In the book Ageless: The Naked Truth About Bioidentical Hormones
, Suzanne introduces the idea that there are two different approaches to treating cancer. The first approach promoted by Western medicine is to kill the cancer cells to rid the body of disease. Unfortunately, this approach uses conventional chemotherapy and radiation which can also kill healthy cells and can harm the immune system. The second approach which is promoted in the book is to ‘build up’ the immune system using ‘natural’ remedies so that the fortified immune system can fight off the cancer and heal the body. This new idea that chemotherapy is not needed to treat cancer is controversial. It is especially stirring up concern within the pharmaceutical industry whose livelihood depends on selling cancer treating drugs to consumers. The main stream media is also concerned because much of their revenue from advertising comes from these pharmaceutical companies.
So is there merit to the idea that these alternative methods offer viable cancer treatment options? After all, many experts believe that conventional chemotherapy only works well for three rare types of cancer, namely certain types of lymphoma, leukemia and testicular cancer. Kevin Trudeau thinks so. Kevin is author of the book Natural Cures "They" Don't Want You To Know About
. Although he is not a physician, Kevin has done a good job of explaining some of the alternative cancer treatment options available. Kevin believes the media and pharmaceutical companies are doing everything they can to suppress the notion that traditional chemotherapy is not needed to cure cancer in order to preserve their bottom line.
Just like any new data regarding prescription drugs, the information in these books should be taken with a grain of salt in that there is still much research to be done if the goal is to prove that these alternative methods can cure cancer. Many of the natural therapies in both books lack randomized, placebo-controlled studies to back them up and instead rely heavily on testimonials. None the less, both books provide a public service in that they force consumers (and medical professionals) to entertain the idea that there could possibly be an alternative to harsh chemotherapy and other methods of traditional cancer treatment that wreak havoc on the body.
There is much data still coming out to indicate natural remedies work well for many different types of cancer. For example, Kevin has noted new research that shows mango may possibly be an effective treatment against breast and colon cancer. Researchers at Texas A&M tested mango polyphenol extract and found that it stopped cancer growth in certain breast cancer and colon cancer cell lines. Other promising research regarding prevention points to pistachios possibly reducing the risk of lung cancer and coffee potentially reducing the risk of prostate cancer. Although very preliminary, the evidence is promising and is prompting consumers and health professionals to take notice.
The choice to pursue conventional chemotherapy or alternative cancer treatment is a personal choice that one should make with their physician after considering all of the facts. One should talk with their physician and ask what data is available to support the use of the treatment method you are considering. If the physician is only able to site testimonials of other patients that have tried the therapy, one should be proceed with caution. Ideally, a good treatment option will have randomized, placebo-controlled studies to back it up. The decision should also be based on what type of cancer one has and what side effects one is willing to tolerate.
Author: Christi Larson, Pharm. D.
Dr. Larson is a pharmacist, author of Empowered Medicine; A Guide for Consumers and creator of Empowered Medicine. You can read more about her by visiting www.EmpoweredMedicine.com and clicking on the 'About Us' tab. EmpoweredMedicine.com is committed to providing evidence-based medical information from a pharmacist's point of view.
