What is alternative cancer therapy?

The phrase alternative cancer  therapy is used to describe a wide range of treatments for cancer which, generally, are not available from conventional doctors.

In the treatment of cancer, conventional medicine research includes attacking the symptoms of cancer, including surgery, chemotherapy (the use of drugs), and radiation. By contrast, alternative cancer therapy includes nutritional supplements, enzymes, diet, detoxification, change in life style, stress control, prevention, support groups interaction, and biofeedback.

Which is best? That depends on one's view regarding the nature of cancer. Conventional research and treatments view cancer as the symptom (the tumor), whereas alternative doctors see the tumor as merely the symptom of the cancer. They are more interested in what caused the cancer to appear in the first place.

Those in conventional medicine research and treatment believe that anything that removes or reduces the symptom (the tumor) is good, even if it weakens the body in the process. Since treatment practitioners of alternative medicine focus on the cause of the tumor, not the symptom, they believe that anything which helps the body eliminate the tumor is progress. Many cancer support groups now deal squarely with information and research about this issue.

The immune system is the body's front-line defense against cancer. Although there have been some notable improvements in research concerning chemotherapy and radiation treatments, these approaches impact the immune system and many believe they can actually cause cancer if one does not detoxify the body and rebuild the immune system after these approaches are used. Typically alternative nutritional supplementation and other forms of alternative therapy help to strengthen the immune system and help the body to overcome cancer. They focus on the cause of the cancer, not the symptoms. Many cancer support groups now discuss these issues.

Practitioners of conventional treatments who deal with the cancer symptoms are in the majority, and patients are well informed about these treatment options as well as traditional cancer research. Many patients, however, are not aware of alternative cancer therapies and research. Be aware that there is plenty of alternative cancer research, support groups, and information available so you can make an informed choice.

Some of the alternative cancer treatment therapies that are used include:

• Nutrition – to boost the immune system, to increase natural mechanisms for eliminating the cancerous tumors, and to prevent reoccurrences.  Typically this alternative cancer treatment includes nutritional supplements, intravenous protocols (such as high doses of vitamin C, anti-oxidants, and immune support nutrients), and diet (such as frequent raw vegetable juices, whole grains, legumes and elimination of foods which feed cancer and weaken the immune system), Cancer research information may be found in your local cancer support group.
• Enzymes – to facilitate the breakdown of the protective coating around cancer cells and to support healthy metabolic processes.
• Oxygenation – to bring vital energy to the cells, reverse cancer tumor growth and facilitate the elimination of pathogens (fungi, bacteria and viruses) which may be weakening the immune system.  This alternative treatment may take the form of ozone therapy, deep breathing exercises and/or oxygenation of the blood directly through intravenous protocols. There is interesting alternative cancer research data and information available about oxygenation. Many cancer support groups have current information about research in this area. Symptoms and cancer treatment information are thoroughly researched.
• Detoxification – to eliminate substances which may be burdening the immune system, compromising metabolic processes and blocking energy flow (e.g. heavy metals, pesticides, environmental toxins, and metabolic wastes).  This alternative cancer  treatment may take the form of herbal and nutritional products that open up the elimination channels (liver, kidney, colon, and urinary system), colonics, detoxification diets, and IV chelation protocols. Again, good alternative research data is available for many of these cancer therapies.  The symptoms of detoxification are powerful indicators of its effectiveness. Share this information with your cancer support group.
• Emotional Healing – to eliminate toxic emotions and memories somatized in the body.  This form of alternative treatment may take the form of counseling, cancer support group emotional release therapies, deep breathing, reiki, homeopathy, or bodywork. Research the information available. Again, symptoms of its effectiveness are well known. Chances are that someone in your cancer support group has valuable information in this area.
• Cancer Tumor Targeting – to aggressively reduce the tumor size.  Treatment may take the form of cancer vaccines, hyperthermia, or chemotherapy alternatives such as ukrain, amygdalin, mistletoe, and carnivora. Research for yourself these natural cancer alternative treatment approaches. Support group information is available.
• Life Style Change and Stress Control – to assist the individual in making the necessary changes in their life structure and belief system to minimize stress. Support groups can be very valuable sources of alternative information, feedback about symptoms,  and cancer research.
• Spiritual Connection – to re-connect the individual with their purpose for being alive and to strengthen their will to live.  This alternative cancer treatment approach may take the form of prayer, meditation, or spiritual counseling. Many consider cancer a spiritual disease. Check out the cancer research, treatment symptoms, and information that is available for your cancer support group.

Return To Home Page