Just like many integrative doctors these days, I approach cancer as a systemic process rather than as a disease of one organ. The actual tumour is the end product of the influence of many factors that have disturbed homeostasis (natural balance) over many years. Identifying the causative factors relevant to the individual patient and then reversing them creates circumstances in which the whole system can return to health.
This new holistic paradigm of cancer genesis leads to the need for many evidence based lifestyle changes and natural therapies which together have incremental effects. Yet it does not underestimate the complexity and seriousness of the disease, nor promise a cure. This approach can be complementary to whatever treatment you are undergoing (or have completed) with your oncologist or doctor.
“Since 2006 there has been an explosion of research into complementary therapies and overwhelming evidence that they could increase survival and even prevent cancer recurring”
Citation from the 2012 report by the American Cancer Society
The holistic (integrative) paradigm is based on the amazing amount of well-researched information that has been published recently in the scientific literature on the benefits of the complementary modalities for restoring homoeostasis in cancer. The young science of Epigenetics shows that you can influence your genes from outside through lifestyle and phytonutrients. Unfortunately most of this research does not reach the eyes of your oncologist.
Research among cancer patients has shown that more than 70% of them want to use complementary therapies, but may get confused by all the options offered on the internet and do not know how to combine them in the best kind of holistic and systematic approach.
We also know that many cancer survivors only look for alternative treatments once a recurrence has actually occurred. Then the road is rockier, and more radical lifestyle changes are needed. And if you only turn to the alternatives at an even later stage, when orthodox medicine can only offer palliative treatment, then rather expensive treatments in clinics are required.
Meanwhile those who have witnessed other people go through this illness are motivated to seek specific strategies to prevent recurrence at the earliest possible stage. You may be one of those.