Cancer

Treatment Approaches

Dr Ngu provides expert immune support care for people with cancer or to those who want to prevent cancer or who have a family history of cancer. Her primary role is to provide supportive treatments to patients who are also receiving conventional oncology treatments, such as chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. However people who have failed traditional oncology treatments, people who cannot tolerate traditional approaches to medicine, and those who refuse to do traditional (conventional) therapies seek Dr Ngu for alternative or supportive treatments.

Many factors cause complex disorders and weaken the body’s defense mechanisms, organs and systems, and especially the immune system, which is responsible for protection against disease. In the presence of these causal factors, the body is weakened and cancer cells are able to develop easily, like seeds in well-prepared soil. Since they aren’t met with any resistance, they quickly form tumors that spread out, metastasize, and further weaken the body. Therefore, cancer is simply the outward symptom of an ongoing, serious, generalized chronic disease that has already been present in the body for years. The tumor is not the disease. So when a surgeon removes a cancer tumor, he has only eliminated one symptom of the patient’s disease; he hasn’t cured that patient. Whenever patients have had malignant tumors totally removed, they are at an increased risk for developing new tumors or metastases, and should therefore consider immunobiological treatments to prevent this from happening.

Cancer isn’t just about the disorder of a single organ, but is instead always about the expression of a comprehensive disorder of the whole person’s body and soul. Therefore, holistic therapy must address the individual causes which led to cancer in the first place.

Dr Ngu will discuss with you an individualized program chosen to be compatible, effective and optimal to your condition

Treatment Approaches considered include the following:

▪ Treating Inflammation

▪ Building Up the Body with Botanicals, Vitamins and Other Nutrients

▪ Girding the Body’s Foundations

▪ Improving Cellular Energy, Immune Function and Immune Modulation

▪ Eliminating Oxidative Stress and Increasing the Body’s Antioxidant Capacity

▪ Botanical Therapies

▪ Detoxification

▪ Treating Infected Teeth

▪ Correcting Hormonal Imbalances

▪ Dietary Recommendations

▪ Balancing Insulin and Glucose

▪ Treating Hypercoagulation

▪ Improving Immune Function

▪ Intravenous Vitamin C

▪ Oxidative therapy

▪ Photoluminescence or Ultraviolet Blood Irradiation

▪ Laetrile

▪ Pancreatic Enzymes

▪ Physical Therapies

▪ Lifestyle Recommendations for Healing

▪ The Role of Stress, the Mind and Spirituality in Healing

▪ Healing Emotional Trauma ( Breathwork, Process Work, Meditation)

▪ Use of Bioenergertic biofeedback techniques/devices to release emotional stress and trauma

▪ Treatment Considerations

When to Use Conventional Medicine to Treat Cancer

IPT ( Insulin Potentiated Therapy) – a gentler kinder from of chemotherapy

▪ Roadblocks to Healing

▪ What More Patients Should Understand When Researching Cancer Treatments

▪ How Family and Friends Can Support Their Loved Ones with Cancer

▪ Preventing and Minimizing the Adverse Effects of Anti-Neoplastic Therapies

▪ Managing Symptoms

Insomnia

Peripheral Neuropathy

Fatigue

Cancer Overview

The second leading cause of death in the US, cancer is an invasive, uncontrolled replication of cells in the body. Lifestyle and environmental factors have been implicated as the cause of at least 60% of existing cases of cancer. Cancer risk is highest in individuals who have family members with cancer. Most cancers develop over several years. If the cancer is detected early and properly treated, many cancer patients can have a favorable outcome.

What Causes Cancer?

Currently, it is thought that cancer is caused by multiple factors. Many physicians agree that cancer has multiple interacting causes. This is contrary to the scientific view of identifying single precipitating factors—such as genes or infectious organisms. Practitioners of integrative medicine know there is no single cause for cancer, nor is there a single cure. Cancer is caused by a gradual toxic systemic exposure and weakening of body systems (i.e. immune system). However, there are contributing factors, which will be reviewed briefly and are listed below:
* Chronic Stress * Diet and nutritional deficiencies * Environmental toxins * Excessive exposure to sunlight * Food additives * Free radicals * Genetic predisposition * Heavy metal toxicity (mercury, arsenic, lead, etc.) * Hormonal dysfunction * Immune-suppressive drugs * Intestinal toxicity and digestive imbalance * Oncogenes (genes responsible for initiating cancer) * Pesticides and herbicides * Polluted water * Tobacco and smoking * Viruses

