Improved diet may help prevent reoccurrence
Published Sep 7, 2002 in the North Island Weekender
I am seeing more and more cancer patients for which I am thankful as I sincerely believe that complementary or naturopathic medicine can truly help these folks through any stage: initial diagnosis, during chemotherapy and radiation, post treatment and prevention and even later stages of cancer. Most Oncologists (Cancer Specialists) are not supportive of complementary medicines. However as some of them become more progressive and see the emerging research they are beginning to work with naturopathic and orthomolecular physicians to provide better outcomes for their patients.
Stu is an employee of the local mill and he had been recently diagnosed with basal cell skin cancer. He is undergoing biopsies and removals of these lesions but physicians don’t have follow up treatments if the cancer has not spread. So Stu had come in to see how he could prevent further episodes as well as improve his health in general. Other types of cancers I have seen lately are breast, prostate and liver cancer.
On average 335 people in BC and Yukon will be diagnosed with cancer every week and 156 people will die every week. It is the second leading cause of death for Canadians after heart disease. I offered Stu my cancer treatment protocols individualized to his cancer type. This included diet and lifestyle changes as well as a comprehensive nutrient program. I explained to Stu that it is hard to evaluate the effect of such a program. There are few good cancer marker tests although I am offering a natural killer cell count test to evaluate the immune system’s ability to fight. Depending on the type of cancer other markers can be measured i.e. estrogen types in the case of breast and prostate cancer and there is a lab in the US that offers a very comprehensive immune system profile but the cost is prohibitive for most patients. They are not offered or covered by MSP of BC. The evaluation of the program is usually based on the well being of the patient and the length of treatment is for life.
I told Stu of the car versus body care story. We are most willing to spend thousands of dollars on a vehicle that at most will give us 12-15 years of service but are most hesitant to spend the same on our bodies that we hope to keep for 70-90 years! According to the research of Dr. Abram Hoffer MD of Victoria, a good nutrient program for the treatment of cancer can improve the duration of life 10-20 fold, it is less expensive compared to standard treatments for cancer, the treatment is compatible with standard medical treatments and it is well tolerated and accepted by patients, improving their quality of life.
I encouraged Stu to come to my lecture on September 21st . Norske Canada Elk Falls Division is sponsoring a Health Fair at the Sportsplex, where I will be talking more about the prevention and treatment of cancer and successful aging. This is a topic that I bring up constantly with my patients. I call it “ Dr. Pincott’s Life Insurance Plan”. How much is your health worth to you?
Dr. Pincott has been practicing naturopathic medicine since 1985 and is currently practicing in Campbell River. She can be reached at (250) 286-3655 or www.DrPincott.com