Multiple Myeloma Survivor- A Different kind of Second Opinion-

Hi Barbara-

I underwent induction therapy of vincristine, adiamycin and dexamethasone in 1995. I then underwent two courses of cytoxan followed by an autologous stem cells transplant. I underwent local radiation before and after the above chemo.

In September of ’97 I was end-stage, told nothing more could be done. I then began antineoplaston therapy from the Burzynski Research Institute in Houston, TX.

Depending on your other risk factors, a lambda FLC that is above the normal range does not mean high risk. Meaning the SMM patient with normal risk can live with SMM for years and not progress to full MM. At 72 I would recommend non-toxic therapies, pre-habilitation, clean living, etc. etc. in an effort to achieve quality of life.

It is certainly difficult to live with MM hanging over the SMM patient’s head. The key is to focus on pre-habilitation to reduce the risk of a mm diagnosis and at the same time condition the SMM patient to respond better to moderate induction if it is ever needed.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Hang in there Barbara,

David Emerson

Hi Mary-

I am sorry to learn of your myeloma diagnosis. Breaking in one oncologist is difficult enough. Breaking in three in a four year period would be above and beyond the call of duty.

Those myeloma patients over the age of 75 are considered to be elderly and therefore should be treated differently than the average myeloma patient.

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

David Emerson

Hi Dennis-

I am sorry that your son has been diagnosed with MM. Research has shown curcumin’s ability to enhance the efficacy of Velcade/bortezomib. See the study linked below. Depending on what other chemotherapy regimens your son is undergoing, there will be other supplements what, according to research, will act synergistically with his chemotherapy regimens.

All to say, in order go recommend anti-mm nutrition, integrative or complementary supplementation and anti-mm lifestyle therapies, I would need to know your son’s

MM stage at diagnosis (I,II,III)
Symptoms (bone, nerve pain, hyper viscosity, etc.)
Age
Goals, etc.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3344248/

Consider finding and working with a MM specialist rather than a general oncologist or hematologist/oncologist. Consider both the cure vs. control side of the treatment debate discussed below.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3923461/

Depending on your son’s age, your overall survival goals may be long-term.

Let me know if you have any questions. Good luck.

David Emerson

Hi Rachel,

I am a different kind of second opinion. I represent a long-term MM survivor’s perspective. Understand that formal diagnostic testing is the only way to get a diagnosis of MM that your health insurance, for example, will accept.

But I can help with a basic understanding of your symptoms such as bone pain or kidney involvement.

Why do you “suspect” you have MM?

David Emerson

Hi Arnold-

I responded directly to you via your email address.

Thanks,

David Emerson

Hi Lori-

Personal experience as well as studies confirm that massage helps relieve pain. Be careful as to what type of pain- bone, joint or muscle.

David

Hi Sarah,

You’ve mentioned several different areas of possible therapies for your friend. By “areas” I mean dosing as it relates to her stage, integrative therapies shown to enhance the efficacy of her chemo (curcumin has been shown to enhance the efficacy of velcade/bortezomib) and finally, a big issue is that of natural cure- MM is considered to be incurable. The longest living MM survivors I know of combine low-dose chemo with integrative or complementary therapies.

I will send the nutrition guide and the supplementation guide to your email address. The info in these guides should give you both some guidance going forward.

Hang in there,

David Emerson

Hi Penny-

Which book?

David Emerson

Hi Kristina-

I am sorry to learn about the MM patient. While I am the first person to question toxic MM therapies, even I admit that all MM patients with advanced MM (stage 2 or 3) must undergo chemotherapy to bring their MM under control. RVD is the SOC induction therapy and has proven to be remarkable for newly diagnosed MM patients.

If I were to speak to the MM patient I would recommend pre-habilitating her MM and then discuss possible integrative therapies to take WITH her induction chemotherapy (RVD).

I would caution against an autologous stem cell transplant, depending on her diagnosis.

I am telling the above to give you the basic info I would give if I were to talk with this person sometime.

