Re your statement that "There are those among us that would criticize and declare that there is a conspiracy involving the FDA, large pharmaceutical companies and members of the medical profession. I vehemently disagree with that declaration. I use certain alternatives and support the testing and trials that are taking place on such materials as Vitamin C and Curcumin, to name a few. I also agree that the best approach is a combination of all the above, so to speak. I we accept everything we read and hear as fact without additional research and questioning, there will be severe negative consequences.",
I agree with you. I don't believe in conspiracy theories either. I am grateful for the medical advances in the field of cancer treatment. This is what is allowing me to live. Any person or self-proclaimed "doctor' who advocates replacing chemotherapy with a "natural' alternative such as maple syrup mixed in with a little bicarbonate is a charlatan. A dangerous one.
As for complementary pratices that can help the body or mind, I agree that they can play an important part in a person's well-being and/or healing process.
The benefits of certain foods in the fight against cancer is based on research by real doctors. Curcuma is one of those foods that has been shown to have a real impact on cancer. Other foods such as mushrooms, green tea, foods in the cabbage family etc. have also been shown to provide real benefits in the fight against cancer. A daily diet high in these cancer-fighting foods is an intelligent choice to make.
Research is also pointing to certain vitamins as real allies in the fight against cancer.
Supplements may or may not help in combination with chemo. Some supplements decrease the efficiency of chemo received so it is extremely important to discuss any supplements you wish to take with your oncologist.
As a person living with what is considered "terminal' cancer, I am very much aware of those who prey on people like me by claiming they hold the magic "pill' that will cure me of my cancer. People are very vulnerable when they are struggling with a serious disease. Some fall prey to snake oil peddlers. They latch on to the promises of a cure without checking the backgrounds of these magic pill hawkers and without verifying if any serious research has confirmed the curing power of these pills or supplements.
Alternative treatments cannot replace medical treatment like chemotherapy. They may very well be worth trying when nothing else works anymore, but still, before patients spend any money on them, they should make sure that they're not dealing with charlatans.
Cancer makes us all vulnerable. We need people like Arnold to inject a little common sense and level-headedness in some of the threads on this board.
On 9/21/2008 Arnold wrote:
I feel very fortunate to have been given the opportunity on this board to place a much needed focus and provide what has amounted to a review of treatment protocols. There are positives and usefull effective protocols in both areas. What I have been stressing recently is accuracy in reporting and referencing data and reports. It is very important to all of us that we have a high level of accuracy in this critical area because that is what we use to make critical decisions concerning treatment and, in many cases, our very lives. Questioning data, treatment plans, professionals in the field and comments made by individuals posting on this board is very, very necessary so that we may have the MOST accurate information to work with. Governmental agencies are a very integral and important element in this process in assuring that we are all provided with accurate and timely information. There are those among us that would criticize and declare that there is a conspiracy involving the FDA, large pharmaceutical companies and members of the medical profession. I vehemently disagree with that declaration. I use certain alternatives and support the testing and trials that are taking place on such materials as Vitamin C and Curcumin, to name a few. I also agree that the best approach is a combination of all the above, so to speak. I we accept everything we read and hear as fact without additional research and questioning, there will be severe negative consequences. My intent and my hopes are clear here. That is to assure an open forum for all of us to offer our experience, strength and hope so that others may benefit. I make no apologies and I only hope that I have helped open the eyes of many. No need for vendettas, causes and namecalling here. Life is too valuable.