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Read Dr. Elena Krasnov's Weekly Column in the Health & Fitness section of the 24 Hours Magazine. Look for new articles every week!

Monday, March 02, 2009

Alternative Therapies for Stomach Cancer Treatment

Q: Dear Elena: My 68 year old brother has been diagnosed with stomach cancer. His oncologist did not recommend any treatment such as chemotherapy. He gave him a time span of 1 year to live. Are there any other treatments? Please help. Thank you.

A: There are two factors that play a major role in the development of stomach cancer; infection with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacteria and diet, especially the type of diet that's high in salted, smoked and pickled foods common in areas that lack refrigeration as a means of preserving food.

Regardless of the stage of your cancer, your brother has options. It may not be a good idea not to pursue chemotherapy. Stomach cancer is very hard to treat with chemotherapy, it may severely debilitate your brother without much result.. There has not been much in the way of new developments in stomach cancer treatments in the last 20. The oncologist may have been right in not recommending it. However, one should never just sit around without hope. There are a lot of natural remedies and avenues that can be explored.

I think it is important to rule out H. Pylori infection and if it is positive treat it aggressively with antibiotics. Increasing ones immune system is paramount in everyone especially cancer patients, but taking it in the pill form may not be effective because absorption may be compromised. Vitamin C intravenous infusions, which I offer at my clinic, are effective treatment for both cancer patients and for general immune stimulation. High doses of Vitamin C when infused over 2-3 hours have been shown to have chemotherapy like effect on cancer cells. Subcutaneous injections of Viscum Album extracts such as Helixor have been used in Germany by oncology clinics for years. It is simple to administer and after initial dosing can be done at home by either a patient or by a relative. Dose is stage and symptom dependent and must be established by a practitioner experienced in using it.

Even when the disease comes to a terminal stage and the conventional treatments cannot be applied, there is still hope for a much longer and better life merely with the complementary medicine and dietary changes.

Your brother should eat small frequent meals, chewing food thoroughly and avoid drinking while eating. He should also avoid very hot or cold foods, sugar and use dairy foods cautiously. If he is able he should try eating softly cooked or pureed fruits and vegetables, rice, plain baked potatoes, soups, broth, and chicken or fish cooked without fat.

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Dr. Elena Krasnov is a registered Naturopathic Doctor and Clinic Director of the Toronto Naturopathic Clinic. Submit your questions online at 24hrs.ca

Co-written by Miranda Tallon-Malisani Holistic Nutritionist