Let me know if you would like me to speak to this person on the phone.

Thank you,

David Emerson

Hi Gerardine- The “nutrition guide” in the MM CC program cites specific anti-MM foods and supplements. I encourage
you to watch the video of the Ted Talk given by Dr. William Li as he talks about anti-angiogenic foods.

David

Hi Cathy,

Thanks for reaching out. The average age of the newly diagnosed MM patients is 69 according to the American Cancer Society. The ages of MM CC clients, as far as I can tell, spreads from 40’s,50’s,60’s,70’s,80’s and even a pre-mm client in his 90’s. It sounds like you are heading in the right direction. Good luck.

David Emerson

Hi Ronald,

I will reply to your post directly via email. Thanks.

David Emerson

Hi Gina,

I’m not sure what you mean about being wrong about sugar. While I and many studies encourage reducing sugar I don’t believe that anyone can totally eliminate all sugar from their diet. Regarding a donut after every infusion, my guess is that the mind-body benefits of a donut outweigh the negatives regarding sugar:-)

I would add fruits and veggies to your diet however. MM is a marathon not a race. Congrats on an M-spike of zero.

thanks

David Emerson

Hi Tara-
The key to your father’s quality and quantify of life going forward is a function of him getting a diagnosis for his neck. Please tell your dad that he does NOT have to do anything that his doctor tells him. Your dad is simply trying to figure out what the lumps are.

Good luck,

David Emerson

Hi Leslie-

I am sorry to read of your mom’s BC relapse. I want to understand your situation clearly. Are you saying that your mom’s breast cancer, first diagnosed in 2000 has metastasized to her bones and liver?

I am asking as my recommendations for therapies vary depending on the survivor’s situation.

Let me know and we can discuss therapy specifics.

David Emerson

My mom went through a similar experience and she too healed herself through a natural process by an herbalist she got in contact with.
.She had dysplaysia and detrimental cancer stage 3c. Here she is a year later and she is cancer free. It was a lot of work taking those herbs but she did it without chem. Her Dr told her she’d be dead in a year, well with chemo she probably would have. Fight the fight and keep on fighting. still have the contact of herbal Dr if you want to give it a try. Blessings.

Hi Rebecca-

I will reply to your email address.

David Emerson

Hi Debbie-

Thank you for reaching out. I am sorry to read of your BC diagnosis though it sounds as if you are doing as well as can be expected. If I understand your post correctly, you underwent the Oncotype DX Breast Cancer Recurrence Score and “came back only 1% difference for recurrence.” I take you to mean that your chance of BC relapse is only 1%. Are you saying that Oncotype is only accurate if you have chemotherapy too? If you underwent a double mastectomy and if you underwent hormone therapy you will reduce your risk of relapse.

In answer to your question, “What are your thoughts/suggestions on this???” You must ask your oncologist if chemotherapy and or radiation will FURTHER reduce your risk of relapse that offsets your increased risk of side effects and secondary cancer. In other words, will chemo and or radiation be worth it to you?

My personal belief is that conventional oncology minimizes the risks of chemo and radiation. However I don’t know enough about your particular situation to advise you one way or another.

If your oncologist “insisted I need chemo” ask him/her to be specific. Will the benefits outweigh the risks?

Let me know if you have any questions.

David Emerson

Thanks Marinko-

Thank you.

Hi Lori-

I am sorry to read of your lymphoma diagnosis. Your therapy plan will depend largely on your specific stage at diagnosis. Meaning, what specific type of lymphoma have you been diagnosed with? And then what stage of that specific type of lymphoma? While there are many evidence-based types of therapies for you to consider, your challenge will be to find those therapies that research shows can produce a remission or a cure.

I can give you more info based on your type and stage of lymphoma.

Hang in there,

David Emerson

Hi Fraser-

I am sorry to read of all of your PCa challenges. To be honest, I am not qualified to offer comment on your question “? have you heard or talked to other guys who thought their cancer may have started else where first THEN moved into the Prostate?” Your situation is intricate. Conventional oncology should be able to look at your health history and offer more information.

Hang in there,

David Emerson

Hi Mariola-

I am sorry to read of your friend’s stomach cancer that has metastasized to her liver and bones. Re your question ” Is there anything else she can do?” Yes, but at this point your decision-making is difficult as there is little if any available research to support non-conventional therapies.

Your friend’s cancer is advanced. There are non-conventional therapies such as nutrition, supplementation, etc. Let me know if you would like additional research done on the available non-conventional therapies.

David Emerson
Cancer Survivor
Cancer Coach

Hi Keith-

I am sorry to read of your prostate cancer diagnosis. I understand being challenged by a dizzying array of therapy choices each with their own risk/reward or pro/con trade-offs. Keep in mind that there are evidence-based non-conventional therapies for each of the conventional therapies that you mention that may reduce your risk of side effects.

Meaning, for example, there are therapies for you to undergo with radiation that will reduce your risk of collateral damage. In addition, I encourage you to add evidence-based, anti-prostate cancer nutrition, supplementation, bone health and lifestyle therapies to your regimen.

I am both a cancer survivor and cancer coach. I work with cancer patients to research and design programs to manage their cancer based on their goals. You are relatively young as PCa patients go. You should be able to manage your cancer for years to come with minimal side effects.

What are your PSA and Gleason scores? Have you been given a stage?

Hang in there,

David Emerson

Hi Tanya-

I apologize for the slow reply. Major holidays slow my cancer coaching.

I am sorry to read of your DCIS. Keep in mind that many consider a diagnosis of DCIS to NOT be cancer but a sort of PRE-cancer. First and foremost you should know that you have already reduced your risk of a full BC diagnosis by changing your diet, exercising and losing 10 pounds. A growing number of studies document frequent, modest exercise and weight loss to be effective therapies for BC.

Regarding surgery. You are correct when you say that surgery has it’s own side effects. Any therapy after a diagnosis of DCIS should be able to slightly reduce your risk of BC. Slightly. Many women have a lumpectomy after a DCIS diagnosis. It is an open question as to whether further therapy will improve your risk/reward outcome.

Let me know if you have any questions.

David Emerson

Hi Monique-

I apologize for the slow reply. Major holidays always slow my cancer coaching. I am sorry to read of your dad’s EC diagnosis. I can provide evidence-based integrative and complementary therapies though it is difficult for me to know enough about your dad’s situation to be able to answer your question about his throat, cryoablation, etc. This is something his oncologist must speak to.

An example of an integrative therapy is curcumin in combination with the possible standard chemotherapy regimens cisplatin and 5-FU-

I encourage your dad to take integrative therapies for radiation as well. Let me know if you have any questions.

David Emerson

Hi Sarah,

I apologize for the tardy reply. I am sorry to read of your metastatic stage 4 colon cancer diagnosis. As for your question ” I was wondering if you had any ideas of what I should do as a last resort?” I would use every evidence-based therapy, conventional and non-conventional, that I could identify. For example, I would combine evidence-based integrative therapies with chemo in an effort to enhance the chemo while moderating its toxicity, I would pursue nutritional therapies, I would take supplements that have been shown to be cytotoxic to colon cancer, etc.

I too believe in natural therapies as they are non-toxic for the most part however keep in mind that your cancer is advanced enough that you many not have enough time to allow natural therapies to work.

The fact that you are young (18) can be viewed as a positive… sort of. Meaning your body should manage the shot gun approach I outline above. The older average cancer patient (65-70) cannot handle the rigors of cancer therapy generally speaking.

I am both a cancer survivor and cancer coach. I work with cancer patients to design therapy plans like the one I am advocating for you. Let me know if you have any questions.

