CAM Conference touches on a spectrum of facts, theories, hopes for the future (2014)
by Rachel Pappas
www.1UpOnCancer.com
I finally met the mighty vocal Ann Fonfa in the flesh, as well as many of my other cyberspace survivor friends from around the country. It was at the March CAM Conference in West Palm Beach.
Also in attendance were industry advocates, scientists, clinicians, survivors and caregivers who shared research and insight, as well as patient care practices we can apply on our own.
Some of it was political. Specifics on how Big Pharma is stifling research on potentially promising natural treatments, despite accumulating research showing some natural therapies, combined with conventional ones, improve outcomes. Despite that cancer mortality has dropped less than five percent in over 60 years.
My jaw dropped when I heard one physician talk about a vaccine (Coley’s toxin) introduced (in the 1880’s!) at what is now called Memorial Sloan Kettering. This new therapy destroyed all visible cancer cells in some cancers, and generated a lot of excitement, but it was later forgotten with the advent of new, expensive medical technology (the x-ray machine). That particular presenter was among a small number of practitioners who have reintroduced Coley’s toxin, considering it a therapeutic option in some cases.
On a positive note, the very beginnings of talks on getting the legislature behind mandating health insurers to cover complementary treatments.
Besides the politics, there was the practical ways we can care for ourselves moving forward. When, how, and why to fast, and what to eat afterwards (yes, it’s whole, fresh, preservative-free foods). Preventing or reducing lymphedema by combining eastern and western medicine. Avoiding casein (protein in milk) and sugar, and in doing so, cutting out two potent carcinogens.
What to look for in a good oncology massage therapist, which in a nutshell is someone who understands your disease and body knows how to work around ports; understands issues tied to nodal dissection and neuropathy; someone who can send you home with more to do on your own.
Juicing – I was already doing it, but now I know what to toss into my green drinks along with my old standbys of kale or spinach with ginger, and why to do it. Cilantro and parsley to remove metals from the body, aloe vera for natural steroids and to heal the gut and brain, sea vegetables to protect the thyroid, among other ingredients with their own purposes, from cucumber to celery to cayenne pepper.
I learned where and how to search for sore spots on my body, and how to massage them to open up energy pathways. Opening up these pathways is critical to healing, according to eastern medicine. And I heard about other ways to unblock these meridian channels acupuncture, acupressure, qui gong, and chi gung to name some energy practices.
I walked away newly introduced to research that’s low on the mainstream radar – many needing further investigation but promising sounding. Like gene therapies to boost platelets (chemo protectant RNA). Dramatic results with naltrexone/intravenous lipoic acid in at least a few advanced cancer survivors with no other options.
I heard for a second time about chronotherapy, which involves giving chemo at very specific times to reduce its side effects and boost outcomes, its about using our body’s biological rhythms, along with drugs, to fight disease.
And did you know the diabetes drug, Metformin, works against some cancers? It regulates blood sugar levels and inhibits cancer stem cells.
Patient and caregiver panels lifted me. They told their stories of doing the research, getting second and third opinions, always looking for new options they never gave up, even at the end or all the way to their new beginning (depending on their individual situation). They reminded me it’s about research, perseverance, hope, not settling for less than you can get.
www.1UpOnCancer.com
I finally met the mighty vocal Ann Fonfa in the flesh, as well as many of my other cyberspace survivor friends from around the country. It was at the March CAM Conference in West Palm Beach.
Also in attendance were industry advocates, scientists, clinicians, survivors and caregivers who shared research and insight, as well as patient care practices we can apply on our own.
Some of it was political. Specifics on how Big Pharma is stifling research on potentially promising natural treatments, despite accumulating research showing some natural therapies, combined with conventional ones, improve outcomes. Despite that cancer mortality has dropped less than five percent in over 60 years.
My jaw dropped when I heard one physician talk about a vaccine (Coley’s toxin) introduced (in the 1880’s!) at what is now called Memorial Sloan Kettering. This new therapy destroyed all visible cancer cells in some cancers, and generated a lot of excitement, but it was later forgotten with the advent of new, expensive medical technology (the x-ray machine). That particular presenter was among a small number of practitioners who have reintroduced Coley’s toxin, considering it a therapeutic option in some cases.
On a positive note, the very beginnings of talks on getting the legislature behind mandating health insurers to cover complementary treatments.
Besides the politics, there was the practical ways we can care for ourselves moving forward. When, how, and why to fast, and what to eat afterwards (yes, it’s whole, fresh, preservative-free foods). Preventing or reducing lymphedema by combining eastern and western medicine. Avoiding casein (protein in milk) and sugar, and in doing so, cutting out two potent carcinogens.
What to look for in a good oncology massage therapist, which in a nutshell is someone who understands your disease and body knows how to work around ports; understands issues tied to nodal dissection and neuropathy; someone who can send you home with more to do on your own.
Juicing – I was already doing it, but now I know what to toss into my green drinks along with my old standbys of kale or spinach with ginger, and why to do it. Cilantro and parsley to remove metals from the body, aloe vera for natural steroids and to heal the gut and brain, sea vegetables to protect the thyroid, among other ingredients with their own purposes, from cucumber to celery to cayenne pepper.
I learned where and how to search for sore spots on my body, and how to massage them to open up energy pathways. Opening up these pathways is critical to healing, according to eastern medicine. And I heard about other ways to unblock these meridian channels acupuncture, acupressure, qui gong, and chi gung to name some energy practices.
I walked away newly introduced to research that’s low on the mainstream radar – many needing further investigation but promising sounding. Like gene therapies to boost platelets (chemo protectant RNA). Dramatic results with naltrexone/intravenous lipoic acid in at least a few advanced cancer survivors with no other options.
I heard for a second time about chronotherapy, which involves giving chemo at very specific times to reduce its side effects and boost outcomes, its about using our body’s biological rhythms, along with drugs, to fight disease.
And did you know the diabetes drug, Metformin, works against some cancers? It regulates blood sugar levels and inhibits cancer stem cells.
Patient and caregiver panels lifted me. They told their stories of doing the research, getting second and third opinions, always looking for new options they never gave up, even at the end or all the way to their new beginning (depending on their individual situation). They reminded me it’s about research, perseverance, hope, not settling for less than you can get.
