cancer -alternative therapies?

[jennyjenny]

A very close relative has been diagnosed with cancer and basically told its incurable and has spread-ruffly given a year to live -thats with chemo and radiation.Ive heard many stories of people given 6 months to live and going to somewhere like mexico for alternative therapies ie-diets,IV etc and then lasting 5-6 yrs.Of course until it happens to someone close to you -u never really pay attention.I am wondering if anyone has any expeience with any alternative cancer therapies (non chemo/radiation)and or can recommend any clinics.With all the scammers out there its a tough situation.But when you are in dire need you'll try anything.

thanks

[PLOlover]

from what I've heard you have to totally change your lifestyle and diet as a prerequisite for any of the alt thera;pies, and most poeple are unable to do so.

[dzh90]

I have some close family experience with this. The alternative treatments are basically bogus. There is no huge conspiracy going on by the drug companies to keep legitimate treatment out of the hands of normal people. Sorry. Cancer treatment is anything but an exact science, and even the best doctors are mostly guessing at what will work.

If I were given only a year to live and had to have chemo and radiation, I would rather die within a month than deal with the side effects of those treatments.

[kevin017]

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If I were given only a year to live and had to have chemo and radiation, I would rather die within a month than deal with the side effects of those treatments.

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i don't think so. my dad was in pretty much the same situation as op, and chemo and radiation kept him alive 18 months, and all but maybe 2-3 months of that he was in pretty good shape. obviously the chemo is a grind, but his quality of life was remarkably good really.

btw op, what type of cancer. my dad died of pancreatic cancer a couple years ago beginning from a similar prognosis, i can probably answer any other questions you might have.

[dzh90]

kevin,

That is my stance on it. Of course there are many variables involved. My family has had very adverse reactions to chemo and radiation.

[kevin017]

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kevin,

That is my stance on it. Of course there are many variables involved. My family has had very adverse reactions to chemo and radiation.

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sorry if i came off as authoritative on it. of course, everyone reacts differently to different things. I just commented because i think a lot of people have the perception that chemo is all evil and not worth doing, but in my experience it was a very positive thing.

[jennyjenny]

the cancer is in the esophagus and has spread to some lymphnodes.

[dylan's alias]

[ QUOTE ]
from what I've heard you have to totally change your lifestyle and diet as a prerequisite for any of the alt thera;pies, and most poeple are unable to do so.

[/ QUOTE ]

Right, so that way, when the alternative therapy fails, it is the patient's fault for not following the diet.

OP, sorry about the whole situation, but sadly, esophageal cancer that has spread is not curable. Like others have said, chemo and RT offer the best chance for prolonging life, and hopefully for controlling symptoms. The therapies are lousy and have a ton of side effects. My best advice is to go through the options with the oncologist and decide whether the possible benefits of treatment outweigh the negatives. There are no good choices and anyone who is offering up an easy cure is just selling snake oil.

Oh, and if there's a line, I'll be next to blast Kevin Trudeau in the face with a shotgun.

[PLOlover]

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Right, so that way, when the alternative therapy fails, it is the patient's fault for not following the diet.

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actually the OP best bet is to go to a naturpath for his cures and an M.D. for his cures, and then do a cost/benefit analysis.

[PLOlover]

fwiw I've heard that naturpaths are licensed in oregon, not sure abouut other states.