C
Cancer therapies
Description
Numerous therapies claiming to treat or even to cure cancer have been developed over the years by individuals and organizations, many before the advent of modern chemotherapy. These therapies and interventions are still in demand, largely in response to people’s disenchantment with orthodox medicine, although few have been shown to be effective or safe in clinical trials. It is, however, important for conventional healthcare professionals to appreciate that cancer patients may resort to alternatives, usually as an adjunct, but unfortunately, sometimes as a replacement for orthodox medical treatment and occasionally, as a desperate last resort when conventional medicine can do no more.
Safety:
While there are specific safety concerns related to some of the alternative cancer treatments, the over-riding general concern is that patients risk delay in obtaining proven orthodox medical treatments, for which, while they can be extremely unpleasant, there may be a chance of a reasonable prognosis. Alternatively, concurrent use of some of the alternatives with orthodox medical treatment may either produce interactions, for example between herbal remedies and prescribed pharmacological preparations or produce apparent side-effects, in the form of a healing crisis response to therapies such as homeopathic remedies, which may complicate the overall clinical picture. Nurses should ask cancer patients about their use of any alternatives, including specialist diets and consider how their choices may impact on their overall well-being. It should be remembered that, in the UK, it is against the law to claim to ‘cure’ cancer – and those labelled as such, at the very least, risk giving patients unrealistic expectations of their chances of full recovery.
Gerson diet
Description
This is a detoxification diet used in the treatment of cancer and other degenerative conditions. An 8-week regimen involves extensive food preparation time, including the preparation of fresh juices as well as the ingestion of other additives, such as Lugol’s solution (iodine and potassium iodide), thyroid extract and pancreatin and the use of coffee enemas, up to four times a day.
Grape cure
Description
The grape ‘cure’ was devised by Johanna Brandt who claimed that it helped to cure her stomach cancer, although there is now some doubt about her original diagnosis. The diet involves consumption solely of grapes or grape juice every 2 hours for up to 2 months, followed by gradual introduction of other fruits, then a raw food diet.
Greek cancer cure
Description
The Greek cancer cure was proposed by microbiologist Dr Hariton-Tzannis Alivizatjos who claimed to have developed a blood test which could diagnose and indicate the type, severity and location of tumours. A serum, containing niacin, is then injected intravenously daily for up to 30 days and is said to stimulate the patient’s immune system to destroy cancer cells and Alivizatjos claimed to have treated successfully numerous people with various types of cancer, including skin, bone, uterus, stomach and lymphatic system.
Issels’ treatment
Description
This treatment, devised by Dr Josef Issels (1907–1998), a pioneer in the immunological and microbiological approach to cancer, is based on the concept that malignant tumours do not develop in a healthy body with intact defences and good repair functions, that cancer is a systemic disease and that a tumour only becomes evident in the late stages of the disease. It consists of fever therapy, anti-cancer vaccines, a low protein, raw food diet, detoxification, removal of septic foci, homeopathic remedies and psychotherapy.
Laetrile
Description
Laetrile is a combination of substances extracted from various plants, including the kernels of peaches, apricots, bitter almonds and other stone fruits and nuts. It was originally publicized as being able to control cancer, rather than cure it, claiming that it selectively killed the cancer cells. It is now used in conjunction with metabolic therapy.
Shark cartilage
Description
Shark cartilage is obtained from the spiny dogfish shark (Squalus acanthias) and the hammerhead shark (Sphyrna lewini). It is based on the incorrect assumption that sharks do not develop cancer and therefore have an inbuilt ‘cure’ for the disease by inhibiting blood vessel formation thus preventing tumour growth. Other claims for shark cartilage have focused on its purported wound healing and antiinflammatory effects. The active constituent is thought to be glycoproteins sphyrnastatin 1 and 2.
Static electromagnetic field therapy
Description
This energy medicine is a form of electromagnetic therapy in which magnets are used to create a static electromagnetic field (as opposed to electromagnets which create an electromagnetic pulse). Its use in the treatment of cancer is based on the beliefs of the physician, William Philpott, that cancer is caused solely by acid hypoxia. Use of the static bio-north magnetic field enables an alkaline hyperoxia to be created, which is claimed to kill cancer cells. The bio-north magnet is placed over the cancerous lesion and kept in place for 3 months and the person is advised to use a magnetic chair with the flexible magnet placed over the heart during the day and to sleep on a magnetic mattress with a flexible magnet placed over the face. This programme is used in conjunction with a 4-day rotation diet and the avoidance of alcohol and tobacco.
714-X (Trimethylaminohydroxybicycloheptane chloride)
Description
This remedy was developed by the Canadian scientist and researcher, Gaston Naessens, who devised a microscope (somatoscope) with which he claimed to be able to identify live pathogens in blood which were distinct from bacteria and viruses. He termed these ‘samatids’ and suggested that they are present in people with serious illness, including cancer. By monitoring the lifecycle of these organisms he claimed to be able to map the disease process. The remedy, 714-X, which contains camphor, nitrogen, ammonium salts, sodium chloride and ethanol, was intended to disrupt the samatidian cycle. It was claimed to be more successful in people who had not received chemo- or radiotherapy and is thought to be useful prior to surgery to limit the spread of a tumour when incised during the operation.
