start of “the war.”

Limits of Drug Therapy

What the failure of the “war on cancer” implies is that pretty much every agent in the fight against cancer—those myriad compounds that have set the research community abuzz and which have generated billions of dollars in profits — have had only a modest effect on long-term patient outcomes.

The latest progress in anti-cancer drugs seems to be with targeted therapies. This approach uses patented medications to inhibit or block biochemical pathways that play a role in cancer growth and spread. Most generics of these medications end in “mab” (monoclonal antibodies) or “nib” (small molecules). Examples are: Herceptin = Trastuzumab and Avastin = Bevacizumab (monoclonal antibodies) and Gleevec = Imatinib and Tarceva = Erlotinib (small molecules). The problem is that because there are many pathways within a cancer, these drugs have only limited effectiveness, and they also have undesirable side effects. Furthermore, since these pathways are used for normal cell functions as well, strong inhibition of a cancer pathway may cause severe complications in healthy cells. Moreover, many of these cancer pathways can be blocked with natural substances with much fewer side effects.

The cancer industry wants you to believe that its drugs are useful, and oncologists are joyful when a patient’s tumor shrinks on drug treatment. The problem is that shrinking tumors has little to do with improving the long-term survival of patients. It is not the initial tumor that kills people but rather the metastasis of the cancer cells. Aggressive cells break off from the primary tumor site and travel to the bones, brain, liver, lungs, or to some other vital area of the body. Even if an entire tumor is removed, and even if the nearby lymph nodes are negative for cancer, microscopic cells often recolonize elsewhere and are not found until later. According to Dr. Schachter, metastasis is what kills. [Editor’s note: Most cancer patients do not die from their disease at all, but rather from malnutrition, toxemia, and/or infections.]

Unfortunately, cancer treatments such as chemo and radiation not target the very cells responsible for metastases — the cancer stem cells – and in fact may encourage them to grow faster. This is one of the main reasons that conventional treatments like radiation and chemotherapy produce such poor results in the treatment of stage IV metastases (cancers that have spread to distant organs). A promising approach to this problem — though generally ignored by conventional oncologists — is the use of relatively non-toxic, anti-inflammatory herbs and nutrients. Substances that target cancer stem cells like black cumin, curcumin, broccoli extracts, vitamin D, and many others can play an important role. For more on this topic, please read Cancer Stem Cells and Progression of Disease: What You Need to Know Now.

Furthermore, we now know that conventional treatments sharply raise the risk for heart problems, stroke, and secondary cancers. Children are particularly at risk. Pediatric survivors have a six-fold greater risk of getting a second cancer, and adults face significant risk for complications as well.

No great insight is required to see that that our cancer-strategy is flawed. The ultimate problem lies in the cancer culture itself.

Challenging Traditional Views of Cancer

Surprisingly, decades ago some scientists viewed the cancer mechanism differently from the vast majority of cancer theorists. In recent years, the theory of cancer as outlined by Otto Warburg in the 1920’s has become more widely accepted. According to a written statement by Dr. Warburg,

“But nobody today can say that one does not know what cancer and its prime cause [are]. On the contrary, there is no disease whose prime cause is better known, so that today ignorance is no longer an excuse that one cannot do more about prevention. That prevention of cancer will come there is no doubt, for man wishes to survive. But how long prevention will be avoided depends on how long the prophets of agnosticism will succeed in inhibiting the application of scientific knowledge in the cancer field. In the meantime, millions of men must die of cancer unnecessarily.” [i]

— Dr. Otto Warburg, Medical Nobel Prize winner, Lindau, Germany, 1966

In 1986, John Bailar, a National Cancer Institute (NCI) statistician, also had the nerve to question the progress in the war on cancer, although he was severely ridiculed and shunned for doing so. In his 1986 paper “Progress Against Cancer?” Bailar argued that cancer research focuses too much on treatment and not enough on prevention, which would be far more effective. Then in 1997 in his paper “Cancer Undefeated” he concluded that “the effect of new treatments for cancer on mortality has been largely disappointing.”[ii]

In 1996, Michael Sporn, in an article printed in The Lancet, declared the war on cancer a failure. [iii] He predicted that the NCI would not achieve its stated target of a 50% reduction in cancer deaths by the year 2000. Sadly, he was right. Sporn believed that cancer could be chemically stopped, slowed, or reversed in its earliest pre-invasive stages. He even coined the widely-used term chemoprevention to distinguish cancer intervention from treatment. His was a truly radical idea in the cancer community.

Sporn’s goal was to dislodge the theory that cancer is something that just happens suddenly, that it is even a disease state. He did not subscribe to the idea that one either has cancer or not. Oncologists treat cancer, but logically, cancer is not an event of any kind. It does not suddenly happen upon diagnosis. It comes from years of dis-ease—it is a process. It begins when normal differentiation of a cell fails, when proper communication halts, and when the environment encourages cancer development. Long before cancer is detected, cancer is brewing—through a process known as carcinogenesis. It is nonsense to believe that the process has not been under way for many years.

Time for Change

Thankfully, our understanding of the nature of cancer and cancer treatment are in the process of undergoing major changes — though for economic and social reasons, there is tremendous resistance to these changes. Resistance comes from pharmaceutical companies, organized medicine, insurance companies, institutes of medical education, and the media. But if the path to cancer is something we can understand, why not treat it that way? It would be prudent to address the smoke before the fire burns down the house—to heal the patient at the very first signs of disease.

What if we could look at risk factors and markers, use diet instead of drugs, and use targeted supplements to prevent the development and progression of cancer? What if we were to heal the person with the cancer instead of just targeting the cancer? Surely, we would then stand a greater chance of winning the war. What if treatment for cancer patients started with a focus on lifestyle and nutritional changes? Considering that in many cases poor nutritional and lifestyle choices have contributed to the development of cancer, it would seem prudent to address such issues. Rather than just focusing on toxic conventional treatments, we could use various nutrients, herbs, and other non-toxic supplements in a synergistic way to improve the results with conventional treatment or, in some cases, instead of conventional treatment.

