Recent Article RE: Alternative Cancer Treatments

[vince]

Was a little troubled by reading the following in a recent article regarding the ineffectiveness of alternative methods for cancer treatment... the quote is as follows:

John Bridgewater, an oncologist at University College London Hospital, is not surprised by the findings. “Many patients will often go on special diets, rather than having conventional treatment,” he says. “But we have no evidence that anyone benefits from these diets, apart from those that collect the fees.”

The link to the article is https://www.newscientist.com/article/21 ... -of-death/

Isn't there evidence out there that shows a Whole Foods Plant Based (WFPB) diet is effective in treating cancer (among other things)?

Curious to see what others know.

[colonyofcells]

The only study I am aware of is the Dr Dean Ornish study which slowed down some types of prostate cancer. I heard Dr Dean Ornish is still working on other studies like breast cancer. Cancer patients who go on unrefined vegan diets or plant based diets might live slightly longer than what the doctors predicted.

[Ern2Win]

Studies maybe missing, but other evidence abounds:

https://www.drmcdougall.com/health/educ ... -09-15-16/

"The China Study", T. Colin Campbell, PHd

"Stop Feeding Your Cancer", Dr. John Kelley

https://www.drmcdougall.com/health/educ ... deo/peggy/

https://www.drmcdougall.com/health/educ ... ica-bowen/

https://www.drmcdougall.com/health/educ ... ese-moore/

https://www.drmcdougall.com/health/educ ... -heidrich/

[Ern2Win]

Additionally, I recently heard in a Rich Roll podcast, that 3 mainstream cancer centers immediately place their patients on a plant-based diet. Unfortunately, I can't remember the names.

Also, the Block Cancer Center (Chicago area) recommends a whole food, plant-based diet, with the exception of fish due to omega-3s. Based on the knowledge I have come by from McDougall and Dr. Greger, I think the fish is a mistake on their part due to the the high methionine content and pollution from metals, PCBs, dioxin and pesticides.

https://nutritionfacts.org/video/methio ... -strategy/

[GeoffreyLevens]

So far there is not research showing any one treatment is the way to cure cancer. My understanding is that cancer has many and varied causes, different cancers with their cells having different genetics, and varying responses to treatments. Some cancers seem to thrive on sugars, some on fats just as one example! Some do respond well to chemo and don't come back, for others chemo is a disaster. Unfortunately there is really no good data base on what to do for what. Dr. Ralph Moss (Cancer Decisions) makes an attempt at doing this but there really is still a very long way to go. The point of the article though, which fits with what I have heard from alt.med colleagues who have treated many cancer patient over the past 30+ years, is that on average, those who do alternatives only (and that includes every thing in one bucket, from raw fruit only to coffee enemas, saunas, shamanic crystal healings, EVERYTHING! those people do much worse than those who do only the conventional treatment.

[colonyofcells]

Dr Dean Ornish had some comments on the cancer treatment of Steve Jobs :
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/01/healt ... rgery.html

[Dougalling]

The China Study where cancer cells were turnred on and off depending on how much milk protein was given.

[viv]

The China Study where cancer cells were turnred on and off depending on how much milk protein was given.

Exactly. What are these people waiting for? The evidence in the world's largest nutritional study already exists.

[Willijan]

quote from Geoffrey: "on average, those who do alternatives only (and that includes every thing in one bucket, from raw fruit only to coffee enemas, saunas, shamanic crystal healings, EVERYTHING! those people do much worse than those who do only the conventional treatment."

These treatments aren't remotely akin to a WFPB-no oil diet. But they are the kind of thing that mainstream medicine seems to mean when they say "alternative."


quote from the original post: "John Bridgewater, an oncologist at University College London Hospital, is not surprised by the findings. “Many patients will often go on special diets, rather than having conventional treatment,” he says. “But we have no evidence that anyone benefits from these diets, apart from those that collect the fees.” "

To answer the poster's question, we need to focus on treatment, rather than prevention, of cancer. Is there anything written or recorded that addresses this? I think eating a very strict WFPB-no oil diet would help, because it allows your body to concentrate on dealing with the cancer, rather than cleaning up new messes you are creating with your food. But is there any actual evidence of that?

We can also look at Bridgewater's reference to conventional treatments, many of which don't work any better than the weird alternative treatments he mentions. The thing is, the WFPB-no oil diet works to keep you healthy, and helps your body heal, whereas the conventional treatments often just damage you. So if you get cancer, check out whether the conventional treatment for that particular cancer actually helps. You have to work around the untruths of the medical establishment to find the correct answer. And in the meantime, keep or start eating WFPB-no oil to give yourself a better chance.

