As you read the following please note that self prescribing in the case of cancer is not recommended and a qualified practitioner whom you trust and feel comfortable with should be sought.
Thank you for reading, I hope the following pages bring you inspiration and courage.
The holistic view of cancer differs quite widely from the conventional one. It looks upon cancer as something that has come from within and is in fact part of the body (given that it is our own cells that start to multiply and spread). This change from normal cells to abnormal is the aspect that holistic therapies seek to address, whereas conventional treatment is largely based on removing the abnormal cells, in essence that is, to remove the result of the imbalance.
The predisposing factors for the development of cancer are multiple such as lifestyle, diet, exposure to certain chemicals, mental and emotional stresses and family history. All these factors contribute to a large extent, as well as the general susceptibility of the person. All complementary therapies, whether homeopathy, acupuncture, reflexology or Chinese herbal medicine seek to address the original imbalance and support the immune system to help bring the cancer under control by itself.
The holistic view is that cancer is the result of an imbalance in the body. If the cancer is removed surgically, by chemotherapy or radiotherapy this is considered a victory in conventional terms. However, what can be said then of the number of people who relapse months or years later, the cancer re-appearing either in the same place or perhaps a new location? In holistic terms this is easy to explain, in that, removing the cancer surgically or by other means is only in effect addressing the ‘result’ of the imbalance i.e. the growth itself but not the reason the cancer developed in the body initially. If this can be addressed alongside conventional medicine then the survival rate and the future health of the patient can be vastly improved.
Homeopathy has numerous applications in cancer cases and in cancer prevention. These run beyond what can be written about here and whilst there are many documented cancer cases that have responded curatively to homeopathy, the information you find in the following pages is only intended to highlight the role of homeopathy as a complementary therapy in such instances when you are already following a conventional medical approach. The aim is also to offer further advice of other useful and supportive measures.
The diagnosis of cancer is an incredible shock to any individual who has received this news and it may be accompanied by many mixed emotions. Homeopathy can be used in such instances to address this shock and help the person come to terms more readily with the challenging path that he or she has to face. There are many homeopathic prescriptions which can be used upon first diagnosis when some of the following emotional states may be prevalent:
All of the above are very natural reactions and each person responds in his/her own individual way. Homeopathy itself can be very helpful and your homeopath will also provide an impartial listening ear. However you may also choose to seek the assistance of a counselor, psychotherapist or other specialist in whom you trust to talk about your feelings at this time. Cancer support groups can also provide a very safe environment in which you can express your feelings honestly and also receive the support from others who can share their experiences with you.
Besides homeopathy, please see further below details concerning some of the Bach Flower remedies which may also be helpful.
When going for tests try and make sure your partner or a trusted friend accompanies you for support and to drive you home if you might not feel up to it afterwards. If you have to return for repeated tests, biopsies, more invasive examinations these are all very stressful and waiting for the results may take days or longer. This period can generate a lot of anxiety.
Whilst it is important to be realistic it is also best to try not to dwell too heavily on what may or may not be. The mind and body link is exceptionally strong and it is very common for people who have had little or no symptoms prior to having tests/receiving a diagnosis to suddenly develop a full array of symptoms during this time. Once the mind believes the body is sick then the body more readily succumbs.
In order to help keep your anxiety levels down, find what you like to do most and do it. Perhaps it is meditation, maybe it is spending more time with your partner or seeing a close friend, perhaps it is renting your favourite comedy series on DVD and watching it back to back. Maybe a change of scene would help, a good book, some nice music or a massage. You might not feel like doing any of the above but it is better to distract the mind a little bit, believe it or not it will help you to cope better during this period, and this in turn will support the body.
If you are especially anxious, please discuss this with your homeopath as there are prescriptions available which can help. Also consider the Bach Flower Remedies (below).
Homeopathy can also help you recover faster after certain invasive tests such as a barium enema or colonoscopy which due to a marked loss of fluids can be very debilitating.
Free radicals are oxygenated compounds, which are a result of the consumption of oxygen in the body’s cells. Anti-oxidants help protect against damage caused by free radicals by binding and neutralizing them.
With all of the above check with your pharmacist or doctor that they are not contraindicated if you are taking other medications.
Chemotherapy is the use of cytotoxic drugs which are given with the aim of destroying the cancer cells. However, they damage the healthy cells of the body at the same time as they target the cancer cells. Reactions to the drugs and combinations vary from person to person but homeopathy can help reduce these reactions which can include the following:
Please note that whilst homeopathy is often useful in general cases of alopecia (hair loss) it is not likely to help with the hair loss resulting from chemotherapy. This is because these drugs tend to especially affect the rapidly dividing skin cells and hair follicles.
Chemotherapy may result in low levels of magnesium, supplementation should be discussed with your doctor.