Chronic Stress

Stress can be defined as a reaction that can potentially upset the function of normal physical and emotional health. There are various causes of stress, such as illness, pain, loss, grief, financial pressures, and so on. Chronic stress directly affects the immune system in a negative way. Stress is part of life and a continual health challenge. The stress load continues to grow with each passing decade. Many Americans today experience stress from the overwhelming job pressures in a fast-paced corporate culture. Under emotional distress, the brain releases many signals to produce certain hormones that can weaken the immune response. Cancer activity can be accelerated in the presence of these chemicals. Research confirms that emotional stress can increase your susceptibility to illness. Chronic stress that is unrelieved can begin to weaken body systems and suppress vital function.

Diet and Nutritional Deficiencies

The types of foods we eat profoundly influence our health. According to the National Academy of Sciences, 60% of all cancers in women and 40% of all cancers in men may be caused by dietary and nutritional factors.* Some of the negative factors in diet are listed below:
* Excessive intake of meat products * Excessive intake of processed and smoked foods * Decreased vegetable and leafy green intake * Contaminated fish and seafood intake * Excessive fat intake * Excessive sugar intake * Excessive alcohol and caffeine consumption * Inadequate hydration (not drinking enough water) * Inadequate essential fatty acid intake (omega 3, 6,and 9′s)
Nutritional imbalances may increase cancer risk and facilitate degenerative disease. A wholesome diet with healthy foods is the foundation of good health.
* Committee on Diet, Nutrition and Cancer. Assembly of Life Sciences,
National Research Council. Diet, Nutrition and Cancer. Washington, DC: National Academy Press, 1982.

Environmental Toxins

There is a continuous challenge to keep environmental pollutants under control. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that as many as 10,000 cancers a year in the United States can be attributed to indoor air pollution. The EPA cannot begin to calculate how many cancer cases outdoor pollutants cause. In my opinion, the number of cancer cases caused by external pollutants is seriously high. The key here is to minimize exposure and strengthen the body’s ability to defend itself against the negative factors in the environment.

Chronic Sunlight Exposure

Our Earth’s protective barrier from UV rays continues to be compromised. The Earth’s upper atmosphere has expanded, weakening the Earth’s natural shield against it. With this weakening, comes the increase in the number of skin cancer cases that are seen each year. There are primarily three forms of skin cancer: melanoma, squamous, and basal cell types. Melanoma is the most lethal type of skin cancer. The number of melanoma cases annually is approximately 40,000. The other two forms in comparison are approximately 7,000. Using natural-based protective barrier creams against direct UV rays can minimize the risk of these cancers. Generally speaking, the damaging effects of too much sunlight on fair skin, which can also cause the immune system to be suppressed, can occur years before an actual tumor appears. This cancer risk can be minimized through prevention.

Food Additives

There are many chemicals that are added to foods to preserve shelf life. These chemicals are also used to enhance palatability of processed foods. There are over 3,000 of these chemicals used every year, and many have not been studied for their adverse effects on humans. Some of the most common food additives are:
* Saccharin * Cyclamates * Aflatoxins * Aspartame * Hydroxytoluene.
These chemicals are known to cause adverse biological activity, which can increase cancer risk significantly. Eating whole foods that are free of preservatives is the key to minimizing this cancer risk and the answer for healthier living.

Free Radical Damage

Today, we are exposed to all kinds of external and internal factors that can impair our health. Free radicals are among the most potentially harmful agents in existence. A free radical is an unstable molecule with an unpaired electron that steals an electron from another molecule, producing harmful effects. Antioxidants (Vitamin A, C, E, Selenium, CoQ10, glutathione, proanthocyanadins) are used to protect against these harmful effects. Free radicals are produced by both external factors (environmental pollution) and internal factors (immune defense and metabolism). Antioxidants can profoundly protect against such negative influences.

