Myeloma – Conventional, Complementary, Integrative

Hi Florence-

The Galen Foundation DBA PeopleBeatingCancer is a 501c3 private operating foundation. The IRS designation of “private operating foundation” as opposed to a private foundation such as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is that PBC operates or runs its own programs.

In our case, our program is PeopleBeatingCancer. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, for example, is a private foundation that makes grants aka gives money away to other non-profit organizations. We use the money we raise from donors and from our fee-for-service programs to operate PeopleBeatingCancer.

David Emerson

Hi Florence-

Having said that, we spend 75% of our revenues on program administration.

David Emerson

Hi Andrea,

I will assume that you are talking about managing multiple myeloma. From your post, it appears that you are pursuing both nutritional and mind-body therapies. This is great.

The only other evidence-based, non-toxic therapies to consider would be those nutritional supplements that have been shown to be cytotoxic (aka kill) multiple myeloma. I take curcumin, resveratrol, omega-3, others daily.

Good luck,

David Emerson

Hi Ken-

I’m not sure what you are referring to when you say “correspondence.” You became a member in June of ’16, recieved the MM CC guides and we discussed your MM induction therapy, side effects and your remission at the time.

What is your current MM status? How are your side effects?

David Emerson

Hi Joe-

I am both a long-term cancer survivor and cancer coach. I work with cancer patients to help manage their therapies, side effects, and more. But in order to help you I need more info. Do you have cancer? If so, what type of cancer? What stage? Are you undergoing any therapies? If so, which ones?

Let me know. Hang in there.

David Emerson

Hi Joe-

I will assume that you are the guy who emailed “I Need Help.” What stage is your kidney cancer currently? What state do you live in?

Let’s work through email communication before we talk on the phone. Thanks.

David Emerson

HI Gene-
I am sorry to learn of your bladder cancer diagnosis. Please tell me the stage of your bladder cancer when you were first diagnosed. Radical cystectomy is not standard therapy for bladder cancer stages 1 or 2. Did you undergo any other therapy for your bladder cancer other than chemotherapy (BCG)?

Did you receive Transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) before your the chemotherapy?

Supplementation with curcumin and essential oils is a good step regardless. Let me know. Thanks.

David Emerson

Hi Pinku-

I am sorry to learn of your father’s metastatic lung cancer diagnosis. Metastatic lung cancer is an aggressive diagnosis with a poor prognosis. Any recommendations as to his therapy depends on his:

1) stage and specific type of lung cancer- either non-small cell lung or small cell lung-

2) his age and general health status-

3) what are the names of the chemotherapies he is currently undergoing? Integrative therapies to enhance efficacy is a must-

Let me know, thanks.

David Emerson

Hi Craig-

I delayed my reply a bit to think about how directly to respond to you. I decided that an email address with “karaoke” in it deserves a direct response.

While lung cancer staged at 3b is not the worst diagnosis a person can get, it is serious. While I haven’t spoken to your onc. of course my guess is that if he has stopped therapy with a partial remission (50% reduction is good but not complete) then it is fair to conclude that he understands that your lung cancer will grow back and that more chemo will only hurt your quality of life. The issue for you to think about is just how fast will your lung cancer grow back?

My point is that conventional oncologic therapies offered a little help (50%) but you need to pursue additional therapies. Lung cancer is an aggressive cancer. I would undergo as many non-toxic therapies as my research reveals.

Based on the pubmed study below, Cesium Chloride is an excellent start.
Cesium therapy in cancer patients.
” The small number of autopsies made showed the absence of cancer cells in most cases and the clinical impression indicates a remarkably successful outcome of treatment.”

I would take those antioxidant supplements that have been shown by research to be cytotoxic (kill) lung cancer. I would research and include those lifestyle therapies that are anti-cancer.

Craig, I have been living with an “incurable” cancer since 1999. I believe I have remained in complete remission because of my living a sort of anti-cancer lifestyle 24/7. I think you should do the same. Keep in mind that everything I do is non-toxic.

