Respecting cancer

Respecting cancer

To a cancer patient, everything they eat either supports or fights cancer. Basic online research will list the food groups to be avoided and the ones full of cancer-fighting properties.

by Dr. Paul Stallone —

Certain words strike fear within every soul. Spiders, snakes and heights rank fairly high on the fear scale. However, most people would not consider the word cancer as fearful, unless they have been diagnosed with it or know someone who has.

Anyone who has battled cancer or seen someone personally go through it would gladly take the biggest spider over the disease any day. Cancer is extremely difficult on the patient, but it also affects the entire community. Spouses, children, family, friends and coworkers all go through the experience and acquire a certain respect for the disease.

A part of respecting cancer is getting to know it. Perhaps more people would be able to prevent their own occurrence of cancer if they better understood how it develops. Every single person will form cancer cells — they are simply cells that have mutated. This is normal and will actually happen several times throughout a lifetime.

What becomes abnormal about this process is when this uncharacteristic cell does not commit apoptosis (programmed cell death), even though it should after a mutation. Tumors develop when this cell divides uncontrollably, resulting in a mass.

The immune system consists of some exceptionally important players and, when it is not functioning properly, disease is allowed to flourish. A good physician will understand the association between genetics, poor lifestyle choices and disease. They know a thriving immune system will attack cancer cells and also prevent other diseases and illnesses from causing harm.

A top priority is to balance or selectively increase the immune system. By supporting the immune system, it will then be able to target and destroy cancer cells. This can be accomplished by many means.

One way is to educate the patient and family that treatment is a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week process. Treatment never ends, although it will evolve in different stages. This means treatment continues after the patient goes home.

Something every single cancer patient should be aware of is the importance of food. To a cancer patient, everything they eat either supports or fights cancer. Basic online research will list the food groups to be avoided and the ones full of cancer-fighting properties.

A patient can supplement their diet with vitamins, minerals, amino acids and herbs that should be carefully considered by their health care provider. These supplements should be taken daily and made a priority, as they can accomplish many goals needed to successfully beat cancer.

All cancer patients can benefit from a consultation with a naturopathic physician. The involvement can be as minimal as the patient wants or entail full oversight. Natural cancer treatment can consist of many modalities. One way to target cancer cells is with tailored nutritional intravenous (IV) supplements. In this way, the patient is able to receive nutrients that bypass the GI tract and go directly into the bloodstream.

Specific IVs are designed to achieve different goals. Some are customized to support the immune system and others to remove impurities from the blood. Some will hyper-oxygenate the patient’s blood, which creates an unfavorable environment for cancer to thrive. The options available for IV treatments are not only plentiful, but they are also potent and may complement conventional treatments.

Respecting cancer does not mean fearing it. To respect cancer is to know cancer. And having knowledge is the best way to beat an opponent. Finding the right physician to incorporate these modalities is key.

Paul Stallone, N.M.D., founded the Arizona Integrative Medical Center, located in Scottsdale, Ariz. He combines natural, alternative and conventional treatments to best fit each patient’s needs. drstallone.com or 480-214-3922.

Reprinted from AzNetNews, Volume 33, Number 6, December 2014/January 2015.