What are some alternative treatments for cancer?

May 8, 2005 10:52 PM

I need some alternative treatments for brain cancer. What can I do after chemotherapy and radiation treatment have done all that is possible?
posted by Kilovolt to science & nature (9 comments total)

First of all, what kind of brain cancer is it? Is it a metastasis or a primary brain cancer? Also, where are you or the person in question in their treatment?
posted by mert at 10:59 PM on May 8, 2005

My grandmother had inoperable lung cancer and a few months left. She went to the CyberKnife people in the US, and it is looking like it worked. It only works for certain kinds of cancer, in certain locations, but she's yet another successful data point for them, and we couldn't be any happier with the procedure. It's ridiculously expensive, and you have to meet all of the criteria, but it's worth looking into as a last resort. That may just be the brand name for a more generic procedure, but it gives you an idea of what's out there. Here's a list of what it treats, but there are a zillion variables of whether or not you are a candidate. Good luck - any more info?
posted by fionab at 11:46 PM on May 8, 2005 [1 favorite]

I should have clarified - that's not really 'alternative' as it's definitely high-tech and medical. But, it does work in certain kinds of brain cancer. What do you mean by alternative, and what kind of cancer is it?
posted by fionab at 11:51 PM on May 8, 2005

When I was on a fasting kick recently, I stumbled across a number of references claiming that fasting can provide positive benefits to those with cancer. Fasting is still very controversial among doctors, but it is something you may want to check out. I would reccomend starting off with juice fasting, move on to something like the Master Cleanse or pure water fasting. The best place to start with this would probably be Fasting and Eating for Health : A Medical Doctor's Program for Conquering Disease.

Many new-age type things claim to help fight cancer, in general though taking care of your body in any way you can won't hurt. Try things like massage, chakra alignment, yoga/tai-chi. While cancer is genetically linked, stress, poor diet and lack of excersise break down the body to where it is more vulnerable to this sort of thing. I am quite skeptical of this stuff usually, but you don't have much to lose and even a new juicer/massage/retreat is relatively inexpensive compared to chemo/drugs.
posted by sophist at 2:59 AM on May 9, 2005

Don't ever use stuff you can buy over the counter, or stuff you have to go to Mexico for, as alternative treatments.

Supplementary treatments maybe. Not alternatives.

Cancer is not for pissing about with.
posted by flabdablet at 7:12 AM on May 9, 2005

I would talk to your doctor about possible alternative therapies.

She might be able to suggest some that won't interfere with the radiation and the chemo.
posted by bshort at 7:54 AM on May 9, 2005

Studies have shown that prayer or mindful meditation helps. It also doesn't interfere with medication and will make a patient feel emotionally better, even if nothing happens physically.

A good intro how-to text is Wherever You Go, There You Are by Jon Kabat-Zinn.

Good luck with whatever happens, and my thoughts are with you. I lost my mother to cancer two months ago -- I know how frustrating the fight can be.
posted by occhiblu at 8:41 AM on May 9, 2005

A close friend of mine just had a regrowth of a brain tumor she had removed 5 years ago. She is active in the cancer community and extremely active in researching alternative methods, such as acupuncture, diets, energy treatments etc. This is her life and her living, and she's extremely knowledgeable.

She would probably be happy to talk to you. If you're interested, my email is in my profile.
posted by widdershins at 9:57 AM on May 9, 2005

Thanks for all the help. To clarify: My father has a metastasis cancer. He had lung cancer and it spread to his back and brain. He used to smoke but quit 20 years ago. He is not able to walk as there now is no signal going from his brain to his legs. The doctors have given two 'choices'; 1) physically stay the way he is (status quo), 2) get worse.

Again, I sincerely thank everyone for their help.
posted by Kilovolt at 9:23 PM on May 11, 2005