I am both a cancer survivor and cancer coach. If you would like to learn more about my cancer coaching let me know.

Hang in there,

David Emerson

Hi Donald,

PeopleBeatingCancer is an online resource for cancer patients, survivors and caregivers. I am a long-term cancer survivor myself and a cancer coach.

David Emerson

Hi Jessica-

If you can tell me the names of the chemotherapies that your mom is taking I will research possible integrative supplementation. For example, CoQ10 has been documented to reduce or eliminate anthrocycline induced heart damage.

If you are interested I can suggest anti-angiogenic nutrition and supplementation to support your mom’s therapy. I am a long term blood cancer survivor myself and I supplement with antioxidants to keep me in remission.

Let me know what your mom is taking.

David Emerson

Hi Michael-

I agree that it is important to avoid the cure being worse than the disease syndrome. You are correct to focus on this quality of life issue.

Yes, there are antioxidant supplements that studies cite to shrink tumors, polyps, etc. however I know of no studies that focus specifically on GIST and supplements. Further, supplementation shrinks growths slowly- over months and years. The studies that I would provide would talk about, for example, green tea extract (ECGC) shrinking endometrial polyps.

As for a surgical solution, please read the study that has been linked and excerpted below. In short, the study talks about a type of surgery for small gist tumors that should not remove 1/3 of your stomach- the study says “minimum necessary resection.”

If you are interested in learning more about this type of surgery I would recommend learning about specific centers and or surgeons can perform this type of surgery. I can research this who, and where if you would like.

If insurance/cost is an issue I would suggest getting prices for this type of surgery. While I’m sure that any hospitals asked about the price tag for a specific procedure will be tight-lipped, I think I could at least get an approximation of the costs.

Again, I can research more info if you would like- I need guidance before I do more research. Let me know.

A novel technique to minimize deformation of the stomach in laparoscopic partial gastrectomy for intraluminal gastric GISTs.
“The laparoscopic approach would be difficult to perform without causing deformation of the stomach in managing gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) of the intraluminal type, especially in those that are located in the posterior gastric wall or around the gastroesophageal junction and the pylorus, because intraluminal GISTs usually require an excessive resection of the gastric wall for cure. We present a novel surgical technique for successful management of intraluminal gastric GISTs that minimizes deformation of the stomach regardless of tumor location…

Our laparoscopic procedure for gastric GISTs is simple and allows us easy and precise removal of the tumor and closure of the gastric wall with minimum necessary resection, regardless of the location and growth form of the tumors.”

laproscopic surgery defined

David Emerson

Hi Rose-
I am sorry to learn of your daughter’s cervical cancer diagnosis. In order for me to provide information about cancer therapies for cervical cancer I will need to learn the specific stage of your daughter’s cervical cancer diagnosis.

While a woman can get bear children after a leep procedure, she cannot get pregnant after a hysterectomy (though I’m sure you knew this).

If I understand your email, you and your daughter are weighing cervical cancer therapies (leep only vs. hysterectomy) and pregnancy? Leep may be used for early cervical cancer but if I understand you, your daughter’s cervical cancer may be more advanced and therefore require more extensive treatment than leep?

For the record, my sister could not conceive naturally, adopted two boys and none of us can imagine a world in which my two nephews are not in our lives. Please take this in the spirit in which it is intended.

If you reply with your daughter’s stage I will provide the treatment recommendations based on my findings.

thanks

David Emerson

Hi Nicole-

I am sorry to read about your husband’s renal cancer. Yes, a cancer diagnosis is difficult to “get through.” You are correct in thinking that conventional oncology is limited in thinking that a case is “incurable.” Always remember that I was terminal after 3 years of aggressive therapies. That was back in 1997 so there is always hope.

Several things. First, by surgically removing your husband’s tumors and effected lymph nodes you have already reduced or debulked his cancer. When your onc. tells you that ““we can treat you, not cure you” he is saying that there are no conventional therapies to cure your husband. Therefore you two must think beyond conventional therapies.