Genetic Predisposition

All cancer is genetic, in that altered genes trigger it. However, just a small portion of cancer is inherited: a mutation carried in reproductive cells, passed on from one generation to the next, and present in cells throughout the body. Most cancers come from random mutations that develop in body cells during one’s lifetime—either as a mistake when cells are going through cell division or in response to injuries from environmental agents such as radiation or chemicals. The involvement of genes in cancer is a complex subject. A term that is now used to describe the family tendency for particular cancers is “family cancer syndrome.” The term implies that the cancer is likely to show up in succeeding generations of the same family. Many advances are being made in cancer technology. Many genes are being identified with certain cancer types a few are listed below:
* Adenocarcinoma of lung, pancreas and colon- K-ras * Brain cancer – MSH2, MLH1, PMS1, PMS2 * Breast cancer – BRCA1, cyclin D1, erb-B2 * Colon and uterine cancer – BRCA2, DCC, K-ras, APC * Endocrine Cancer- MEN1, MEN2a * Leukemia- ATM, BLM, FA-A,C * Lung Cancer- myc, erb-B2, cyclin D1, abl * Lymphoma- ATM, BLM * Pancreatic Cancer- p16, BRCA2, MLH1, MSH2, PMS1, PMS2, K-ras * Skin Cancer- p16 (melanoma), BLM * Thyroid Cancer- MEN2B
Genetic predisposition doesn’t imply that you are going to develop the cancer. It is a term that should inspire you to lead a more health-conscious lifestyle in order to beat the odds of developing cancer.

Heavy Metal Toxicity

Heavy metals, such as mercury, arsenic, nickel, lead, and cadmium, are among the most common known to cause dysfunction in the body. These metals accumulate in healthy body tissue, causing toxic symptoms. Some of these symptoms include fatigue, joint aching, difficulty concentrating, headache, impaired bowel function, and cold hands and feet. There are ways to test for concentrations of these heavy metals. Urinary, blood, and hair analysis are available to determine if concentrations of these are increased in the body. In addition, ELISA/ACT testing is available to give a more accurate result on concentration within cells. Consult your physician on your options. Detoxification and chelation therapy may be indicated to help rid your body of these toxic metals, although identifying the source of exposure is essential.

Hormonal Imbalances

Hormonal imbalance can significantly increase cancer risk. There have been studies that have shown the risk of cancer to be higher in women who are using birth control as compared to nonusers. It is essential to determine the underlying cause of hormonal imbalance and to have the appropriate treatment. Hormonal analyses, using blood, urine, and/or saliva, are helpful diagnostic tools. There are other treatment options available. Natural hormone therapy and the use of certain herbs and nutrients demonstrate positive benefits. You may want to discuss this with your doctor.
† Weinstein, A.L., et al. “Breast Cancer Risk and Oral Contraceptive Use: Results from a Large Case-Control Study.” Epidemiology 2:5 (September1991): 353-358.

Immune-Suppressing Drugs

There are a great number of conventional drugs, antibiotics, and vaccines that can have suppressive effects on the immune system. Any suppression of the immune system is unfavorable, except in cases of organ transplantation and tissue rejection. In these cases, it is necessary to modulate the immune system to prevent the loss of function. Vaccinations have suppressive effects on the T lymphocytes, which are an integral part of immune defense and regulation. This could set the stage for the onset chronic disease. Antibiotics hinder immune response and disturb intestinal immune defense by killing off friendly bacteria that protect from potential disease-causing bacteria, viruses, and parasites.

Intestinal Toxicity

Besides the skin, the intestines have the largest surface area contained in the human body. Twenty-five feet of intestine lying out smooth provides approximately 2 ¼ miles of surface area. Many illnesses, including cancer, allergies, and chronic infections, can be attributed to toxic bowel function. If the intestines become clogged and diseased, a toxic environment
results. Often, an individual with such a toxic bowel is terribly ill. Diet is an essential part of bowel health. Heavy meat eaters and junk-food junkies are ruining their bowels; and over time, they will pay the consequences. Bowel cleansing and detoxification are strongly recommended. Stool digestive analysis is highly advised to determine the health of the bowel. In addition, replenishing healthy bowel bacteria in order to counteract the potentially harmful bacteria is essential. Speak to your doctor about bowel health and how to optimize it.

Oncogenes

In conventional medicine, the emphasis is to find individual genes capable of causing cancerous cells to proliferate and form tumors. Oncogenes were first identified in the 1970s, and currently there are many different oncogenes responsible for specific cancer types. An oncogene is a gene that causes normal cells to behave in a dysfunctional fashion, thus causing the development of cancer. With the new development that comes from the breaking of the genetic code, some new promising cancer therapies can be designed specifically to attack the cancer and spare healthy tissue. Cancer types will be identified genetically, and therapy will be genetically engineered. The positive benefits may include less side reactions to treatment, better quality of life while undergoing treatment, and hope of cure.

