Metabolic Therapies

These therapies are based on the idea that many factors cause the occurrence of cancer, and that a multifaceted healing approach is required to eliminate the disorder. The therapies use detoxification, including colon cleansing, to flush out toxins, anticancer diets based on whole foods, and vitamins and minerals and enzymes, which further cleanse the body, repair damaged tissues, and stimulate immune function. Dr. Max Gerson's therapy - which is based on a diet of organically grown frest fruits and vegetables, as well as nutritional supplements - is one such regimen.

Mind-Body Therapies

These focus on the role that emotions, behavior, and faith play in recovery from illness. In the case of some therapies, counseling, hypnosis, biofeedback, or other techniques are used to promote greater emotional and spiritual well-being. In other therapies, the aim is to use mind-body techniques to change the course of the illness, possibly bringing the person into remission. For instance, Dr. O. Carl Simonton and Stephanie Matthewes-Simonton have developed a visualaization technique to help patients increase the effectiveness of their immune systems.

Nutritional Therapies

Therapies that focus on nutrition are perhaps the most popular alternative approach to cancer especially since research began showing the link between diet and health. For instance, studies have indicated that a high-fat diet increases the risk of cancer, while a low-fat diet that is rich in fiber, fresh fruits and vegetables, and whole grains actually helps the body to fight cancer. Three of the therapies that fall into this category are wheatgrass therapy, a diet based on wheatgrass and other raw foods, the macrobiotic diet, a traditional Japanese diet high in whole grains and vegetables, and the Moerman regimen, a meatless high-fiber diet that includes nutritional supplements.

CHOOSING AN ALTERNATIVE THERAPY

Unless you already have a specific therapy in mind, the first step in choosing one is to learn more about those that are available. By visiting libraries and bookstores and contacting health organizations that focus on cancer, you should be able to find a number of comprehensive, up-to-date books that provide additional information about alternative treatments. Once you have a better idea of the therapy or therapies that would best serve your needs, contact educational organizations and patient-referral services that provide informatin on these treatments.

When researching a particular therapy, try to get information from other people who have used that treatment. Some information organizations and some alternative clinics will provide lists of recovered patients whom you can call or write. Focus on those people who have the same kind of cancer you have, and ask them what specific treatments they found helpful. Gather more information from representatives of several healing philosophies. Ask of all of them: 1) How long do you estimate I have if I follow all your advice? (Approximate), 2) How long do I have if I do nothing at all? (Approximate), and 3) What are all the side effects? (And get it in writing!) We strongly suggest reading the August September 2002 issue of Nexus Magazine for a real expose on cancer treatments and how ineffecctive most are or go to Chemotherapy here in Karinya. We trust this will provide much information!