[colonyofcells]

Dr Michael Greger has a video saying Gerson therapy does not work on cancer. Gerson therapy is similar to the raw vegan therapy, juicing, blending and water enemas of Ann Wigmore. Gerson therapy includes a plant based diet, juicing, coffee enemas and supplements.

[StarchHEFP]

This is research out of USC about fasting and cancer. Not fringe, but mainstream, University cancer center.
http://news.usc.edu/103972/fasting-like-diet-turns-the-immune-system-against-cancer/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGafhm1cuSI

PCRM's advice on cancer, full downloadable PDF book. Pretty much for any cancer, eat only plants.
http://www.pcrm.org/health/cancer-resources

Dr. William Li:
In the laboratory where they study chemotherapy drugs, certain (mostly plant-based) foods have been found to have
factors that inhibit blood vessel growth in tumors, in this lab they started dripping food extracts on cancer cells
to see what happens. If you click on foods, they have a list. Predominantly, colorful plant-based food:
https://www.eattobeat.org/

The above is not alternative medicine, it is medicine.
Case study of lymphoma reversal with fasting:
http://www.healthpromoting.com/learning-center/testimonials/ivonne-changing-course-lymphoma

Cancer treatment centers of America: Eat a plant-based diet.
http://www.cancercenter.com/community/thrive/plant-based-diets/

Block cancer center nutritionist: eat a plant-based diet.
http://freefromharm.org/animal-products-and-culture/treating-cancer-with-plant-based-nutrition-one-dieticians-story/

Oprah.Com: can plant-based diet cure cancer?
http://www.oprah.com/health/can-a-plant-based-diet-cure-cancer/all

Was there any doubt? Let's say individual results vary, but why don't people take the safest pathway and eat plants? The idea is that "complete protein" as found in animals stimulates IGF-1. Refined foods including sugar as well as fat stimulate insulin. Both stimulate cancer cell growth.

Why would we even listen to anyone who says otherwise?

(Disclaimer: this is not medical advice. This is only for pure discussion, education and information. This is not even expert professorly advice. Talk to your doctor and dietitian about your plant-based diet, and avoid nutrient deficiencies by consulting with a licensed professional. Also the lawyers have made me say that you have to talk to your doctor before changing any diet, and whether a plant-based diet is right for you. And certainly, DO NOT do fasting without a thorough consultation with an expert. There are serious risks to it if not done correctly. And I'm not telling anyone to do anything (or not do something or not not do something))

[bbq]

The three-day fast: Day Four
https://joshmitteldorf.scienceblog.com/2014/06/12/the-three-day-fast-day-four/

“Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.*” The paper was returned to him over and over, demanding more and more validation that what he saw was really apoptosis. It took ten years before the paper was finally accepted for publication.

That's impressive, it's actually a decade in the making.

[f1jim]

There is good data that people live longer and do better on a plant based diet. That isn't claiming it's a cure for cancer. None of the reputable whole foods gurus make that claim. Cancer is a very tough condition we still know so little about.
The data that's there is why many cancer centers put their patients on plant based diets. The very same reason we encourage EVERYONE to eat this way. We just do better eating our natural diet. Only the foolish or ignorant would assume otherwise.
Chemo and radiation tend to gut people and destroy their quality of life. Sometimes it works to kill off the existing cancer. Sometimes it just makes people miserable at the end of their life. These are personal decisions we all may face. We can't fault anyone for their choices.
f1jim

[bethannerickson]

The China Study where cancer cells were turnred on and off depending on how much milk protein was given.

Exactly. What are these people waiting for? The evidence in the world's largest nutritional study already exists.

According to my oncologist, that's somewhat true except Campbell was able to "turn on and turn off" a specific type of cancer cell in the liver of rats specially bred to grow tumors. His findings may or may not translate to even the same cancer in humans.

Always remember "cancer" covers an entire category of diseases affecting different organs, different types, different grades. We're not talking one disease.

Beth :/

[Skip]

Dr Michael Greger has a video saying Gerson therapy does not work on cancer. Gerson therapy is similar to the raw vegan therapy, juicing, blending and water enemas of Ann Wigmore. Gerson therapy includes a plant based diet, juicing, coffee enemas and supplements.

A couple problems Greger has with Gerson:

Greger has a slight problem with detoxing the liver with coffee enemas because this practice can kill you.....
Greger has a slight problem with consuming raw calf liver smoothies or even raw liver extract injections....you think?

https://nutritionfacts.org/video/gerson ... or-cancer/