Pesticides and Herbicides

The use of pesticides and herbicides is widespread and alarming. Their usage has increased phenomenally since 1945. Over 400 pesticides are currently licensed for use on our food supply in the U.S. Approximately 1.5 billion pounds of these thousands of varied chemical compounds and formulations are dumped on crops, forests, lawns, and fields annually. The Environmental Protection Agency has identified many pesticides and herbicides that could leave carcinogenic residues on foods. These chemicals build up in body tissue and cause toxic accumulation. This process is called “bioaccumulation.” Such accumulation in fatty cells (breast, brain, and sexual organs) can initiate cancerous activity. Detoxification and chelation therapy may be necessary to remove these toxic compounds. In addition, careful selection and cleaning of the foods you eat are necessary precautions to assure healthier body function.

Polluted Water

Our water supply in North America is not as pure as it was 50 years ago. There are many organic chemicals and heavy metals found in higher concentrations with each passing decade. It takes greater efforts to purify the water using reverse osmosis and UV filtration. It is important to remember that approximately 75% of the toxins from water that enter the body accumulate in vital tissues. The liver can become overloaded and impaired by these pollutants, which can, in turn, cause cancerous activity to increase. Another problem is the use of chlorine and fluorine, two toxic compounds used to purify water and assure dental hygiene. Both of these elements are known to initiate cancerous activity. It is recommended that purified, filtered water, without the use of chlorine and fluorine, be used. When shopping for pure water, ask for a chemical and biological analysis. In addition, it is important to know where the water source is coming from. This information is available to you without charge. Your water supply should be free of any toxic elements and/or compounds as well as any harmful organisms, such as Giardia and Cryptosporidium, that impair healthy body function.

Tobacco, Smoking, and Alcohol

Tobacco, smoking, and alcohol consumption are among the top cancer causing agents known. It is estimated that 300,000 deaths occur each year in the U.S. as a result of tobacco and alcohol use. The American Cancer Society estimates that in the year 2010 about 200,000 cancer deaths are expected to be caused by tobacco use, and about 26,000 cancer deaths may be related to excessive alcohol use, frequently in combination with tobacco use.

Viruses

Viruses are non-living particles that look for a living host to replicate. Approximately 15% of the world’s cancer cases have been linked to a viral cause. Hepatitis B and C, human papillomavirus (HPV type 16 and 18), Cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Epstein-Barr (EBV), the same virus that causes “mono”, are suspect in increasing cancer risk. There are many other viruses that are suspect in causing cancer including the stealth viruses and the Spuma class of viruses.

Chronic Inflammation

Chronic inflammation in the body can predispose to the development of cancer cells. Inflammation is a normal process but when it is chronic then cell types can transform into cancer cells. There are many causes of inflammation and it is essential to find the cause. Trauma and infection are the two most common causes of inflammation. Integrative medicine is very effective in treating underlying causes of inflammation.

AFTER YEARS OF TELLING PEOPLE CHEMOTHERAPY IS THE ONLY WAY TO TRY (TRY THE KEY WORD) AND ELIMINATE CANCER, JOHN HOPKINS IS FINALLY STARTING TO TELL YOU THERE IS AN ALTERNATIVE WAY.

Cancer Update from John Hopkins.

1. Every person has cancer cells in the body. These cancer cells do not show up in the standard tests until they have multiplied to a few billion. When doctors tell cancer patients that there are no more cancer cells in their bodies after treatment, it just means the tests are unable to detect the cancer cells because they have not reached the detectable size.

2. Cancer cells occur between 6 to more than 10 times in a person’s lifetime

3. When the person’s immune system is strong the cancer cells will be destroyed and prevented from multiplying and forming tumors.

4. When a person has cancer it indicates the person has multiple nutritional deficiencies. These could be due to genetic, environmental, food and lifestyle factors.

5. To overcome the multiple nutritional deficiencies, changing diet and including supplements will strengthen the immune system.

6. Chemotherapy involves poisoning the rapidly-growing cancer cells and also destroys rapidly-growing healthy cells in the bone marrow, gastro-intestinal tract etc, and can cause organ damage, like liver, kidneys, heart, lungs etc.

7. Radiation while destroying cancer cells also burns, scars and damages healthy cells, tissues and organs.

8. Initial treatment with chemotherapy and radiation will often reduce tumor size. However prolonged use of chemotherapy and radiation do not result in more tumor destruction.

9 When the body has too much toxic burden from chemotherapy and radiation the immune system is either compromised or destroyed, hence the person can succumb to various kinds of infections and complications.

10. Chemotherapy and radiation can cause cancer cells to mutate and become resistant and difficult to destroy. Surgery can also cause cancer cells to spread to other sites.

