CancerCompass message board discussion started by CharlotteMarie on 3/24/2008 http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,22289,0.htm Thu, 04 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT Thu, 04 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/ I have stage 1 breast cancer. In  2001 I had a  simple mastectomy followed by   6 months of chemo. They put me on tamoxifin above my protests for 6 months. I was told about an Italian study on tamoxifin. Both the English and the Italians have been studying tamoxifin extensively. The studies agreed that tamoxifin doesn't prevent a recurrence and if the stuff causes cervical cancer why wouldn't it cause other cancers?  I stopped taking tamoxifin after 6 months. So far no signs of a recurrence of breast cancer and no signs of any other cancers. CharlotteMarie Mon, 24 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT Hello CharlotteMarie Good for you for taking charge. That is wonderful news that there are no signs of recurrence. You would be wise to take steps to keep your immune system strong and the following link has good information on a natural substance that is very effective in boosting one's immunity and making one's NK cells much more effective. http://www.cancercompass.com/cancer-news/1,12705,00.htm Here is just a little more information on this wheat germ extract. Avemar is the new wonder-alternative cancer treatment / adjuvant therapy for boosting the immune system and fighting cancer. "Research at UCLA has demonstrated that Avemar reduces glucose flow into the cancer cells.  Cancer cells can evade NK [natural killer] cells by masking their outer membrane with a special substance that the NK cells recognize as 'normal.'  Avemar suppresses the release of this masking substance -- allowing NK cells to better target and kill the cancer cells."  Avemar's immune-stimulating ability appears to be so powerful that it can be useful in helping to restore even the most severely compromised immune systems. Hope you find this helpful..Sheila On 3/24/2008 CharlotteMarie wrote:I have stage 1 breast cancer. In  2001 I had a  simple mastectomy followed by   6 months of chemo. They put me on tamoxifin above my protests for 6 months. I was told about an Italian study on tamoxifin. Both the English and the Italians have been studying tamoxifin extensively. The studies agreed that tamoxifin doesn't prevent a recurrence and if the stuff causes cervical cancer why wouldn't it cause other cancers?  I stopped taking tamoxifin after 6 months. So far no signs of a recurrence of breast cancer and no signs of any other cancers. Shemay Mon, 24 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT Hi Charlotte Marie... I admire your bravery w/tamoxifen.  I was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer 12/05.. went to a breast surgeon instead of an oncologist, had a lumpectomy, then a mastectomy (they didnt get it all with the first surgery & I have small breasts sooooo.. just took it all out).  My lymph nodes were clear (I 'bout fell out when they told me that.. couldn't believe it).  By the time I got to an oncologist (May,'07), I had no symptoms & no need for radiation or chemo (I was dreading that).  Point being, I so agree with Shemay's suggestion. I have been on Avemar & AHCC since Jan.06. I was a sick, sick puppy in Dec.,dramatic weight loss,  nite sweats, dark circles under my eyes, soreness under my arms (lymph nodes), exhaustion, coated tongue, felt awful.. you name it.  It was March when I felt things turning around.  Oncologist wanted to put me on tamoxifen but I demurred and continue with the Avemar & AHCC (and noni and folic acid, vitamins, etc). If you decide to take the Avemar, please be careful of where you buy it.  It is relatively expensive and requires careful handling and NO refunds.  It must be fresh &  kept below 80 - 84 degrees.  I buy from Better Health International in Florida.. ask for Pat or it can be purchased online.  I like to call my order in & talk to somebody to make sure it is packaged properly & shipped post haste !!!...lol..I have no interest in Better Health, don't work for them.. etc. I have tried other places & got royally ripped off by a few of these other companies;out of date product, improperly packaged (warm, warm, warm when I got it) etc. If the product is not fresh & kept cooled, you are left with some very expensive wheat powder..lol.  Do.. do your research, keeping in mind that cancer is basically & fundementally (sp) a failure of the immune system and anything that you can do to lessen the toxic load on the body & boost the immune system is a plus.  Your body is always fighting to be well & healthy and you need to help it all you can.  I still go to the oncologist for checkups (just went to six months my last ckup) and do continue with your oncologist.  Good luck to you and if you need additional info on Avemar, there is lots of info on line or I will be glad to share my experience with you.  :)  Tyra phoenix23002 Fri, 28 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT  On 3/28/2008 phoenix23002 wrote:Hi Charlotte Marie... I admire your bravery w/tamoxifen.  I was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer 12/05.. went to a breast surgeon instead of an oncologist, had a lumpectomy, then a mastectomy (they didnt get it all with the first surgery & I have small breasts sooooo.. just took it all out).  My lymph nodes were clear (I 'bout fell out when they told me that.. couldn't believe it).  By the time I got to an oncologist (May,'07), I had no symptoms & no need for radiation or chemo (I was dreading that).  Point being, I so agree with Shemay's suggestion. I have been on Avemar & AHCC since Jan.06. I was a sick, sick puppy in Dec.,dramatic weight loss,  nite sweats, dark circles under my eyes, soreness under my arms (lymph nodes), exhaustion, coated tongue, felt awful.. you name it.  It was March when I felt things turning around.  Oncologist wanted to put me on tamoxifen but I demurred and continue with the Avemar & AHCC (and noni and folic acid, vitamins, etc). If you decide to take the Avemar, please be careful of where you buy it.  It is relatively expensive and requires careful handling and NO refunds.  It must be fresh &  kept below 80 - 84 degrees.  I buy from Better Health International in Florida.. ask for Pat or it can be purchased online.  