For sure, it is time to question the cancer strategy. It’s time for change.

For More Information

To view slides and notes from Dr. Schachter’s recent lectures, visit this link: http://www.schachtercenter.com/lecture_pdfs.htm

You may also want to view these two papers by Dr. Schachter:
“Integrative Oncology for Clinicians and Cancer Patients,” accessible at http://schachtercenter.com/IntegrativeOncologyISIMJournal.pdf

”Integrating Nutrition and Selected Controversial Nutritional Supplements into a Cancer Treatment Program,” accessible at http://schachtercenter.com/ CSJARTICLE0001.PDF

Low Dose Naltrexone: The Affordable Non-Toxic Cancer Therapy Your Doctor is NOT Telling You About

In Alternative Cancer Therapies, Breast Cancer, Healing Cancer Naturally, Uncategorized on July 27, 2016 at 7:43 am

Naltrexone has been traditionally used to help drug and alcohol abusers. But did you know that at very low doses, Naltrexone is a highly effective off-label therapy for cancer?

I rarely advocate for the use the pharmaceutical drugs, but low dose naltrexone (LDN) holds so much promise for those with cancer, that it virtues need to become known.

Naltrexone was approved by the FDA decades ago for opiate and alcohol dependence. And although the “off-label use” of a drug—prescribing it to treat conditions other than those for which it is approved—is perfectly legal, almost all doctors fail to do this. Sadly, most doctors refuse to consider any and all effective therapies that fall outside the mainstream. But this is a terrible disservice to those with cancer!

So why aren’t doctors prescribing it? It comes down to money and ignorance. In this case, the drug is cheap and the patent for naltrexone expired. Therefore there is no financial incentive for the drug company to advertise or push doctors to recommend it. Plus, or because of this and the resulting ignorance, many doctors take the stance that “if it were that good I would know about it”.

However, through the work of prominent doctors and researchers such as Dr Bernard Bihari MD, Dr Burt Berkson MD, and others, more and more researchers and patients are taking notice—and I suggest you do too!

The Birth of LDN as a Promising Therapy

Dr Bihari first started using naltrexone for his patients with addiction problems. He found that it worked well by attaching to the opioid receptors in the brain that heroin and other opiate drugs seek out. In doing so, it blocks these receptors effectively preventing the ‘high’ that these drugs offer. However, during this time he found that naltrexone also blocked the binding of the body’s own endorphins and natural opiates that boost mood and sense of well-being. Thus, his patients felt terrible, so he stopped using the naltrexone.

However, through his work on AIDS Bihari found that at low doses given at bedtime, naltrexone stimulated endorphin release. He found that endorphin levels doubled and often tripled which jumpstarted his patient’s immune systems— and the patients got better.

According to Dr Bihari, endorphins play a central role in immune function, and LDN enhances the immune response by stimulating endorphin production.

With this new development he began to focus on the immune system as a healing tool. He found that LDN worked for other diseases linked to immune dysfunction such as MS — and cancer as well.

How LDN Works

LDN revised LDN works by blocking opioid receptors, which in turn helps activate the body’s immune system. It seems that when LDN is taken at bedtime, it binds to opioid receptors and temporarily blocks endorphins from attaching. This signals the body to increase endorphin production. The result is a dramatic boost in immune function. Then the opiates bind to receptors in bone marrow stem cells, macrophages, natural killer cells, T and B cells, and other immune cells and influence their development, differentiation, and function.

In other words, opioid receptors aren’t exclusive to the brain. They’re also present on all types of immune cells, including macrophages, natural killer cells, T- and B-cells, and even stem cells. As a result, the flood of endorphins set into motion by LDN stimulates the immune system and enhances the body’s ability to fight disease.

LDN upregulates opioid receptors in cancer cells, stimulating the process of programmed cell death (apoptosis) — thus killing some of the cancer cells. It also stimulates certain immune cells that tend to go after cancer cells, including T4 and natural killer cells (NK cells).

Recent research also suggests that natural opiates also bind to receptors on cancer cells and inhibit their growth. LDN has been found to shrink tumors and inhibit their growth.

Major institutions such as The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania have done considerable research on LDN. Numerous case studies have shown it is effective for a variety of cancer types, including colon, prostate, melanoma, multiple myeloma, breast, ovary, uterine, brain, neuroblastoma, lung, Hodgkin’s disease, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

ALA and LDN, a Powerful Combination

There is also a combination therapy called the Berkson Method – using Alpha-Lipoic Acid alongside LDN. Lipoic acid is a potent antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals and generates and increases levels of vitamins C and E as well as CoQ10 and glutathione. Moreover, ALA is a modifier of gene expression. It seems to interfere with some of the genes that promote cancer. Note: look for R-ALA as it is the form found naturally occurring in the body and is the biologically active form of alpha lipoic acid. S-ALA is synthetic and should not be used.

Can I take LDN If I take Tamoxifen or Aromatase Inhibitors?

Several of my clients voiced their concerns about compatibility with aromatase inhibitors or tamoxifen. There are few reports of LDN interactions with other medications (do not use with opiate painkillers). Specifically though, according to Integrative Pharmacist David Restrepo, RPh (Vitahealth Apothecaries, New York), this should not be a problem with hormone therapies:

There is no data that suggests using AI’s, (regardless of the generation i.e. 1st 2nd or 3rd) and LDN cause any drug interaction. It’s important to keep a few things in mind.

Firstly, the normal dose of naltrexone is anywhere from 50-300mg daily and used as an opiate antagonist. Using this high of a dose would make there be a better chance of experiencing “side effects” but again, no drug interaction with AI’s. Secondly, naltrexone is selective to opiate receptors where AI’s are selective estrogen receptor modulators.

Lastly, they both are metabolized by the liver, BUT naltrexone, at such a low dose, is effective because it causes a “spike” in the bloodstream, where AI’s stay in the bloodstream much longer because of their relatively longer half-life. Any person worried about the possibility of drug interactions can just take their AI in the morning and the LDN AT NIGHT which is when it works best anyway. David Restrepo, RPh

What If I have Hashimoto’s, Graves or Another Autoimmune Disease?

