Chemotherapy, also called chemo, is the common term for medicines used to treat cancer. The treatment destroys cancer cells, keeps them from growing and spreading, shrinks the size of a tumor or relieves cancer symptoms.
Chemotherapy has given hope to numerous cancer patients. However, a recent study by The National Confidential Enquiry into Patient Outcome and Death (NCEPOD) shows that chemotherapy can often do more harm than good. This is the main reason why doctors are now being advised to be more careful in offering chemo as treatment, particularly to cancer patients.
The NCEPOD study revealed that for more than 600 cancer patients who died within a month upon receiving treatment, 27% got worse and died faster after undergoing chemotherapy.
Though chemotherapy is the usual course of treatment for cancer nowadays, Dr. Joseph Mercola is not convinced that it is the best option. Though it may lengthen a patient’s life by a couple of months in some cases, it can also end up killing them prematurely
Chemotherapy may do more harm than good to a cancer patient due to its effects on the body’s cells. Yes, this conventional treatment can kill cancer cells but it can also destroy healthy cells at the same time. Chemo prevents the rapid reproduction and division of cells which are found in bone marrow, cells in the digestive system and reproductive system as well as cells found in hair follicles.
Fortunately, there are natural, safer and more effective alternatives to chemotherapy. Dr. Mercola recommends the use of Vitamin D, healthy lifestyle choices and emotional management for the treatment and prevention of cancer.
Calcitriol is the most powerful steroid hormone in your body and is produced in the tissues of individuals with optimum levels of Vitamin D. It has been shown to fight cancer because it stimulates cell differentiation and controls cell proliferation.
Since cancer patients usually have low levels of Vitamin D, it is crucial for them to optimize their levels of this nutrient.
Cancer patients should be given up to 80-90 ng/ml of Vitamin D to help optimize their levels. The proper diet, exercise and healthy choice of food will also boost the patient’s resistance. And, avoiding negative and stressful emotions will definitely make a cancer patient feel much better. Make sure that the patients feel positive. Help them keep their faith and always give them hope.
These are just some of Dr. Mercola’s recommendations in the fight against cancer. Cancer is a deadly disease but we are not powerless against it.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Chemotherapy: Boon or Bane?
Posted by
Kaede
Labels:
health issues,
Health Problems
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2 comments:
Cancer runs in my husband's family and he is fighting it right now. We decided to combat cancer holistically with health shakes, organic foods and vitamins. This worked for my husband's mom and sister, who are now cancer-free.
A friend recently went through chemotherapy and he certainly would verify that it is very rough to go through. I'll pass this article on to another friend who may be prescribed the same.
I didn't realize vitamin D was such a key nutrient in cancer cases. Sounds lie it would be wise for anyone to be sure they are taking enough vitamin D as it may help avert the danger.
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