Natural/Holistic Treatments in Conjunction With Conventional Therapy

I am very interested to learn what this group has to say about alternative approaches to prostste cancer treatment used alone or in conjunction with conventional therapy.

Hi Jack!
I have read so much about holistic and naturalpathic treatment. My oncologist does not subscribe to it, but he said eating heart healthy is good. And from what I understand, anyone doing these treatments, and/or supplementation, have to be careful not to counter the effectiveness of what ever treatments they are on especially any type of hormone therapy. That stated my cancer center has a nutritional counselor on staff, and there are some things that extend the time to HRPC. Vitamin D is number 1 on the list. There has been mixed data on lycopene and selenium. That book you ordered should help you diet wise. I would consult your oncologist about anything you add to conventional treatment.

Tony

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Age 46 (44 when Dx)

Personally I believe treatments that you suggest are more for those who are healthy and hoping that they may be a preventative. Then when you get a disease such as cancer you come to the conclusion they did little if any good, not to mention the amount of $ wasted on them.

I still get a little angry when I see the adds of vitamins with lycopene they advertise as a beneficial to MAYBE avoiding PCa. I took those for years and also ate a lot of foods made with tomatoes.

I have a number of friends into supplements and holistic medicines. In time they are all developing disease at the same rate as those in their age group who don't partake of any. What it comes down to there will always be snake oil salesman. There will always be quacks and those who actually believe what they push are beneficial. And there will always be people looking for that magic bullet of a cure or a preventative.

As long as those with disease don't forego conventional medicine by taking such treatment exclusively then it's only a waste of money. Maybe some hope and self healing to a small degree results. But as I said I think they're more for the healthy. You become less gullible when diseased.

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Diagnosed 10/08/07

Jack,

I think you said something somewhere about going to Arizona for alternative treatment.  Can I suggest you contact Ralph Valle ~ The Arizona UsToo chapter director.  He is a well known advocate and has "extreme" knowledge on this stuff.  Also tell him I said congrats on his winning the Harry Pinchot Award for his "excellence in prostate cancer education, research, advocacy, and community support."  Awarded by www.UsToo.org.

You can find his number there and he is one sharp man!  I know him at The New Prostate Cancer InfoLink.  Here is his page there: Ralph Valle

Also worth noting, Ralph was stage IV when diagnosed in 1992!  Great story...Whatever he's doing looks good.

Tony

Jack
This is and always has been a controversial topic, I am a personal fan of The Cancer Treatment Center of America and I truly ascribe to the holistic approach to healing. To clarify that I believe without a shadow of a doubt that we have to have modern medicine, technology, etc, however I also believe it is important to keep the body as healthy as you can spiritually, emotionally, and physically in and effort to give the medicine and body a better chance for healing. We loose lots of vital nutrients in cancer treatment and I think it is wise to have a medical establishment that uses naturopathic medicine as part of its arsenal in combating this disease. I am not foolish enough to say vitamins will cure cancer and nor does Cancer Treatment Center, they do however as do I say that is sure helps with energy and mental stability. It is another of those things you just have to research. For me it worked, and keep in mind I am still on triple androgen, so once again supplements are not meant to replace anything merely enhance it.

peace and love
Dale

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My PSA at diagnosis was 16.3