One should always consult with a qualified doctor before taking any medication, but some people can actually achieve remission from autoimmune diseases by using LDN. This is because LDN modulates the immune system. It lowers inflammation as well as the immune reaction. However, if you have thyroid issues or any type of autoimmune disease, your doctor will likely start you out at a lower than normal dose.

Is LDN a Cure?

I’m not suggesting that LDN is a the magical cure for cancer, and in fact, it is not actually ‘curative’. This is partly because, like chemo and radiation, it does not resolve the reason for the cancer. But it is also is important to understand that LDN is a cell growth regulator. The goal is to regulate these cells and slow down the proliferation. Taken continuously, countless patients have achieved and maintained remission. Thus, in some cases,with the use of LDN cancer can be treated as a manageable chronic disease without the damaging effects of conventional chemotherapy and radiation–which on their own are rarely curative.

Therefore, I do recommend that you look into this safe, inexpensive ($25–30 a month) therapy. It may take some work convincing your doctor to write the script as this is an “off-label” use of an approved drug—but its long track record of efficacy makes it worth the effort. If you need some assistance with finding a doctor who will write the script, respond below in the comment field.

LDN requires a prescription and at is only available at compounding pharmacies. LDN must not be a timed-released preparation and should be taken at bedtime. The therapeutic dose ranges from 1.5-4.5mg, the later being the typical dose. Some people find that they have trouble sleeping or experience vivid dreams the first week taking LDN. This issue should subside but consult with your doctor as he or she may want to reduce your dose for a week or so. If you have trouble filling your script, contact Vitahealth apothecary. www.vitahealthrx.com.

If you need something to back up your request to your doctor or just for more information, visit www.lowdosenaltrexone.org to learn more as well as to find thousands of inspiring healing stories.

Again, I am not suggesting that LDN is the magical ‘cure-all’ for cancer, but it does offer a safe and inexpensive alternative to toxic cancer therapies. You might have to find an ‘outside the box’ doctor to prescribe this off-label drug, but it may well be worth the effort. If you would like to discuss how to incorporate LDN into your protocol, please contact me.

Lastly, this is something I have added to my own protocol. After all, who couldn’t use a few more ‘feel good’ endorphins. For more of my story, please click here. It is not complete as far as supplements go, but that list is long.

This information is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to treat, cure, prevent or diagnose any diseases or conditions. The information in this post does not represent medical advice, and I encourage you to discuss this information with your integrative oncologist or naturopathic doctor. Always consult with a medical doctor before you consider any prescription or over the counter drug or herb.

Read 12 Things a Cancer Doctor Should Never Say, my most recent article on The Truth About Cancer Website.

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 better, healthier, non-toxic choices. She emphasizes the critical nature of addressing the root cause of cancer and not just its presenting symptoms (such as the tumor). Elyn specializes in understanding the role of estrogen in breast cancer and debunks the myths associated. She brings a plethora of knowledge to her practice and will help you think outside the box so you can incorporate every lifeline you may need for long term survival. Elyn is a Contributing Editor for The Truth About Cancer and was creator and host of 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 was the former Executive Director of the Emerald Heart Cancer Foundation. Contact Elyn via her website. Elyn offers consults via Skype, phone or in person.

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Alternative Cancer Treatment, Emotional toxins and Cancer Stem Cells, emotional trauma and cancer, Online Healing Course for Cancer, Prudence Sinclair

Save Your Life With Prudence: Online Course

In Alternative Cancer Therapies, Cancer, Healing Cancer Naturally, Uncategorized on April 17, 2016 at 7:55 am

Online course for people struggling with cancer or another chronic disease

If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with cancer or another chronic illness, you know firsthand the confusion that surrounds many traditional and non-traditional therapies.The media is reporting some pretty scary statistics about cancer and chronic illness, essentially, Americans seem to be getting sicker and sicker.How do you know who you can even trust let alone figure out what is the right choice of therapies and medicine for you or your loved one? Is there such a thing as common sense medicine these days and are we capable of actually loving the medicine we choose?

Yes there is, and I’m so pleased to be able to introduce you to a woman who has spent the past 3 decades researching about integrative, nutritional, mind-body therapies, and self-healing methodologies – or what she refers to as “common sense medicine.” Twenty-eight years ago Prudence Sinclair was diagnosed with stage 4 malignant melanoma and was given only 6 months to live.

She is literally living proof that we all have the power to heal ourselves and shape our destinies. Prudence is on a mission to flip cancer and disease on its head and she’s created a riveting 6-week online teaching and mentoring program to help you heal your life. In this course she shares many of the tools and techniques she used 28 years ago to heal herself of malignant cancer.

If you or a loved one are feeling scared, anxious or overwhelmed, I urge you to sign up for Prue’s amazing program. It is, quite literally, life changing.

Learn more and get a sneak peek at the 6-week program – jam-packed with 25 modules, worksheets, videos and mp3’s. Download the freebies – mp3’s created by Prudence especially for you to help heal your life.

Also, I am pleased to announce a special 30% discount is available right now and an extra 10% will be applied when you Click Here. That’s a total of 40% off her program for the next 10 days. Special discount ends April 26th, 2016.

Become CEO of your health and healing; don’t miss this amazing opportunity. Affiliate - SYL Megaphone Series_photoshop

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

Natural Alternatives to Tamoxifen

Flaxseed: Better Than Tamoxifen for Breast Cancer

How to Protect Yourself from EMF Radiation

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Alternative Cancer Treatment, Dr Kelly Turner Radical Remission; Dr Kelly Turner Online Course, healing cancer naturally, natural alternatives to Tamoxifen

Radical Remission Online Healing Course

In Alternative Cancer Therapies, Alternatives to Tamoxifen, Cancer, Healing Cancer Naturally, Tamoxifen, Uncategorized on March 19, 2016 at 8:57 am

My colleague Kelly Turner PhD is offering a new online course, “Radical Remission: Applying the 9 Healing Factors Into Your Own Life”. This is an opportunity you will not want to miss.

CourseAd_SaleEndsFriV2

Book now! It’s 20% off only until April 1st, and my followers will get an extra 10% off if they sign up with this link: I encourage you to check it out! The regular course price is $245, but if you book by April 1st, the price is only $175.

This discount offer has expired, but the course is still available.

You may also want to read Dr Turner’s book, Radical Remission: Surviving Cancer Against All Odds. This is a much overdue book, one that brings awareness and validity to the true extent of radical remissions—remission achieved without the use of conventional medicine or even after conventional medicine has failed. Turner shows that there really is hope, even in situations that seem hopeless. You will learn that there are options well beyond the ‘white coat’, and that the possibilities for healing are more abundant than we have been told. I love that Turner explains that there are a vast variety of paths to wellness. She also lists the 9 commonalities that people have used to heal from their cancer–factors such as diet, stress, emotions, spirituality, and others that profoundly affect our health and well-being. Listen to Dr Turner on my radio show.

View my video with Dr Turner : Natural Alternatives to Tamoxifen

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 better, healthier, non-toxic choices. She emphasizes the critical nature of addressing the root cause of cancer and not just its presenting symptoms (such as the tumor). Elyn specializes in understanding the role of estrogen in breast cancer and debunks the myths associated. She brings a plethora of knowledge to her practice and will help you think outside the box so you can incorporate every lifeline you may need for long term survival. Elyn is a Contributing Editor for The Truth About Cancer and was creator and host of 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. Contact Elyn via her website, www.elynjacobs.com. Elyn offers consults via Skype, phone or in person.

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Alternative Cancer Treatment, Avoiding Tamoxifen, cancer stem cells, healing cancer naturally, Natural Alternatives to Aromatase Inhibitors, natural alternatives to Tamoxifen

The Potions Behind the Motions: Healing Elyn

In Alternatives Cancer Treatment, Breast Cancer, Cancer, cancer stem cells and recurrence on October 22, 2015 at 9:50 am

Last week I posted my story of healing from stage 3 breast cancer, Healing Cancer Naturally: Elyn’s Potions and Motions. In that post I spoke about the healing of my mind–healing the emotional traumas that were making me sick. In this post I get into the nutritional aspect of my healing. Maybe my story helps you with your own journey.

The Potions Behind the Motions

While my cancer surely seemed to be an emotionally driven one, I still needed a protocol that would target cancer cells and help prevent the spread of this cancer. I still need to up the ante nutritionally. Working with my oncologist, Dr Mitch Gaynor, and my alternative doctor, Dr Michael Schachter, I devised a protocol of weekly Intravenous Vitamin C treatments in addition to tweaking my targeted supplements. I also worked with Dr George Wong, and diligently drank his teas daily.

While I was already a healthy eater, I ramped it up by juicing as well as eating sprouts in huge quantities (especially broccoli, watercress, kale and basil), and by consuming fresh herbs every day. Herbs such sage, rosemary, thyme, basil and oregano contain potent anti-cancer compounds and support the production of progesterone (needed to offset estrogen) and ultimately activate the P53 gene, known to cause cell reproduction to cease and cancer cells to die (apoptosis). Unopposed estrogen turns on the BCL2 gene, which is actually what causes cancer cells to grow rapidly and not die. (Vitamin C also boosts the production of progesterone, supporting the P53 gene and thus blocking BCL2).

I also started using Frankincense (Boswellia). At first I was taking this in supplement form, and then in June, began using Sacred Frankincense essential oil in my armpit and on the soles of my feet. What we know about frankincense is that that it boosts the immune system and kills cancer cells—quite effectively. (Research shows that frankincense is extremely effective for brain, breast, colon, pancreatic, ovarian, stomach and likely many other cancers.)

I also targeted cancer stem cells (CSCs). Although I declined chemo and radiation, I know that cancer stem cells are still to be dealt with. Trapped emotions can also stimulate cancer stem cells to regroup, which is yet another reason emotional stress is undoubtedly the major cause of cancer and it recurrence, and is why I paid heed to addressing them. Cancer stem cells are the only cancer cells that can metastasize (chemo and radiation are not effective on CSCs and actually make them more powerful). While I was already doing much to target these cells, I added modified citrus pectin, red raspberry seed powder, and ate even more broccoli sprouts–and again, dealt with those trapped emotions of mine (see part I).

I had no intention of taking of taking an aromatase inhibitor or tamoxifen—there are far better ways to manage estrogen than the use of toxic drugs. Tamoxifen is considered by many to be an anti-estrogen as it binds to estrogen receptor sites on cancer cells thus blocking estrogen from entering, interfering with cell growth and eventually leading to cell death. Soy and flaxseed are also anti-estrogens and can do the very same thing, sans the damage of a toxic drug (and they contain other compounds that have been shown to reduce the growth and spread of cancer cells). Rosemary (extract or from the garden) blocks estrogen production and inactivates excess estrogen by stimulating liver enzymes to better metabolize estrogen.Vitamin D also enters cancer cells and triggers that very same cell death process—and researchers believe vitamin D may be just as powerful as the anti-estrogen drug.

I continued to eat scoops and scoops of freshly ground flaxseed (even more than before) and ate a lot of soy (tofu is fine, but fermented soy such as tempeh is far better). I consumed large amounts of rosemary (and other herbs) several times a day. I upped my intake of vitamin D3, which may in fact have been a big part of my healing as my October lab test came in at 95! And of course, I worked hard to raise my progesterone level as it is vital to balancing estrogen.

While I don’t often advocate avoiding entire food groups, I did give up one thing–gluten. Dr Schachter strongly encouraged me to give up gluten. At first I was reluctant, but after more suspicious nodes were found in January, I went cold turkey. Later I was to hear from one of my healers that my body cannot handle gluten. Not all people experience uncomfortable reactions to gluten, but the inflammation within is silently doing its damage.

