Suzann Summers new book

I am just startiing to read Suzann Summers new book Knouckout just wanting to know if any of you have read it and what you think?

Pat GBM 8.05

I saw her on Larry King last night and was concerned with her message and because of her lack of respect for the doctors (other than her gurus -- Dr. Burzynski and Dr. Gonzales) made me question her open mindedness and understanding of what we are all going through as our loved ones take chemo to slay the beast. To state that cancer is a money making business and that's what the "conventional" doctors are in it for made me want to shout out to the t.v. set.  I know that our doctors are looking for a cure for GBM and aren't  happy when they have to give a diagnosis such as this.  Everyone deserves to make a living and if it is in prolonging life in cancer patients and possibly discovering a cure -- then they have earned their paycheck.  Sorry, too preachy???? I will get off of my soapbox now.  I respect Suzanne Somers search for alternative treatments and think they are important but she was disprespectful to the other doctors on the panel (interrupting, etc.).  I have heard of Dr. Burzynski on one of these sites, I believe, and remember people saying that he is very expensive and nothing has been proven with his trials.  Can anyone clear that up for me? 

 

She has evolved from thighmaster to cancer master?  She's not in it for the money Hah.

 

Conrad

Hi luckywife,

Neither Dr. Burzynzki nor Dr. Gonzalez has ever published their results; in fact, I believe neither has ever conducted clinical trials.  It is true they are expensive and with no proven results, they prey on vulnerable people desperate for a cure for their loved ones.  Suzanne Somers is a not very bright woman who was lucky enough to survive breast cancer but she had surgery in addition to whatever alternative treatments she received.  She has a big mouth and a little notoriety because she was on a TV show for about a minute and some consider her a nice looking female.  It is extremely unfortunate that she gets so much press; she is dangerous.  It would be best if no one listened to her.  Best wishes to you.

Joan L 

On Oct 25, 2009 1:06 AM Joan_l_3 wrote:

Hi luckywife,

Neither Dr. Burzynzki nor Dr. Gonzalez has ever published their results; in fact, I believe neither has ever conducted clinical trials.  It is true they are expensive and with no proven results, they prey on vulnerable people desperate for a cure for their loved ones.  Suzanne Somers is a not very bright woman who was lucky enough to survive breast cancer but she had surgery in addition to whatever alternative treatments she received.  She has a big mouth and a little notoriety because she was on a TV show for about a minute and some consider her a nice looking female.  It is extremely unfortunate that she gets so much press; she is dangerous.  It would be best if no one listened to her.  Best wishes to you.

Joan L 

Thanks, Joan! I was really appalled by her responses to the neurosurgeon and chair of the American Cancer Assocation.  Glad to hear that I was on target with my assessment of the guests on the show.

Best wishes to you, also.

H

There are many reasons to use altenative methods. SS is a little off the mark and I personally do not know of many great things Dr B in Texas has done. He had a few good results. I believe in a lot of alternative therapy but I also believe in the Western Medicine model. However both sides could use some caution. too many Docs are rude, overwhelmed, and truly do not take their patients emotional state into their treatment. Yes there are those who do. I would say read the book with an open mind as you will find things in their that are worthwhile. For those who think only the md doc is correct then try and have an open mind. We are all chemically different and the chemo works differently on us all. In SS Book I do believe the natural hormone blockers are preferred. Actually in our paper today there was a great article on bio hormone treatment. So be well and relax..MMS

On Oct 25, 2009 1:43 AM mmsurvivor wrote:

There are many reasons to use altenative methods. SS is a little off the mark and I personally do not know of many great things Dr B in Texas has done. He had a few good results. I believe in a lot of alternative therapy but I also believe in the Western Medicine model. However both sides could use some caution. too many Docs are rude, overwhelmed, and truly do not take their patients emotional state into their treatment. Yes there are those who do. I would say read the book with an open mind as you will find things in their that are worthwhile. For those who think only the md doc is correct then try and have an open mind. We are all chemically different and the chemo works differently on us all. In SS Book I do believe the natural hormone blockers are preferred. Actually in our paper today there was a great article on bio hormone treatment. So be well and relax..MMS

Thanks mm for another viewpoint. That's what I love about this site. It is all so overwhelming but we are all on the same side as we try to find the cure and treatments to this disease. 

Be well!

I agree with Lucky wife.   I saw her on the Today show claiming Dr. Burzynski had a 60% cure rate for the worst kind of brain cancer.  I was shocked that she could put claims out there that aren't true.  Wouldn' t we all have gone there?  My husband has GBM for 6 years now and I am not sure what treatment worked for him.  I have met too many people who have gone down there and it didn't work.  He probably has the same percentage as any other Dr. who treats brain tumors.  Why do a few respond and most don't?  Farrah Fawcett did alternative as did Steve McQueen.  It is there option but to flat out lie on TV to make money is wrong.  Did anyone catch her story of full body cancer.  She refuses to say where she was treated because no hospital would ever diagnose any one the way she claimed she was.  Even the ACS Dr. said he didn't believe her story.  It is all to sell books.  Shame on you Suzanne Somers!

 

http://www.virtualtrials.com/fink.cfm

I have not read her book......and I am no stranger to cancer.  One year + survivor (so far) of base of tongue cancer with lymph metastisis.  Went the traditional surgery, radiation route........not very pleasant, but feel great today.  Also....I am an RN and feel committed to traditional medicine........most of the time!!!  I have a very good friend who was diagnosed 13 years ago with osteosarcoma......and given a very poor prognosis since the tumor was behind her ear......and considered inoperable.  She went to Dr. Gonzalez and Dr. Issacs and followed their program  religiously.........and is alive and well today.  Dr. Gonzalez is a respected alternative medicine physician.........he has done many medical trials......and his treatment of pancreatic cancer (in particular) is very promising.  Yes...it is expensive.....and so is our traditional approach!  

I think that I might look into Dr. Gonzalez's treatment if handed a poor prognosis........and I'd go to him before the chemo - radiation route.........not out of desperation, but based on the many successes he has had.  And the NCI has funded some of his research!

My friend is alive and well...........and not one of the traditional oncologists she has seen gave her a chance........and find her recovery "amazing".  And ......again.......I went the traditional route and know I did the right thing given the type of cancer and my prognosis because it was caught early. 

Entire subject very "emotional" to all of us........but......our tried and true medical system is not perfect.......and I would never dismiss Dr. Gonzalez as a "quack"!!!

Always keep an open mind!

Steph

In 2007 I recieved a memo from Burzynski detailing his phase 2 results and FDA meeting for Brainstem Glioma which is the deadliest and rarest brain tumor a child can have. The memo had contents that floored me. 26 children symptom free for 2 to 5 years. This group included 6 children who lived 5 years and are alive today. All 26 children recieved nothing but ANP. No chemo or radiation was used on them. It took a congressman's office to get me teleconference with the FDA to verify these results. They tried every trick in the book to avoid me but in July 2007 they finally called the house and said "Yes the contents of the memo you have from Burzynski are correct to the letter." Knowing that hospital results for this disease are HORRIBLE, they apparently where going to just slide these results in drawer and not tell anyone. The FDA drug there feet for 2 more years before finally elevating Burzynski's DIPG trial to the ONLY PHASE 3 TRIAL IN THE COUNTRY for the deadliest brain tumor a child can have. THAT IS A FACT!!