Being diagnosed with any form of cancer is devastating.
Though modern medicine and science have made huge strides in finding medications and other treatment options to treat life-threatening diseases, many patients find the suffering to be too much.
Constantly being in pain, nauseated, drained of energy, and more is no way to live.
Chemotherapy and radiation, though the most common methods for treating cancer for many patients feel worse than actual cancer resulting in side effects that impact the mind and body.
So, both doctors and patients have been doing more research about alternative solutions.
If you or someone you know is currently struggling with cancer, these alternative and complementary treatment options below can help:
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy is the process of enhancing the immune system’s natural ability to fight off disease. Essentially, a medical expert will stimulate the immune system so that it works harder to kill cancerous cells.
There are several types of immunotherapy used to treat cancer. One example is adoptive cell transfer therapy used to treat certain blood cancers.
This is a lengthy procedure in which the doctor removes the blood from your body and separates the T-cells (white blood cells responsible for fighting disease) and then puts the blood back in your body.
A technician then adds chimeric antigen receptors to the white blood cells so that your white blood cells (once put back into your body) can specifically target cancer cells.
Hyperthermia
Hyperthermia is another alternative approach to treating cancer. In fact, it’s an alternative treatment for ovarian cancer, colon cancer, breast cancer, and more. The concept is to expose your body tissue to high temperatures which help to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors.
When the cells are warmed up they become easier for the immune system to identify and fight off. There are two types of hyperthermia. One is a whole-body process in which you sit in a thermal chamber underneath hot water blankets increasing the body temperature to 104 degrees.
This option is best suited for individuals whose cancer has spread throughout the body. Localized hyperthermia, on the other hand, is when heat is applied to a specific part of the body (on or near the tumor’s location).
Diet and Nutrition
Along with your traditional or alternative cancer treatment, diet and nutrition are often offered as complementary solutions to healing. There are foods that have natural properties that help the body to fight off cancer which should be incorporated into your diet.
This would include eating more fresh fruits and vegetables as they have the most vitamins and nutrients for fighting cancer.
You’ll also be advised to eat more foods with antioxidants such as turmeric or green tea.
Gerson Therapy
Speaking of diet and nutrition, there are some medical professionals who believe that extreme change can help patients to overcome cancer.
A method known as Gerson Therapy has been long-regarded as a treatment for cancer in some patients. It has proven, in some instances, to be very effective in aiding the body’s natural ability in healing itself.
This therapy does require an extensive diet change. Patients are to eat only sprouted ancient grains, and organic fruits and vegetables. It is essentially a plant-based diet in which you can drink raw juices, eat organic crops, as well as take certain natural supplements like coffee enemas and beef liver.
Oxygen Therapy
Some experts like, Dr. Otto Warburg believe that cancer thrives more easily in an acidic environment where oxygen is deficient.
By creating a more alkaline state in the body, it was believed that the cancer cells could not thrive and would, therefore, die off.
Placing cancer patients in a hyperbaric oxygen chamber that has an air pressure level that’s more than two times that in the atmosphere seems to work for some.
The body is then able to hold more oxygen which can be released throughout the blood, organs, and tissue creating an environment where cancer cells cannot survive in.
Vitamin C
Though there have not been any clinical trials done on this solution, some holistic experts who treat cancer patients believe that high doses of vitamin C can help to combat cancer.
As you may or may not know, vitamin C is essential for the healthy growth, development, and repair of tissues throughout the body.
It helps with the absorption of key minerals such as iron, aids in supporting a strong immune system, enhances healing and recovery, and maintains healthy bones.
When taken in a monitored, higher doses, vitamin C can greatly strengthen the bodies of cancer patients, therefore, helping them to fight the disease.
Essential Oils
Believe it or not, there is a lot of healing power to be found in essential oils. Often high concentration extracts of some of the earth’s most powerful healing agents, a good rub down or a few deep breaths each day can do wonders for your cancer treatment.
Though there are many different types of oils available, some of the most popular for cancer patients include citrus oils, clary sage, lavender, lemongrass, and frankincense.
Meditation
Though this complementary treatment option won’t do much to get rid of cancer cells or tumors, it can do wonders for improving your mental health. As many cancer patients struggle with chronic stress, anxiety, and depression, meditation offers them a calming solution to recenter themselves.
A few minutes of meditation each day of concentrated breathing in a quiet place helps to relieve tension which makes coping with your condition and finding the strength to fight a lot easier.
Cancer, unfortunately, is causing millions of people to suffer physically and emotionally.
While doctors and scientists are still working on solutions to completely cure this debilitating disease, the solutions that are available and commonly used are harsh. Some patients find that being on cancer medications or undergoing chemo and radiation is worse than cancer itself.
Fortunately, there are alternative and complementary solutions that have been proven to help cancer patients in their fight to beat the disease for good. If you’re thinking of trying any of the solutions listed above, just be sure to talk it over with your doctor to ensure it's done safely.