I juiced like crazy until June, when my herb garden blossomed. I replaced my smoothies and juices with seed crusted ‘pizzas’ loaded with sprouts and copious amounts of fresh herbs. Sometimes we get ‘Food Fatigue’ and we need to change things up so we don’t get bored and quit eating or quit eating healthy.

Here is a recap of some of the things I did to beat cancer (understand that this was in ADDITION to what I was already doing, or in some cases, I just upped the dose from what I was doing–and I take far more supplements than could be listed here).

Salvestrols and many other cancer-targeting, immune-boosting supplements such as black cumin seed, graviola, cat’s claw, and medicinal mushrooms
Magnesium and vitamin E to boost progesterone and balance hormones
IVC and Liposomal C for its cancer killing pro-oxidant and progesterone building efforts
Rain Soul, a blend of organic seed oils; anti-inflammatory, immune booster, powerful antioxidant, loaded with essential fatty acids (you can order this via their website)
Red raspberry seed powder, black raspberry powder, modified citrus pectin and other supplements that target cancer stem cells: For more natural compounds that target CSC’s, read: Cancer Stem Cells—Could They Be the Key to Metastasis?
Daily juicing (leafy greens, carrots, fennel, celery and herbs)
Chinese Herbal Medicine (tea) with Dr George Wong
Copious amounts of sprouts and microgreens: broccoli, watercress, kale, basil, arugula and added fresh herbs to every meal
Plenty of D3!! Vitamin D decreases the expression of cancer causing genes and offers many other amazing anti-cancer actions, including the boosting of progesterone levels
Changed my water source, reducing exposure to BPA and tap water toxins (I now use mostly Mountain Valley Spring Water, but if you can install an in-home filter, all the better)
Boosted estrogen metabolism with DIM, milk thistle (and other supplements that support the liver, whose job it is to metabolize estrogen—for more information, please visit my Shop page.
Boosted progesterone production to offset estrogen (this is huge, and you can do it with food, supplements and stress reduction!)
Iodine therapy (and its co-partner Celtic sea salt)
Frankincense
Consumed large amounts of flaxseed and pumpkin seeds, which lower aromatase and offer multiple benefits

Do I regret my decision for surgery? Absolutely—perhaps I doubted my ability to heal, or perhaps I was just too busy with family issues to think I could manage that healing. It’s been an interesting journey, an educational experience and one that has made me a better and happier person. Nothing happens by chance; perhaps it was all meant to be.

I figured if cancer could happen to me again with all that I had been doing, I must indeed have missed something and that there was more to do. I encourage you to look deeply within for the root cause of your cancer as I did.

I credit my healing to all of the changes I made. I will never know what, out of all what I did, made the difference, but I truly believe that if I had not healed the mind, I would not have healed the body and would surely see more cancer—that my ‘recovery’ would be yet another Bandaid.

But I also believe that aside from my emotional healing, my high vitamin D3 consumption, my addition of frankincense and my huge consumption of flaxseed and progesterone boosting, anti-cancer herbs put me right over the edge of healing.

I don’t have my head in the clouds—I know I must continue to nourish mind, body and soul and again, always, always have a plan B.

Remember, something works for everyone, but everything does not work for everyone….I share with you my story to give you confidence that there are many ways to heal from cancer.

Elyn

~~If you don’t know your options, you don’t have any~~
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 Contributing Editor for The Truth About Cancer, and has written for the Pink Paper, Breast Cancer Wellness, Integrative Oncology Essentials, Surviving Beautifully, Body Local and more; she authored the Options for Life column for the Natural Healing-Natural Wellness Magazine. Elyn was creator and host of 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 boys. https://elynjacobs.com/about/

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Alternative Cancer Treatment, beating cancer against all odds, hope and cacner, Integrative Cancer Care, key to surviving cancer, Lifelines to Cancer Survival, Mark Roby

Lifelines to Cancer Survival: A New Approach to Personalized Care

In Cancer on April 30, 2015 at 10:28 am

“Doc, how much time do I have?” “Probably three to six months,” he replied.

That was 12 years ago.

Lifelines to Cancer Survival, by Mark Roby is a dramatic, personal adventure about someone who was told 12 years ago that he had just a few months to live, and that there was nothing that anyone could do to prevent the cancer from worsening, much less cure it. Even in the face of dire predictions, Mark faced some of his toughest challenges with unlimited hope, love, and enthusiasm for life. As Mark started to see his own identity beyond the limitations of a physical body, as a spiritual being, much of his fear dissolved. He also began to change his belief system into one where he believed that nothing was impossible. He chose not to be a victim or to complain. He learned he could be peaceful and happy, regardless of what was happening to his body.

Healing is the letting go of fear.

The sole purpose of Lifelines is to increase patients’ survival times, your survival time, especially if you are facing rare, aggressive, or advanced malignancies. Lifelines to Cancer Survival offers you, the reader, cutting-edge, real-time research and tools that you will not find compiled in one resource anywhere else. Armed with essential information about your options, your real options, you can make the right choices and take the right actions to extend your own life.

Today, I am determined to have no thoughts or attitudes that are hurtful to others or to myself.

With a medical insider’s knowledge of what it takes to stay alive when all the odds are against you, Lifelines to Cancer Survival is the first book to guide you toward transforming your cancer into something manageable. It will provide you with critical answers regarding cancer survival as no other book has before.

When any of us are hit with cancer, it’s what we don’t know that can kill us.

When any of us are hit with cancer, it’s what we don’t know that can kill us. This book was written specifically for you and your family to ask the right questions and find the correct answers to keep you around. Remember, no matter how dire your circumstances, there is always hope. These steps helped Mark Roby beat the odds, and they can help you, too.

Buy Now: Lifelines to Cancer Survival: A New Approach to Personalized Care

Check out what others are saying about Lifelines:

“Mark Roby, an odds-defying Radical Remission survivor himself, has given cancer patients a true gift with his book, Lifelines to Cancer Survival. This is the perfect guidebook for anyone feeling overwhelmed by a cancer diagnosis. Mark takes you by the hand, giving you personalized information for every step along the way.”

