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Breast Cancer

Lesson 6: Alternative & Complementary Medicine

Biologically-Based Therapies

These type of therapies are based on the use of minerals and other trace elements. While most of these therapies have not been proven beneficial to cancer, people still use them. There are many therapies around, including Antineoplastone, Cancel, Cartilage (I am sure most of you have heard of shark cartilage as a "cure" for cancer), Coenzyme Q10, Melantonin and so on. Again, check out the MD Anderson website for more details. Here, I will briefly list 3 of the more common therapies. REMINDER: Just because it is written, does not make it fact. Be very careful in your evaluation of these alternative therapies. http://www.mbcrc.med.ucla.edu/GoalsSpeci...

SHARK CARTILAGE Has been touted as relief for arthritis and to aid with cancer. Dosage is normally based on patient body weight. Taken as tablet, powder, injection or rectal suppository. Causes nausea, indigestion, constipation. Can inhibit new blood vessel growth and has high calcium content. Be very careful. http://cit.cancersource.com/LearnAbout/m...

SELENIUM Protects tissues. Cancer connection unclear. Dose of 50-140 micrograms in yeast tablets, malt cakes or other supplements. (I know that one of the supplements I took during chemotherapy included selenium. When I innocently mentioned it to my oncologist, he told me to stop taking it.) To be fair, my oncologist is very cautious. http://www.cc.nih.gov/ccc/supplements/se...

Selenium is highly toxic in concentrations of more than one milligram. Irritates respiratory system, produces lung edema and can cause loss of hair, nails, tooth damage and nervous disorders. One study says that it is carcinogenic. Again, think carefully before embarking on alternative therapies.

LIVINGSTON-WHEELER The Livingston Foundation in California treats cancer patients with a multi-faceted approach, which includes relaxation techniques, group support, antibiotics, megavitamins, enemas, vegetarian diet and vaccines cultured from the patient's own blood. In 1990, the California Health Department ordered them to stop giving the vaccines. http://www.cancer.org/docroot/eto/conten...