Radiotherapy is the use of doses of radiation which are directed to a specific area with the intention of damaging the cancer cells in that area.
Homeopathy is particularly beneficial in easing the discomfort of local skin reactions which can occur. These can include inflammation, slight oedema (swelling), redness (erythema) similar to a sunburn, or in more extreme cases blistering and peeling of the skin. Anyone undergoing radiotherapy is unable to use any deodrants, perfumes or lotions on the treated area and may often find it difficult to deal with the skin symptoms whilst avoiding topical relief.
There are a number of homeopathic remedies which are useful for burns, your homeopath would choose the most suitable and this taken internally will bring relief from discomfort and/or pain and speed healing. The homeopathic medicine does not interfere with radiotherapy or any other conventional medications which have been prescribed.
Effects of radiation
Homeopathic remedies are also available to counteract the damaging effects of radiation on the body, please see your homeopathic practitioner.
Supplements which may help reduce the effects of radiation on the body include:
Methionine (amino acid)
Cystine (amino acid)
Homeopathy can be used alongside conventional treatment, it will not in any way interfere with it. On the contrary however as treatments such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy are very powerful they may affect the ability of the homeopathic medicine to work as effectively as it might otherwise be able to.
If surgery becomes necessary there are a number of steps you can take prior to surgery to help speed your recovery.
Other homeopathic prescriptions may be necessary if you have reacted badly to the general anaesthetic with symptoms such as nausea or vomiting or a feeling of being disorientated or in a daze for a prolonged period afterwards.
In breast cancer cases a number of other remedies are indicated which will heal on a deeper level than Arnica alone. This needs to be discussed on an individual basis with your homeopathic practitioner.
In the case of breast reconstruction homeopathy can help with:
Supplements to be considered prior to surgery include:
Vitamin C and Zinc which support wound healing. Vitamin E oil can be applied to the incision (check with your surgeon as to when this will be possible).
Pineapple Bromelain also helps with the swelling and prevention of bruising.
Please look under recommended reading. Dr Christiane Northrup has a section entitled ‘How to Prepare for Surgery and Heal Faster’, which is well worth reading. In addition ‘Reike’, a hands on healing technique can also be beneficial. You should ask your Reike practitioner to see you at the hospital before and as soon as possible postoperatively to help induce a feeling of calm acceptance for the procedure and to enhance the bodies own healing process.
In addition you may also find some relief from the Bach Flower Remedies which work on the emotional states and are available in most good health food shops and some pharmacies.
These can be self prescribed and can used as often as required and like homeopathy do not interfere with any prescription medication which your doctor may have already prescribed. Ideally you should choose your own but here are some examples which may be helpful:
Bush Flower Essences (come from Australia)
Spinifex is indicated when there is a sense of being a victim to illness.
A Homeopathic Approach To Cancer Dr A Ramakrishnan/Catherine Coulter
This is not intended as a self help guide but will give you numerous examples of both cured and palliated cancer cases using homeopathy. The cases focus on cancers affecting nearly every system of the body.
Women’s Bodies, Women’s Wisdom Christiane Northrup, M.D.
Bantam Books (www.bantamdell.com)
Very helpful for any woman going through cancer of the cervix, uterus, ovaries or breast.
Contains ‘Creating Health Through Surgery’, also ‘Steps for Healing’ which I recommend for anyone who is facing cancer or any other illness.
The Journey Brandon Bays
Element (www.thorsonselement.com)
Story of one woman’s work to address her cancer by tapping into her emotional and physical blocks which were at the heart of its development. CD’s can be purchased which accompany the book.
Living Proof (a medical mutiny) Michael Gearin-Tosh
Scribner UK (www.simonsays.co.uk)
Book written in diary form of one man’s battle with cancer. It includes information about using visualization, the Gerson therapy and more. Very inspiring and will echo many a patients’ experience with medical professionals.
Why People Don’t Heal and How they Can Caroline Mess, Ph.D.
Three Rivers Press (www.randomhouse.com)
Offers encouragement for those in need of healing, to get past old wounds and get healthy.
Quantum Healing Deepak Chopra
This book looks further at the mind and body link and discusses cases where the strength of the mind has been instrumental in recovery.
Beyond Illness, Discovering the Experience of Health Larry Dossey
Shambala, Airlift
A Year to Live Stephen Levine
Thorsons.
Women’s Cancer Support Group - here in Athens
This is held monthly at the Neo Humanist Centre in Maroussi
Tel: 210 806 0389 or email: [email protected]
Thank you once again for reading and I would like to leave you with a wonderful quote from Caroline Myss in her book ‘Anatomy of the Spirit’ :
‘We thrive and we heal in ecstatic moments when our spirits become stronger than our bodies and our bodies respond to the commands of our spirits.’
Marie Woodward