— Kelly Turner, PhD, New York Times bestselling author of Radical Remission: Surviving Cancer Against All Odds

“Mark’s story is truly inspiring, and not just his continued sur-thrival-ship, but also his willingness to share how to create a more personalized approach to cancer care. He empowers the experience, he gives several ways to approach healing. And throughout the book, he answers some of the biggest questions for people who are dealing with cancer—from finding the right doctor and asking for more personal treatments, to relaxation techniques, exercise, and eating a plant-rich diet. All of these methods combine to help your immune system thrive.”

— Suzanne Boothby, author of The After Cancer Diet and Dr. Richard Boothby, cancer physician for more than 25 years

“In Lifelines to Cancer Survival, Mark Roby offers a comprehensive and inspirational blueprint for becoming your own best health advocate. Speaking from dramatic experience as a former patient, Mark walks the talk, offering readers a variety of ways to find personalized care. This is an articulate and heartfelt work that belongs in every library.”

— Verne Varona, author of Nature’s Cancer-Fighting Foods

“Mark Roby’s ‘Lifelines’ have been a godsend. His research and strategies have been invaluable towards my survival. Mark’s innovative ideas and novel approaches have saved his life and others. This book is a must read for all cancer patients and their caregivers.”

— Jane Smith, stage IV gastrointestinal carcinoma

“The concepts in this book, and from Mark Roby, were a complete game changer for all of us, a surviving cancer family. They really opened our eyes about how to fight this battle, and we are indebted. Everything from the ‘Triad of Survival’ and having backup plans, to building our team and becoming our own experts, made all the difference. And this is just the tip of the iceberg . . .”

— Marge Casteel, advanced cholangiocarcinoma

“Mark Roby’s Lifelines” have kept me afloat. He has taken his own death sentence, turned it around, and used what he has learned to help others. His counsel has been critical towards my survival.”

— Tami Boehmer, award-winning author, survivor, and speaker

“Mark Roby provides a fresh and valuable approach to treating cancer in his new book Lifelines to Cancer Survival. He offers hope and options to those facing this critical challenge. This page-turner reveals the strategies that Mark used to save his own life, which may now be used by others. Highly recommended!”

— Dr. Martin J. Brown, DC

“I highly recommend Mark Roby’s new text Lifelines to Cancer Survival, where he offers compelling information to help those afflicted with a diagnosis of cancer. Read this valuable book!”

— Michael Coraci, PA-C

Join me on May May 26th when I chat with Mark Roby on Survive and Live Well. Missed the show live? Replay it HERE.

Elyn

~~If you don’t know your options, you don’t have any~~
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 and has written for the Pink Paper, Breast Cancer Wellness, Integrative Oncology Essentials, Surviving Beautifully, Body Local and more, and writes the Options for Life column for the Natural Healing-Natural Wellness Magazine. Elyn hosts the Survive and Live Well Radio Show on the Cancer Support Network. She is on the Medical Advisory Board for Beat Cancer.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/

If you are interested in working with Elyn to navigate your way through cancer and regain your health, please sign up HERE.

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Alternative Cancer Treatment, Breast Cancer, Cancer, Cancer Coach Elyn, Elyn Jacobs, estrogen receptors, Natural Remedies for Hormones, Nutrition and Cancer, Tamoxifen

Natural Alternatives to Tamoxifen

In Alternative Cancer Therapies, Alternatives Cancer Treatment, Alternatives to Tamoxifen, aromatase inhibitors, BPA and breast cancer, Breast Cancer, Healing Cancer Naturally, Hormone Balance, Tamoxifen, Uncategorized on January 15, 2012 at 7:39 pm

Over the past few months I have been asked many times if I know of a natural substitute for Tamoxifen. I apologize that it has taken me so long to write this post, but it has required extensive research and obtaining the knowledge of many experts. Many are not convinced that Tamoxifen is the wonder drug it is made out to be. I am one of those people. However, it is not my opinion that matters. My job is to give you information and options, not opinions. There are many others who believe that Tamoxifen is a beneficial drug. You and you alone can decide what is best for you, for your needs and concerns.

Tamoxifen is a synthetic drug that competes with estrogens for binding to the estrogen receptors in the body. When estrogens bind the estrogen receptors in the cells of the breast or uterus, for example, this activates cell growth and division. When Tamoxifen occupies the estrogen receptor in place of an estrogen, it paralyzes the receptor, preventing it from triggering the events that result in cell division. It does not kill cancer cells, but in some respect, puts them to sleep or disables them. Scientists call this a cytostatic drug; the word cytotoxic means toxic to cells, or cell-killing. However, Tam does not kill the cancer cells, but rather only stops them from growing; therefore there is no offer for a cure, only a band-aid. When you remove the band-aid, the cells can then begin to divide again. Tamoxifen also comes with a host of potential side effects so many doctors suggest a time limit of five years, after which the negatives may outweigh the positives.

Okay, so is there a natural substitute for Tamoxifen? The short answer is no. Many women seek out a natural replacement for this drug, but the replacement is really an overall lifestyle approach – including diet, exercise, stress management, avoidance of toxins and adding the support of herbs and supplements. In other words, the best thing really is to follow an anti-cancer strategy. In doing so, you will naturally incorporate an anti-estrogen strategy. Your endocrine and immune systems will be in balance and you will be optimizing the other systems in your body to join you in your defense of cancer. However there are some things you can concentrate on.

The first thing you can do to reduce estrogen is to avoid unnecessary exposure to hormone- influencing toxins. Be aware that most commercial home, garden and beauty products contain hormone-like compounds in them. Purchase safer, chemical-free products, and please, do not use plastic containers or plastic wrap in the microwave (better yet, toss the micro, but that is a story for another day) and avoid BPA exposure as much as possible.