Antioxidant therapies to consider are

lycopene-

milk thistle-

Curcumin-

resveritrol

omega 3 fatty acids

grapefruit extract

Daily moderate exercise such as a brisk walk, no smoking of course, no alcohol for awhile anyway-

Nicole- I can provide links to those brands of the supplements above if you are interested. Let me know. Lastly, your husband’s situation is serious so please act aggressively.

Let me know if you have any questions. Hang in there…

David Emerson

Hi Tamika-

Yes, there are a variety of complimentary, integrative (supplements to make chemo MORE effective) and conventional therapies that treat brain cancer. What is the exact diagnosis ( meningioma, astrocytoma, glioblasgtoma for example). What stage?

The more information I have the more therapies I can provide you. Both conventional and non conventional.

Let me know. Thanks.

David Emerson
Survivor, Director PBC

Hi Janet-

Thanks. It is a trite saying but knowledge is power, especially when referring to one’s health. Yes, I would get a second opinion. I know nothing of your case of course but I do know that a full, accurate diagnosis is the key to any/all health treatment.

thanks

David Emerson

Hi Carrie-

I am sorry to read of your IDC stage 1 and DCIS diagnosis. Your struggle is understandable. By that I mean that what you are thinking through is one of the, if not the most studied issues in cancer treatment today. You are in good company…

My comments below combined with the info I have linked from BreastCancer.org will break down the issues and address each. The more you read, the more you learn (from all sources) the better your decision-making will be. There are no guarantees in cancer treatment of course but choices we make now dictate what happens in the future.

1) A single mastectomy to remove your cancer is that therapy that reduces your risk of relapse more than any other therapy. Please read the BreastCancer.org article linked and excerpted below. This article describes your situation pretty well.

Treatment for DCIS

Oncotype DX Breast Cancer Assay-

2) Testing your biopsy to learn more about your risk of relapse.

“The Oncotype DX DCIS test is a genomic test that can help you and your doctor make decisions about treatments after surgery for DCIS. The Oncotype DX DCIS test analyzes the activity of a group of genes that can help doctors figure out a woman’s risk of DCIS coming back and/or the risk of a new invasive cancer developing in the same breast, as well as how likely she is to benefit from radiation therapy after lumpectomy.

The Oncotype DX DCIS test results assign a Recurrence Score — a number between 0 and 100 — to the DCIS. You and your doctor can use the following ranges to interpret your results:”

3) Estrogen receptor positive and her2 positive- your onc. will encourage reducing your body’s production of estrogen. There are “natural” therapies and chemotherapies to do this. Aromatase inhibitors are given to reduce your estrogen. There are pluses and minuses to this therapy. Oncology has taken to NOT referring to tamoxifen/arimidex, etc. as “chemotherapy.” I disagree with this practice as aromatase inhibitors are a toxic chemical therapy, the definition of chemotherapy. Yes, studies indicate that aromatase inhibitors do reduce the risk of early BC relapse for estrogen pos. BC. Yes, there are therapies to reduce the risk of these side effects. Let me know if you choose to undergo aromatase inhibitors.

There are non-toxic supplements to reduce the bodies’ production of estrogen. Let me know if you would like me to research this more.

Click this link to read more

Finally, I will plug lifestyle as therapy. I rely on my own lifestyle to keep me in complete remission from my cancer, multiple myeloma (that universally returns…) and I have remained cancer free since ’99. Please read the link and give serious consideration to these therapies-

As an example- moderate, daily exercise. There is a GREAT deal of research citing the importance of regular, moderate exercise. Nutritional supplementation such as cucumin, omega 3 fatty acids, vitamin D, etc. Let me know if you would like the brands that I use, doses, etc.

Slash Your Breast Cancer Risk of Relapse Now!

Sorry for such a long reply. Please let me know if you have any questions or would like clarifications.

thanks and hang in there.