11. An effective way to battle cancer is to starve the cancer cells by not feeding it with the foods it needs to multiply.

CANCER CELLS FEED ON:

a. Sugar is a cancer-feeder.. By cutting off sugar it cuts off one important food supply to the cancer cells. Sugar substitutes like NutraSweet, Equal,Spoonful, etc are made with Aspartame and it is harmful. A better natural substitute would be Manuka honey or molasses but only in very small amounts. Table salt has a chemical added to make it white in color. Better alternative is Bragg’s aminos or sea salt.

b. Milk causes the body to produce mucus, especially in the gastro-intestinal tract. Cancer feeds on mucus. By cutting off milk and substituting with unsweetened soya milk cancer cells are being starved.

c. Cancer cells thrive in an acid environment. A meat-based diet is acidic and it is best to eat fish, and a little chicken rather than beef or pork. Meat also contains livestock antibiotics, growth hormones and parasites, which are all harmful, especially to people with cancer.

d. A diet made of 80% fresh vegetables and juice, whole grains,seeds, nuts and a little fruits help put the body into an alkaline environment.About 20% can be from cooked food including beans. Fresh vegetable juices provide live enzymes that are easily absorbed and reach down to cellular levels within 15 minutes to nourish and enhance growth of healthy cells. To obtain live enzymes for building healthy cells try and drink fresh vegetable juice (most vegetables including bean sprouts)and eat some raw vegetables 2 or 3 times a day. Enzymes are destroyed at temperatures of 104 degrees F (40 degrees C).

e. Avoid coffee, tea, and chocolate, which have high caffeine. Green tea is a better alternative and has cancer-fighting properties. Water-best to drink purified water, or filtered, to avoid known toxins and heavy metals in tap water. Distilled water is acidic, avoid it.

12. Meat protein is difficult to digest and requires a lot of digestive enzymes. Undigested meat remaining in the intestines become putrified and leads to more toxic buildup.

13. Cancer cell walls have a tough protein covering. By refraining from or eating less meat it frees more enzymes to attack the protein walls of cancer cells and allows the body’s killer cells to destroy the cancer cells.

14.. Some supplements build up the immune system (IP6, Flor-ssence, ,Essiac, anti-oxidants, vitamins, minerals, EFAs etc.) to enable the body’s own killer cells to destroy cancer cells. Other supplements like vitamin E are known to cause apoptosis, or programmed cell death, the body’s normal method of disposing of damaged, unwanted, or unneeded cells.

15. Cancer is a disease of the mind, body, and spirit. A proactive and positive spirit will help the cancer warrior be a survivor. Anger, unforgiveness and bitterness put the body into a stressful and acidic environment. Learn to have a loving and forgiving spirit. Learn to relax and enjoy life.

16. Cancer cells cannot thrive in an oxygenated environment. Exercising daily, and deep breathing help to get more oxygen down to the cellular level. Oxygen therapy is another means employed to destroy cancer cells.

CANCER UPDATE FROM JOHN HOPKINS HOSPITAL , U S

1. No plastic containers in micro.

2. No water bottles in freezer.

3. No plastic wrap in microwave.

Johns Hopkins has recently sent this out in its newsletters. This information is being circulated at Walter Reed Army Medical Center as well.

Dioxin chemicals cause cancer, especially breast cancer.
Dioxins are highly poisonous to the cells of our bodies.
Don’t freeze your plastic bottles with water in them as this releases dioxins from the plastic.

Recently, Dr. Edward Fujimoto, Wellness Program Manager at Castle Hospital , was on a TV program to explain this health hazard. He talked about dioxins and how bad they are for us.. He said that we should not be heating our food in the microwave using plastic containers.
This especially applies to foods that contain fat. He said that the combination of fat, high heat, and plastics releases dioxin into the food and ultimately into the cells of the body. Instead, he recommends using glass, such as Corning Ware, Pyrex or ceramic containers for heating food. You get the same results, only without the dioxin. So such things as TV dinners, instant ramen and soups, etc., should be removed from the container and heated in something el se.
Paper isn’t bad but you don’t know what is in the paper. It’s just safer to use tempered glass, Corning Ware, etc. He reminded us that a while ago some of the fast food restaurants moved away from the foam containers to paper. The dioxin problem is one of the reasons.

Also, he pointed out that plastic wrap, such as Saran, is just as dangerous when placed over foods to be cooked in the microwave. As the food is nuked, the high heat causes poisonous toxins to actually melt out of the plastic wrap and drip into the food. Cover food with a paper towel instead.