View my video on Natural Alternatives to Tamoxifen—Dr Kelly Turner, PhD interviews Elyn Jacobs for The Radical Remission Project. Update added 1/19/14

You may also want to read my updated version of Natural Alternatives to Aromatase Inhibitors

Exercise and maintaining a healthy weight play a crucial role in cancer prevention. Exercise helps to reduce excess estrogen from the body and being overweight boosts the body’s estrogen levels. Obesity increases the body’s insulin levels and insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) that have a growth promoting effect on cells, especially on cancerous cells. Further, recent studies have proven that overweight and obese women have higher levels of inflammation, which provides a cancer promoting environment in the body. Try to exercise for at least 30-45 minutes a day. Any exercise is better than none, but a brisk walk or run will give you more protection.

“Let Food be thy Medicine, and Medicine be thy Food” Hippocrates

Hippocrates was right, and in this case, specific food choices and supplements offer natural ways to inhibit cancer growth and balance hormones.

Flaxseed–The lignans in flax are phytoestrogens, but they actually bind to estrogen receptors in the body and work a bit like Tamoxifen, as they hop on the estrogen and bind up these hormones and carcinogens and remove them from the body. Although lignans are found in most unrefined grains (barley, buckwheat, millet and oats), soybeans, and some vegetables (broccoli, carrots, cauliflower and spinach), flaxseed is the richest source. I recommend eating 2 tablespoons freshly ground flaxseed daily. If you are unable to eat 2-3 Tbs daily, I recommend a supplement: Brevail Proactive Breast Health Capsules. I have written many articles on the benefits of flaxseed.

Love your liver—No, not liver, your liver. Your body depends on a fully-functioning liver to break down and eliminate hormones and toxins in the body. Calcium d-glucurate, a natural ingredient found in certain vegetables and fruits that helps detoxify the liver and promote estrogen metabolism. Vegetables rich in glucaric acid include those in the cruciferous family (broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, brussels sprouts, kale, etc. –please eat several servings of these every day), as well as in the gourd (think squash, watermelon and pumpkins). For fruits, look for oranges and apples, and consider legumes such as peas, lentils and bean sprouts. Calcium d-glucurate can also be found in supplement form. Silymarin or milk thistle also prevents damage to the liver by acting as an antioxidant and enhancing the detoxification process. NAC (N-Acetyl Cysteine) is also a liver fortifier and detoxification tool. (NAC is also useful in the removal of the lead and mercury from dental fillings as well as the toxins in paint). Limit alcohol and avoid drugs that can damage the liver.

Adding bitter greens, such as arugula and chicory, to salads will also help the liver excrete excess hormones. (Arugula is also a member of the cruciferous family)

Pomegranate— are a potent source phytonutrients, and antioxidants like polyphenols, ellagitannins (ellagic acid), tannins and anthocyanins. These compounds are strong free-radical fighters, providing added protection against cellular damage, and research has suggested that these phytochemicals may suppress estrogen. Researchers now believe that it is specifically the ellagic acid in pomegranates that inhibits aromatase, the key enzyme used by the body to make estrogen. Thus, as breast and ovarian cancers require estrogen to grow, AIs are offered to either block the production of estrogen or block the action of estrogen on receptors; pomegranates and their bioactive metabolites may act as a natural aromatase inhibitor. Other sources of Ellagic acid are raspberries and Marion berries.

Please note: I do not suggest that you take ellagic acid supplements, but rather whole food sources of Ellagitannin. When you eat foods that contain ellagitannins, your body converts these ellagitannins into ellagic acid much in the same way your body converts Beta-carotene into vitamin A. When you eat beta-carotene rich foods, you get the full benefit of Vitamin A without the potential health risks of the synthetic form of vitamin A. The same is true for Ellagic Acid which is not as available to the body and comes with potential side effects, such as high blood pressure.

Limit Caffeine– Those who consumed at least 500 mg of caffeine daily, the equivalent of four or five cups of coffee had nearly 70% more estrogen than women who consumed less than 100 mg of caffeine daily.

Choose only organic animal products from grass-fed livestock that has not been fed estrogen, progesterone or testosterone. Fats from milk and meat are loaded with estrogen, but at least try to avoid products with added hormones.

Eat apples, every day. Quercetin, found in apples, red wine, onions, and green tea, has anti-estrogenic effects and may reduce the metastatic potential of cancer cells. Red wine you say? Yes, many studies show red wine may lower estrogen levels.

Diindolylmethane (DIM) is a phytonutrient and plant indole found in cruciferous vegetables including broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower and kale, with many powerful anticancer properties. Dim also promotes estrogen metabolism. Estrogen can be metabolized in two different pathways in the liver, which results in two different kinds of estrogen, “good” and “bad” estrogen. “Good” estrogen metabolites are released into the bloodstream there they cause many of the benefits estrogen provides, such as prevention of heart disease, and strong, healthy bones. “Bad” estrogen, in large quantities, can result in many health problems including autoimmune disorders, breast cancer, cervical dysplasia, fibroid tumors, magnesium deficiency, osteoporosis, ovarian cancer, uterine cancer, and zinc deficiency. ***Please read the following articles for updates on DIM, posted April 8th 2013 —DIM-New Thoughts on an Old Story. and posted October 31, 2013 DIM: A Bright New View on Cancer Management . My recommendation for DIM.

Manage Stress—the adrenal gland is where stress is expressed. Chronic stress leading to adrenal fatigue is a leading cause of progesterone depletion and thus estrogen dominance. Stress, per se, is not the true enemy, but rather how we respond to it. For more on stress and cancer, please read my article on changing the cancer environment.

My post on Chinese Herbal Medicine highlighted the point that CHM looks to individually assess each person’s condition, identifying excesses, deficiencies, and imbalances – as understood within the TCM diagnostic framework – and to prescribe a combination of herbs to bring the system as a whole back into balance. With that said, a lot of research has been done on the physiological effects of various herbs, particularly on estrogen and other hormones, so a visit with an herbalist might be a good part of an anti-estrogen strategy.