David Emerson

Hi Olga-

While I wouldn’t call anything about MM lucky, I would say that a six year remission from a stem cell transplant is doing well. When you say “I’m on 25mg of revlimid plus dex at the moment” I take you to mean that you are on a maintenance dose of revlimid.

First, you are correct. Green Tea, EGCG is contraindicated (fancy word for bad) for Velcade.

As for your question “I know they tell you not to take it while on velcade but have you heard anything about not taking it while on revlimid.”

According to the study linked and excerpted below, Green tea or EGCG acts synergistically with bortezomib aka revlimid. EGCG and revlimid work better together to KILL MM cells.

Potentiation of (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate-induced apoptosis by bortezomib in multiple myeloma cells.

“Our results demonstrated, for the first time, that the treatment of the KM3 cell line with EGCG inhibits cell proliferation and induces apoptosis, and there is a synergistic effect when EGCG and bortezomib are combined…”

Further, according to the study linked below, Curcumin also kills MM and enhances the efficacy of revlimid.

Curcumin enhances cytotoxic effects of bortezomib in human multiple myeloma H929 cells: potential roles of NF-κB/JNK.

“Combined curcumin and PS-341 treatment has been reported to enhance cytotoxicity and minimize adverse effects through ERK and p38MAPK mechanisms in human multiple myeloma cells.”

Omega-3 fatty acids, according to this study makes MM cells more sensitive to chemotherapy.
Omega-3 fatty acids, EPA and DHA induce apoptosis and enhance drug sensitivity in multiple myeloma cells but not in normal peripheral mononuclear cells.

Lastly, resveritrol, another antioxidant supplement has been shown to kills and sensitizes MM cells.
Resveratrol inhibits proliferation, induces apoptosis, and overcomes chemoresistance through down-regulation of STAT3 and nuclear factor-kappaB-regulated antiapoptotic and cell survival gene products in human multiple myeloma cells.

Olga, I supplement with all four antioxidants, Green Tea Extract

, curcumin

and Omega 3

fatty acids and resveritrol. I have been doing so for years now. I truly believe that I remain in complete remission because of my lifestyle (moderate, regular exercise), diet and supplementation.

I will link the brand’s of each supplement that I take. PeopleBeatingCancer get’s a 5% donation if you purchase anything on Amazon. It’s up to you. I believe this combined therapy is powerful.

Let me know how you do.

thanks

David Emerson

Hi Cherie-
I am sorry to learn of your myeloma diagnosis. I would like to answer your question “Please lete know what to use…and been 3 years on two chemo drug” In order to talk about possible therapies for your myeloma treatment I need to know what therapies you have already used and may or may not be ineffective.

Let me know, thanks

David Emerson

Hi Susan-

I to say that you seem to be in great spirits considering all the meds you have gone through. You seem to understand both sides of the hope that all cancer patients live with. Keep in mind that a experimental therapy took me from terminal to cancer-free status…in ’99. There is always hope.

Now then. I am going to spend time offering nutritionally based, non-conventional therapies thinking that you have access to conventional or traditional oncology. Further, bone mets put you into a more serious situation. Lastly, being thin is great for your heart but I don’t think you should lose too much more weight…intense toxicities can cause cachexia aka loosing too much weight.

Both of these therapies are evidence-based as linked in the blog posts. Please read and consider pursuing these therapies- they should not interfere with any of the conventional therapies that you are currently doing. You should talk to your onc. of course.

Ketogenic Diet and Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy as Cancer therapy
Avemar Cancer Therapy

This last therapy for you to consider is more of a long shot. This is one of those therapies that has been studied for decades off and on but is controversial. Please give the therapy serious consideration.
Intravenous vitamin C therapy

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Thanks and hang in there.

David Emerson

Hi Judy-
I am sorry to learn of your husband’s mm diagnosis. The good news is that there are many therapies available to you- conventional, non-conventional, and integrative.

As for myeloma research, yes, I can direct you to so much mm research that you will become an expert in no time.

By “aggressive form of the disease” are you referring to genetic markers, his stage, blood work, or some other diagnostic findings?
In other words, I can provide more focused info and or research based on the info you are looking for. I will ask a few questions below-

1) how old is your husband? Any health issues (beside mm)
2) what stage or what symptoms- bone pain, kidney involvement, etc.
3) Bood work? Blood diagnostics?

I don’t mean to sound nosey Debbie. I’m just trying to save you time and aggravation- caregiving an mmer is tough enough.

Let me know, thanks

David

Hi Annette-

I normally begin by telling the patient that I am sorry to learn of their cancer diagnosis. You, however, have managed your cancer and your other health challenges well. And since you came in on the CIA page, it is clear that you understand the need for all forms of therapies, conventional, integrative and alternative.

I’ll try to be more specific. To address your question “because Multiple Myeloma is such a difficult cancer to treat, what alternative therapies work the best or have had the most success for long term survival?” I think we mmers must do exactly what you have been doing.

Conventional- we can agree that conventional toxic chemo should only be used when an mmer really needs it. It looks like your numbers increased (your mm increased…) so you underwent a chemotherapy such as Velcade to come back into remission. Velcade has shown the ability to kill mm while helping kidney function.

Integrative- to continue talking about Velcade, if you need to use this chemo again someday, I will link studies below that cite curcumin/resveritrol/CBD’s ability to ENHANCE Velcade anti-mm action while minimizing toxicity-

Alternative- you are correct- myeloma is a very difficult cancer to keep in remission and therefore die of old age. I agree with you to employ homeopathy, nutritional supplements (curcumin, resveritrol, green tea extract (not during Velcade)) in order to stay as healthy as long as possible.
I continue to supplement with curcurmin, resveritrol, wobenzyme N, milk thistle, green tea extract, vitamin D3, daily and I have been in remission since 4/99. I do NOT consider myself to be cured. I work to remain in complete remission.

To answer your question I will tell you to do what I do- all the supps above plus moderate regular exercise to keep our bones strong, keep the lbs. off, eat nutritiously-

I hope this all makes sense, all helps.

let me know if you have any questions.

thanks

David Emerson

Anette-

I almost forgot-
Integrative use of Velcade-

Hi Russell-
Without knowing your wife’s diagnosis its difficult to give a definitive answer to your question. The link below will take you to the American Cancer Society’s explanation of many issues you are asking about.
Sex and chemotherapy

David Emerson

Hi Pat-

Yes, there are a variety of both integrative and alternative therapies. I can offer specific info based on your needs.
What is your current status (beside stage 3 ovarian cancer)? Are you in remission of any kind?
What is your health status? Any health issues that may effect your therapies?
What chemotherapies did you undergo? What affect, if any, did they have on your cancer?

If your onc is not recommending chemo or trials at this time does that mean that you are in remission? While I don’t mean to sound personal, the more info I have about your current health status the more info I can relay.

thanks and let me know,

David Emerson

May I recommend the book “The Amazing Power of Fucoidan” it’s written by a well known Oncologist from Japan Dr. Tachikawa. He has applied the use of conventional treatment and Fucoidan dietary supplement to his treatments for over 10 years. Based on the research and his successful application of fucoidan, people have been able to tolerate conventional treatment side effects, see their cancer diminish in size, and or to fully recover.

oil is what i would use if i were you.
what state are you in? You can use it
to see if it will keep your cancer in
remission (or at least not growing), as
a maint. drug. or if you need actual
treatment, that too. What I am suggesting
is illegal in some parts of anywhere. If
you would not mind living illegally,it
is worth a go. Otherwise, we will die
legally.

Pat, I would love to hear what you have found out since this posting……Nora

Hi Ciera-

The “standard of care” treatment that an oncologist recommends for a breast cancer diagnosis will depend on a range of factors including stage (at diagnosis), age, physical condition, any family history or possible genetic markers. I don’t know if this answer helps you or not. Let me know if you have any other questions. There are non-conventional therapies that may act based on how cancer grows but this is another email.

David Emerson