I like to call my order in & talk to somebody to make sure it is packaged properly & shipped post haste !!!...lol..I have no interest in Better Health, don't work for them.. etc. I have tried other places & got royally ripped off by a few of these other companies;out of date product, improperly packaged (warm, warm, warm when I got it) etc. If the product is not fresh & kept cooled, you are left with some very expensive wheat powder..lol.  Do.. do your research, keeping in mind that cancer is basically & fundementally (sp) a failure of the immune system and anything that you can do to lessen the toxic load on the body & boost the immune system is a plus.  Your body is always fighting to be well & healthy and you need to help it all you can.  I still go to the oncologist for checkups (just went to six months my last ckup) and do continue with your oncologist.  Good luck to you and if you need additional info on Avemar, there is lots of info on line or I will be glad to share my experience with you.  :)  TyraHi, Have just started Tamoxifen but read your message with interest. I ahve always to know more about alternative and complemetary medicines and I too came across the name Avemar a few months back and talked to my surgeon who had never heard of it. I talked to my 2 oncologists about what vitamin and minerals to take but they just say eat a healthy diet. Any suggestions on how I can boost my immune system would be helpful, thanks. Also the address of wher I can bury Avemar please. Could I take that with tamoxifen? My cancer was stage 3, HR++, had not spread to sentinel node and was 1.3cm. I had a lumpectomy and am just about to start radiotherapy in August.  Joanne joanne45 Wed, 09 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT  On 7/9/2008 joanne45 wrote: On 3/28/2008 phoenix23002 wrote:Hi Charlotte Marie... I admire your bravery w/tamoxifen.  I was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer 12/05.. went to a breast surgeon instead of an oncologist, had a lumpectomy, then a mastectomy (they didnt get it all with the first surgery & I have small breasts sooooo.. just took it all out).  My lymph nodes were clear (I 'bout fell out when they told me that.. couldn't believe it).  By the time I got to an oncologist (May,'07), I had no symptoms & no need for radiation or chemo (I was dreading that).  Point being, I so agree with Shemay's suggestion. I have been on Avemar & AHCC since Jan.06. I was a sick, sick puppy in Dec.,dramatic weight loss,  nite sweats, dark circles under my eyes, soreness under my arms (lymph nodes), exhaustion, coated tongue, felt awful.. you name it.  It was March when I felt things turning around.  Oncologist wanted to put me on tamoxifen but I demurred and continue with the Avemar & AHCC (and noni and folic acid, vitamins, etc). If you decide to take the Avemar, please be careful of where you buy it.  It is relatively expensive and requires careful handling and NO refunds.  It must be fresh &  kept below 80 - 84 degrees.  I buy from Better Health International in Florida.. ask for Pat or it can be purchased online.  I like to call my order in & talk to somebody to make sure it is packaged properly & shipped post haste !!!...lol..I have no interest in Better Health, don't work for them.. etc. I have tried other places & got royally ripped off by a few of these other companies;out of date product, improperly packaged (warm, warm, warm when I got it) etc. If the product is not fresh & kept cooled, you are left with some very expensive wheat powder..lol.  Do.. do your research, keeping in mind that cancer is basically & fundementally (sp) a failure of the immune system and anything that you can do to lessen the toxic load on the body & boost the immune system is a plus.  Your body is always fighting to be well & healthy and you need to help it all you can.  I still go to the oncologist for checkups (just went to six months my last ckup) and do continue with your oncologist.  Good luck to you and if you need additional info on Avemar, there is lots of info on line or I will be glad to share my experience with you.  :)  TyraHi, Have just started Tamoxifen but read your message with interest. I ahve always to know more about alternative and complemetary medicines and I too came across the name Avemar a few months back and talked to my surgeon who had never heard of it. I talked to my 2 oncologists about what vitamin and minerals to take but they just say eat a healthy diet. Any suggestions on how I can boost my immune system would be helpful, thanks. Also the address of wher I can bury Avemar please. Could I take that with tamoxifen? My cancer was stage 3, HR++, had not spread to sentinel node and was 1.3cm. I had a lumpectomy and am just about to start radiotherapy in August.  JoanneJoanne... hope you are doing well with your radiotherapy.  You can purchase Ave from Better Health International - pho 800-772-5568.  I pay the extra $ 20.00 for overnite shipping (they are in Florida, I am in Va... hot, hot, hot), especially in the warm months of the year so my Ave is cool & I keep it in the frig.  I was taking AHCC by Immpower but now take Mycocelitics Mycophyto Complex.  I think I get it at Vitacost.  It is 1/2 the price of the AHCC & seems to be working well with the Ave.  I take my vitamins am & pm with meals & my Ave last thing at nite before bed.  If you are over 200 # , you probably need to take two packets of Ave for it to be effective.  Ave is wonderful for boosting the immune system, cleaning up stray cancer cells and for alleviating side affects from chemo & radiation.  Eat healthy, avoid sugar & dense carbs, drink organic green tea, exercise and drink plenty of water.  Graviola, an amazon herb, is a neat product that I wish I could take that fights cancer but, it can lower your blood pressure.  Since my blood pressure is way low anyway, I can't take it.  Spring Time Qigong is a great meditative exercise that I practice that has been very helpful.   Good Luck to you, my friend.  Any questions, just 'holler'.    Phoenix23002    ps..  doctors know little if anything about alternative therapies.  It is not their fault.  They can barely keep up with information re: their own areas of practice.  I just didn't mention anything to my surgeons before surgeries.   Listen to your doctors but also listen to your body. :) phoenix23002 Thu, 25 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT