Alternative Cancer Treatments

In the recent years, there has been an increasing trend towards developing alternative natural cures for cancer. It is been increasingly advised by oncologists and physicians practicing general medicine that the cancer patients must incorporate the intake of a few supplements in to their regular diet as they are crucial to maintaining their good health and overall well being.

There are three supplements that act as natures cures in healing the effects of cancer. It has been seen that a high potency mineral and multivitamins offer adequate levels of the essential minerals and all other vitamins. It is necessary to go for a high potency multiple that needs to be consumed at least twice daily. The dosage should be around two to three tablets. Green drinks are said to be high on dehydrated wheat grass and barley grass. These contain algae which serve as a rich source of spirulina or chorella. These are also referred to as green super foods as they are high on cholorophyll and carotenes, both of which are known as cancer fighting phytochemicals.

Doctors also advise their patients’ fish oil that has been manufactured by a pharmaceutical company. Fish oil is a rich source to omega-3 fatty acids. The long chain omega fatty acids are also alternatively referred to as DHA or docosahexanoic acid and EPA or eicosapentaenoic acid. These acids form at least 60% of the total weight of the fish oil. These supplements are practically devoid of heavy metals, lipid peroxides and environmental contaminants.

Apart from these foundational supplements, a number of other specific natural medicines can also be used. A couple of natural cancer fighters include maitake mushroom extract and proteolytic enzymes. The extract of the maitake mushroom, also known as the grifola frondosa, serves as one of the best natural cures for cancer. This extract is naturally rich in immunity enhancing compounds which are also known as beta-glucans. These are known for their cancer fighting properties.

Proteolytic enzymes are known for their numerous benefits, especially as one of the natural remedies to cure cancer. It assists in the absorption of protein. These comprise papain or papaya enzyme, pancreatic proteases chymotrpsin, Serratia peptidase, bromelain and trypsin. It has been proven by consistent clinical studies that these enzymes help in improving the condition of cancer patients and have a positive effect on their quality of life. They also have a fine safety profile. However these should not be used a couple of days prior to a surgery or after it as they might increase the chances of bleeding.

Cervical cancer is deadly and every woman who is especially active in sexual intercourses is more at risk. This is because it is indirectly caused by ‘STD’ (sexually transmitted diseases), resulting in the ‘HPV’ (the virus responsible for causing cervical cancers). There are many treatments available, however, depending on the stages of the cancer.

First treatment would be surgery. There are two types of surgeries to be performed. The first is called cone biopsy. What the doctor does in this surgery is removing a cone-shaped piece of tissue from the cervical canal to identify cancerous cells. This treatment is for cancer detection, microscopically. Secondly, we have the hysterectomy. Hysterectomy is a surgery that removes the uterus and sometimes, the cervix as well. There are two ways to remove the uterus; from the vagina and through the abdomen. If the cancer has spread, the surgery might call for removal of the ovaries, fallopian tubes and tissue nearby these organs. A radical hysterectomy can be performed on patients with localised cancers of the cervix. Patients with cervical cancer would be best treated by a gynaecological oncologist.

Radiation therapy also works and is usually given to inoperable cancers or as an adjuvant in conjunction with chemotherapy. Its response rate is favourable and is actually quite well tolerated. Side effects, which can include diarrhoea, irritable bladder, nausea and vaginal bleeding and soreness, can be controlled using medication and other simple steps.

Lastly, chemotherapy is usually used together with radiotherapy and shows better results when compared to giving radiotherapy alone. Chemotherapy may be given solely in situations where patients have advanced cervical cancer.