Who knew ?? Cancer treatment.

[RobinandMark]

I live in a town (Accompong Town) that is widely known for using herbal medicines to "cure" a lot of maladies and they can point to the fact that most residents live into their 90's and above as proof. However, it is also true that when someone dies of cancer etc., it gets conveniently removed from the narrative.

Herbals and natural foods are beneficial to one's health and that is not a disputed fact. What is disputed is the use of the word "cure" as taking substances to keep one from getting something is a long way from having a disease like cancer and then taking herbals and natural foods as a medicine to rid the body of them.

Perhaps it is because these substances are not regulated and scientifically tested in a blind study of sufficient samplings to make a definitive statement while rather relying on carefully worded statements like; "thought to prevent one from...." or "Is known to..." to give false hope to desperate suffers.

Medical science knows that environmental factors and heredity have the most to do with developing cancer in the first place. Jamaicans are disproportionately blessed in both of these categories and thus develop cancers etc. at a lower rate than say Americans, Canadians, etc..

Yes, I feel that Noni, Sour Sop, merengue, etc. are a good way to consume substances that prevent one from acquiring a disease like cancer but, when it comes to curing it???? It happens just enough times (sans any other possible contributors) to keep the dream alive but to rely on it as a good cure is like the saying "a fool wanders but a wise man travels".

Peace and Guidance

Very wise reply.

[Big_frank]

Thank you for those wise words Bill.

[patty_k]

I have also been warned by my homeopath about the possible connection between sour sop and parkinsons'. I do still use the bark and leaf in tea, along with guinea hen root and meringay leaf, but have cut back the amount and frequency. I too, chose to use these 'remedies' after a full course of chemo and radiation at one of Cananda's best cancer hospitals, blessedly in the hands of a top notch oncologist. Fingers crossed folks, the only guarantee in life is that anything can happen at anytime.

[Accompong]

I have also been warned by my homeopath about the possible connection between sour sop and parkinsons'. I do still use the bark and leaf in tea, along with guinea hen root and meringay leaf, but have cut back the amount and frequency. I too, chose to use these 'remedies' after a full course of chemo and radiation at one of Cananda's best cancer hospitals, blessedly in the hands of a top notch oncologist. Fingers crossed folks, the only guarantee in life is that anything can happen at anytime.

All the best wishes for a speedy recovery, patty_k

What you have revealed as your personal quest for a complete "remedy" for your specific condition is a testament to good judgment based on the best information available to Western Medical Practices. It is so important to use words that accurately describe things.... however using 'remedies' and the homeopathic natural herbs and roots you listed in the same way implies that they can ".... cure or relieve a disease or bodily disorder; a healing medicine, application, or treatment" (from a dictionary passage).

I think their usage can provide a certain amount of prevention in acquiring the disease in the first place and possibly delay or eliminate the possibility of a reoccurrence which is different than being a "cancer treatment" which is the gist of the article.

I know it sounds a bit "nit picky" but I am sure you know the difference based on your own course of action after learning of your condition. I just worry about what others believe based on inaccurate and incomplete claims made every time someone wants to promote a book, article or a product that is a "remedy" or a "cure" for the dreaded disease of cancer.

The funny thing is that people who believe in these "home-grown" cures often say that modern forms of treatments like chemo, etc. are unnecessary and that doctors don't want people to know that because they are trying to protect their income stream. They say that all you have to do is eat a few berries or drink some tea and "zap" the cancer is gone!

"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" does imply that herbal prevention is worth way more than chemotherapy. That is true before a cancer is present but hardly comforting to someone facing possible death.

Again, best of luck to you and to anyone whose life has been touched by cancer.

Peace and Guidance

[patty_k]

Accompong, I am in 100% agreement, I believe in the merit of homeopathic treatments, but not to the exclusion of mainstream science.

[nutz4travel]

I agree completely Accompong - since Mr. Nutz was diagnosed, I can't begin to tell you how many "cures" people have come up with. He's responding well to the "conventional" treatment, so I see no need to abandon that for something less proven.

All the best to you Patty - looking forward to meeting you next week sometime!

[Rasta Stan]

Bill, very wise words and I agree totally with your view.
As my wife and I both have gone through cancer we trust our doctors, but look for healthly choices also.