Natural Partners
Working Together Toward Health
 
American Association of Naturopathic Physicians

California Naturopathic Doctors Association

Oncology Association of Naturopathic Physicians

American Academy of Environmental Medicine
 
International & American Associations of Clinical Nutritionists 





CANCER SUPPORT
An introduction to a naturopathic approach towards cancer treatment support from You Tube.



It is important to keep in mind that we have been getting and beating cancer all our life.  I find the following explanation, written by Laura Pizzorno, very uplifting:



Healthy Bodies Win the "War on Cancer" Every Day


 
Producing cancerous cells is a normal, inescapable part of living:

  • Even normal metabolic processes such as energy production and cell replication result in the formation of pre-cancerous and cancerous cells.
  • Add to this exposure to toxins - alcohol, tobacco, prescription and OTC drugs, industrial pollutants, chemicals and pesticides in our food, air and water - and the production of cancerous cells rises astronomically.
  • Dr. Bruce Ames and his colleagues at the University of California at Berkeley have shown that each of the 60 trillion cells in the human body is bombarded by an average of 1,000 to 10,000 hits on DNA each day.
  • The result? 400-600 cells turn cancerous daily.

Developing cancer is not:

  • Your immune system comes pre-programmed to wipe out cancer.
  • However, just as your computer won't run without a continuous supply of power, your immune system can't win its war against cancer unless you continuously power up with the right nutrients.
  • Inappropriate food choices are thought to be the major cause of 30 to 70 percent of all cancers.
  • This 30-70 percent estimate does not include the many cancers attributable to other causes - drugs, tobacco, alcohol, ionizing radiation, pollution - that could be stopped by good nutrition. 
Conventional approaches to treat cancer are primarily aimed at irradicating cancer from the body, or more commonly aimed at "life extension".  But often these treatments come with a high cost to the patient's body, mind, and spirit.  That is why many experienced oncologists are now working with naturopaths in order to both increase the success rate of their treatments, as well as to improve the patient's experience during the treatment.  (This includes reducing the impact of many common side effects of standard cancer treatments, like digestive problems, pain, fatigue, neurological disturbances, and stress.)

In addition, by some estimates, 90% of cancers have an environmental or toxic relationship.  These assults weaken the body by increasing the nutrient demands, stressing the detoxification organs, lowering the body's ability to function in all areas, eroding the quality of life, and giving normally-controlled mutations a chance to get out of control. 




Some important LINKS for Cancer Information:
Download a copy of the 2009 edition of "California Cancer Facts and Figures" - a great resource with information on cancer rates, mortality, survival figures, risks, and much more. For example:


"In the 1930s, less than one in five cancer patients survived five years beyond their diagnosis. In the year ahead, it is expected that more than three in five cancer patients will be alive five years after diagnosis. When we take into account the fact that nearly two-thirds of cancer deaths are attributable to tobacco use, obesity, and poor nutrition, it is clear that the survival rate can be improved through education and increased access to quality health care. And thanks to the success of the California tobacco control initiative, tobacco-related cancers continue to decline."



Stories of Hope by the American Cancer Society has many encouraging stories about overcoming cancer and life's situations.
Prevention and Detection by the American Cancer Society is a great resourse for learning about prevention screening for individuals at risk for cancer.
No two people are exactly alike -- therefore we design your treatment plan around what you need.  This is based on the type of cancer and its stage, the treatment method you and your oncologist have chosen, and your individual needs (metabolic, physical, emotional, psychological, and spiritual).  Support groups are very important and are highly recommended.  The Wellness Community is a local non-profit organization that has many different support groups and it has a good history of success.

If you are undergoing cancer treatment now, or are scheduled in the near future, there is a lot that can be done to make your treatment more effective, as well as to make the experience of going through cancer treatment less stressful on your mind and body.  We work with your oncologist to maximize the probability of having a successful outcome. 

If you are worried about cancer due to past environmental exposures or lifestyles, family history, or your own personal history, we will work with you to increase your body's ability to defend itself.  In addition, we help you get on a proper cancer-screening timetable.

We look at you as an individual and treat you as a person with cancer -- we do not treat the cancer.