Naturopathic Medicine and Cancer

To most people, cancer is a scary word.

But the truth is, cancer cells exist in every living person. The challenge to normal healthy cells is to remain normal and healthy despite daily carcinogenic exposure through the environment (and our food, water and air). Even the regular metabolic processes of our cells produce free radicals that can potentially produce cancer cells. Also, stress, negative thoughts, emotions and behaviours all directly and indirectly impact our lifestyle habits and health.

Are you preventing or encourging cancer?  Take this quiz:

1. There is a history of cancer in my family
2. I am a smoker and/ or I drink alcohol on a regular bases
3. I am taking a number of medications
4. I eat a lot of processed foods
5. I am usually constipated (less than one bowel movement a day)
6. I usually hold feelings inside, especially when I am angry or upset
7. I work with and/or live near chemicals, pollution, radiation, farm, golf course etc
8. I've had a number of x-rays in my life
9. I like to tan in the summer and/or I use indoor tanning machines
10. I try to eat vegetables, organic food and/ or take vitamin and mineral supplements
11. I regularly have physical exams, by a doctor or myself (breast, testicle, skin, prostate, PAP)
12. I try to limit my intake of meat and processed foods
13. I exercise or have saunas on a regular basis
14. I do a fast, cleanse or detox on a regular basis
15. I express my emotions and/ or have a way to relieve stress
16. I have regular bowel movements everyday.
17. I believe I have control over my health
18. I've never been infected with HPV, CMV, hepatitis, Epstein-Barr, HIV, H. pylori or other parasites
19. I've never been diagnosed with cancer.

If you answered mostly Yes for questions 1 - 9 and mostly NO for questions 10 -19, you may be at increased risk for developing cancer or your may be encouraging cancer growth if you've been diagnosed with cancer.

Cancer cells are mutated, unregulated and out of control cells that use up space and resources from the body. A healthy body has built in mechanisms (such as the immune system, apoptosis, anti-oxidant and enzymatic means) that detect and destroy abnormal and dysfunctional cells. As the body ages or becomes unhealthy, these mechanisms are not as effective and a growing number of abnormal cells that go undetected can eventually establish residence in the body and develop ways to crowd up body space and rob body resources.

Modern medical equipment can only detect a cancerous "lump" when hundreds to thousands of cancer cells already exist. But the reality is that that "lump" had been developing over many years previously. Although most cancers are potentially curable if detected at an early stage, the best protection against cancer is prevention.

80% of all cancers are preventable

Cancer cells can only exist in an environment that favours cancer production.

Naturopathic medicine focuses on cancer prevention. The ND will assess your current and past heath, your lifestyle and risk factors and your health goals. Balancing your physical, mental and emotional well-being are crucial in optimizing your health and immune function.

The focus of treatment is to make your body a hostile environment against cancer. There are many ways to naturally prevent or discourage cancer development and the ND will find the best approach for you.

If You Have Been Diagnosed With Cancer:

Naturopathic Medicine should play an active role in your road to recovery:

• Boost your immune system to help control and destroy cancer cells
• Use natural products to selectively target and kill cancer cells
• Recommend supplements as an adjunct to chemo and radiation therapy and to reduce their side effects
• Help control pain and discomfort
• Design a specialized diet to meet your nutritional needs
• Do physical and mental exercises to help release stress and tension and increase body function and inner well-being
• Provide emotional support in your time of need