Those four little words that have such a HUGE impact: “You have breast cancer.” Take a breath and collect your thoughts, because there is hope! While breast cancer does require conventional medical supervision and care, several natural options have shown to be beneficial and effective for treating cancer and its symptoms.
Cancer may arise from numerous physical ailments, including a weakened immune system, the accumulation of toxic carcinogens, excessive acidity, and the lack of oxygen to cells. Many of these ailments can be treated, and so can cancer. Natural treatments are becoming increasingly popular due to the rise in cancer, coupled with the failure of our current medical system to find successful, lasting cancer therapies. As such, you can find clinics around the world that utilize a wide array of natural and alternative therapies to help individuals with all forms of cancer.
Natural cancer treatments are available, but they do require a committed approach to healthy lifestyle changes. Also, be sure to collaborate with a team of physicians that can help you navigate treatment options, therapies, and protocols that are best for your situation. The following natural approaches have been shown to relieve cancer symptoms and limit the spread of tumor cells.
Use Food as Medicine
Blueberries increase the levels of natural killer (NK) cells. NK cells are a vital part of the immune system whose job it is to hunt out “foreign invaders,” including potential tumor cells and pathogens such as viruses and harmful bacteria. In a healthy body, NK cells destroy abnormal cells before they become cancer cells. Additionally, blueberries can slow or stop the growth of breast cancer stem cells, cause apoptosis (cancer cell death), and help the immune system.
Mushrooms have been used in Chinese medicine for over 4,000 years, and the research regarding cancer treatment and certain fungi species, such as reishi and cordyceps, has shown that they can potentially increase survival, help shrink tumors, boost the immune system, and reduce radiotherapy and chemotherapy side effects such as nausea and hair loss.
Matcha tea contains epigallocatechin-3-
gallate, which can kill cancer cells by limiting angiogenesis, prevent DNA damage, and may stop the production of breast cancer stem cells. This tea is packed with antioxidants, vitamin C, tocopherols, carotenoids, selenium, zinc, chromium, and manganese. Matcha also detoxifies heavy metals and toxic chemicals while boosting the body’s metabolism.
Turmeric (curcumin) has been widely examined for its ability for disease reversal, and the use of this spice in relation to cancer has been thoroughly and extensively researched. Several laboratory studies suggest that curcumin has anticancer effects and is shown to interfere with cancer development, growth, and spread. In addition to being effective against breast cancer, curcumin is beneficial for those with bowel, stomach, and skin cancer.
A ketogenic diet that is rich in healthy fats, low in carbohydrates, and eliminates excess refined sugar and processed carbohydrates may be effective in reducing or fighting cancer. According to several studies, a ketogenic diet increases the metabolic efficiency—since cancer cells feed on glucose and cannot feed on ketones, the tumor is essentially being starved by this diet.
Therapies/Protocols
The Gerson Therapy
Dr. Max Gerson, a German-born American physician, developed one of the most effective natural cancer treatments over 90 years ago simply by recommending organic plant-based foods, raw juices, coffee enemas, and natural supplements. The Gerson Diet consists of eating only organic fruits, vegetables, and sprouted ancient grains. The diet is rich in vitamins, minerals, and enzymes and exceptionally low in fats, proteins, and sodium. In the words of the Gerson Institute: “With its whole-body approach to healing, the Gerson Therapy naturally reactivates the body’s magnificent ability to heal itself, with no damaging side effects.” This powerful natural treatment boosts the body’s own immune system to heal cancer, arthritis, heart disease, allergies, and many other degenerative diseases.
The Budwig Protocol
Dr. Johanna Budwig was an expert on pharmacology and lipids and has been considered one of the leading authorities on fats and oils. During her research, Budwig discovered that several conventional processed fats and hydrogenated oils were responsible for destroying the membranes of the body’s cells, causing diseased cells and toxicity. She developed a specific diet known as the Budwig Protocol, which helped to counteract this cancer-causing process.
The protocol attracts oxygen into the cells and in this oxygenated environment, cancer cells are killed off. The Budwig Protocol works by replacing deadly processed fats and oils with life-giving unsaturated/saturated fatty acids to rejuvenated and rebuild cells. Budwig advised her patients suffering from cancer to consume a quark (a mixture of cottage cheese and flaxseed oil) up to eight times daily for up to six months. Budwig claimed to have had over a 90% success rate with her protocol over a 50-year period.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT)
HBOT utilizes a pod-like chamber to submerge an individual in an environment of 100% pure oxygen with an atmospheric pressure up to three times the normal amount. Breathing pure oxygen under this amount of pressure can increase the amount of oxygen in the blood stream. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy can help to remove two of the major physical problems that contribute to cancer: lack of oxygen to cells and excessive acidity. Hyperbaric oxygen treatment reduces cellular hypoxia—the deprivation of oxygen to cells—thereby decreasing acidic conditions. Unlike cancer cells, healthy cells cannot flourish without an adequate oxygen supply.
This therapy is an effective strategy to increase the oxygen flow to all cells and organs and buffer the pH to better equip cells to maintain their normal functions. Furthermore, hyperbaric oxygen therapy can help stimulate whole-body healing by boosting the immune system and reduce metastatic lesions. For an even more powerful natural cancer approach, couple the hyperbaric oxygen therapy with the ketogenic diet. Results involve a decreased rate of tumor growth, improved state of ketosis, and a lower blood glucose concentration.
Cryoablation
Cryoablation is a way of destroying cancer cells via deep-freeze. The procedure begins with the use of ultrasound imaging to identify the exact location of the tumor. Next, a thin instrument called a cryoprobe is inserted directly into the tumor, releasing liquid nitrogen gas, which can be as cold as –75°C, to freeze the tumor. The process is repeated several times until enough blood flow is interrupted to cause apoptosis.
Breast Screenings
These screenings should be scheduled routinely for optimal breast and overall health. Breast thermography uses infrared, thermal imaging to assess and monitor breast health naturally and safely without the use of X-rays and radiation. This breast screening is a valuable tool to assess and monitor breast health before, during, and after breast cancer treatments.
It’s a Team Effort
Natural cancer therapies can be a vital part of one’s health journey. As always, be sure to include your entire health team in your decisions as you prepare to confront those four little words. Healthy eating, regular screenings, and educated creativity can go a long way in your journey to good health.
April Beaman, RDH, CTT, is a medical thermographer certified by the Professional Academy of Clinical Thermology and a professional member of Breast Thermography International. Beaman has worked in the wellness industry for over 17 years and provides thermography screenings and wellness support for both men and women of all ages. She is the owner of CT Thermography located in Farmington, with satellite offices in Glastonbury, CT, and Hadley MA.
Connect at 860.415.1150 or CTThermography.com.