Simply put, estrogen can be reduced or managed using exercise, diet and relaxation modalities, but there is not one magic bullet. That said, I know I have mentioned embracing the cruciferous family, but I cannot stress this enough….raw or lightly cooked is best, juicing fantastic, and freeze-dried fine if that is the only way to get them. One option is the use of super-food powders. Supplements are a great way to bridge the gap between great intentions and actually getting the nutrients and enzymes we need (just remember, supplements are intended to accompany a good diet, not replace one.) Take time for yourself everyday for exercise, laughter, relaxation and love, and benefit from a monthly massage. Embrace every day and remind yourself everyday that you matter, that you deserve to be loved and cared for.

Please understand that nothing in this post represents medical advice, and I encourage you to discuss this information with your integrative oncologist or naturopathic doctor. I have compiled this information solely for those seeking an alternative to Tamoxifen and cannot endorse either protocol.

Herbal Medicine, and Healing Cancer , by Dr Donald Yance, is an excellent resource for balancing hormones and healing cancer naturally, as well as for support during conventional cancer treatments.

You may also be interested in Natural Alternatives to Aromatase Inhibitors. and Natural Alternatives to Hormone Therapy for Breast Cancer

This article was updated 11/3/2019

In your 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.

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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!

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Alternative Cancer Treatment, Cancer, Cancer Care, Cancer Recurrence, Complementary Medicine, Elyn Jacobs, Elyn Jacobs Consulting, Mind body connection, Positive Attitude

Elyn’s Blog

In Uncategorized on September 9, 2011 at 6:42 pm

A Positive attitude

There has been so much controversy over the need for a positive attitude. A positive attitude does not mean you have to be upbeat about your cancer or prognosis. It simply means that if you convince yourself you are going to die, then it could just become a self-fulfilling prophesy, and the reverse…if you convince yourself you will live a long-healthy life, you are on the road to achieve this goal. I recently benefitted from Reflexology, so I decided to blog about the benefits. However, in picking up a book on Reflexology, The Art of Reflexology by Inge Dougans, I came upon some words I wish to share. I have much confidence in modern medicine, and I sincerely believe it has its place. I owe my life to my cancer team, but I have also suffered greatly from doctors treating other issues. The narrow-minded view of treating symptoms with little regard to the true cause of the problem has caused me much pain and suffering. My wish is for people to be offered the option of combining the best of conventional medicine with the benefits of complementary medicine.

The following is adapted from a portion of The Art of Reflexology, a Totally New Approach Using the Chinese Meridian Theory.

Disease (is) not an entity but a fluctuating condition of the patient’s body, a battle between the substance of disease and the natural self-healing tendency of the body. HIPPOCRATES

Holism is a recently rediscovered concept in healing. According to the holistic approach to medicine, health is defined as a positive, glowing state of mental and physical well-being, not merely the absence of disease. Prior to the advent of modern medicine the manifestation of disease was recognized as being the result of disharmony in the physical, emotional and spiritual spheres, and health perceived as a balance between these three. Thus no symptom or disorder could be treated in isolation. Holistic healing methods, therefore, always treat the person as a whole. They do not work specifically on an impaired organ or malfunctioning system, but on the whole person with the aim of mobilizing the body’s own healing powers to restore the organism to a state of equilibrium.

For thousands of years it was accepted that illness resulted from a disturbance in man’s internal environment. Then came the orthodox scientific approach dominated by the germ theory. It has been the focus of medicine ever since. Once it was known that micro-organisms could invade the body and flourish into specific diseases, the search was on to seek out, identify and combat them. Man came to be perceived as a sum of working parts and the approach to disease dominated by symptomatic diagnosis and palliative treatment.

The germ theory has been quite convenient, as most of us prefer to believe that illness is the result of external forces. This approach is now seen to be far too simplistic. The failure of the germ theory to combat the vast and intricate realm of disease has resulted in increased interest in, and demand for, natural therapies; therapies which recognize that the problem of health and disease does not lie in identifying symptoms but in the greater understanding of people and their needs as individuals.

Disease is generated by a combination of circumstances both inside and outside the body. The main object of holistic healing is to help correct the life condition that predisposes a person to disease. A vast number of factors can initiate disease—particularly in our modern, highly industrialized, polluted environment. Yet one of the most important factors in the development of disease is state of mind.

The mind is immensely powerful and the relationship between mind and body should never be underestimated. Because all life is based on energy, health is considered to be the harmonious interplay of energies within the body. Negative thoughts and emotions restrict the free flow of these energies, causing congestions which ultimately manifest as disease if not corrected. It is now widely accepted that a positive attitude is a major step towards creating a healthy body. This is so eloquently expressed by Dr Randolph Stone who said: ‘As you think, so you are.’ He wrote in Health Building: We become what we contemplate. Negative thoughts and fears make grooves in the mind as negative energy waves of despondency and hopelessness. We cannot think negative thoughts and reap positive results, and therefore we must assert the positive and maintain a positive pattern of thinking and acting as our ideals.

Igne has a new version of this book, The New Reflexology – A Unique Blend of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Reflexology Practice for Better Health and Healing. This edition also has a small section on breast cancer relating the issue to specific meridians.

Elyn Jacobs

elyn@elynjacobs.com

https://elynjacobs.wordpress.com

************************************************************************************

Elyn Jacobs is President of Elyn Jacobs Consulting, Executive Director for the Emerald Heart Cancer Foundation, a certified cancer coach and a breast cancer survivor. She helps women diagnosed with cancer to navigate the process of treatment and care, and she educates about how to prevent recurrence and new cancers. She is passionate about helping others get past their cancer and into a cancer-free life.

You can visit my blog It’s a Strong Tree that Withstands a Hurricane at http://elynjacobs.blogspot.com Thank you!

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Posts Tagged ‘Alternative Cancer Treatment’

Cancer Deception

Low Dose Naltrexone: The Affordable Non-Toxic Cancer Therapy Your Doctor is NOT Telling You About

Save Your Life With Prudence: Online Course

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The Potions Behind the Motions: Healing Elyn

Lifelines to Cancer Survival: A New Approach to Personalized Care

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