Hang in there,

David Emerson

Hi Sarah-

I came across an article just now that may be of interest to you. I will link the article and also excerpt that content which I think applies to your. Keep in mind that your current oncologist/center may not provide this therapy. You may need to research those cancer centers that do provide this therapy. While you do not have “Peritoneal carcinomatosis” the therapy discussed below might be useful for you combined with nutrition, supplementation, lifestyle, etc. Again, you are young so go for it…

HIPEC in Colorectal Cancer With Peritoneal Carcinomatosis

“As CRS and HIPEC are still accumulating data, there are a limited number of clinical trials off which to base regimens. One study showed a median overall survival of 19.2 months in patients treated with CRS and HIPEC.4 The overall survival was increased to approximately 32 months when there was complete CRS. Another study demonstrated an overall median survival advantage when comparing CRS and HIPEC (22.3 months) to palliative surgery combined with systemic chemotherapy (12.6 months).5 A systematic review reported improved medial survival—33 vs 12.5 months—and 5-year survival—40% vs 13%—when comparing CRS and HIPEC to palliative surgery and systemic chemotherapy.6”

Let me know if you have any questions.

David Emerson

Hi Clement-

If I read your post correctly you are in favor of balancing quality with quantity of life. Meaning you do NOT want to undergo aggressive therapies and run the risk of short and long term side effects.

There are a host of evidence-based, non-toxic prostate cancer therapies. Yes, these therapies are slow acting compared to therapies such as radiation or prostate removal. But there are few if any side effects.

Further, there are evidence-based therapies that integrate with hormone therapy (androgen deprivation therapy). I understand your desire not to have another biopsy but you should keep an eye on your prostate cancer. How about another PSA test?

David Emerson

Hi Caroline-

I am sorry to read of your father’s metastatic PCa diagnosis. This is a long reply so be sure to ask me anything that you find confusing.

I’m not sure but I think you left out the word “not” in the sentence about pain relief and long-term prognosis. I will be direct. Once prostate cancer grows outside of a man’s prostate gland, there is no conventional curative therapy. The therapies prescribed for your dad, hormone, radiation, bisphophonates (bone strengthening) are all therapies that slow your dad’s PCa but they cannot cure it.

Keep in mind that while these therapies are designed to “give him great relief of pain” they will also give him short and long-term side effects. Hormone therapy is also called Androgen Deprivation Therapy. Radiation may cause damage to surrounding tissue.

I don’t know what the bone biopsy is for. I don’t believe his oncologist will not allow the above mentioned therapies to proceed if your dad does not have a BMB.

There are many evidence-based, yet non-conventional (not approved by the FDA) therapies for PCa and for bone pain. All are complimentary meaning that they will not interfere with his conventional therapies.

MR imaging-guided focused ultrasound for treatment of bone metastasis.

What stage does your dad live in? CBD oil has been shown to be cytotoxic (kill) PCa while giving pain relief and helping people sleep.

Let me know if you have any questions.

David Emerson
Cancer Survivor
Cancer Coach

Hi Terri-

I am sorry to read of your benign brain tumor. Good luck.

David Emerson

Hi Rosie-

If I understand you, your 3 year old son has optic nerve gliomas that are benign and not growing? If this is correct, yes, your efforts are in fact a victory in itself. By this I mean that conventional oncology has little to offer you. And you are managing your son’s situation successfully with non-toxic therapies. I know of no specific therapy for NF! gene mutation.

However I will say that I believe that genetic expression can be changes through diet, supplementation and lifestyle- like you are doing- aka epigenetic. Therefore you appear to be doing as much as possible in your situation.

I wish I could offer more info and therapies. Let me know if you have any questions.

David Emerson

Hi Derek-

I am sorry to say that I do not have an answer for you. I am not a medical doctor. Further, we have different rules here in the states.
I am sorry that I cannot be more help.

David Emerson

thank you

Thanks Mode-

Hi Ericka-

I am sorry to read of your HP. I am sorry for my tardy reply. Several points for you to consider in answer to your question “And now I am second guessing my self about radiotherapy (radiation) for the tumor bed. The questions is should I do this?”

I will link and excerpt a study below that pertains to your situation.
Hemangiopericytomas grade II are not benign tumors.

“With respect to the available literature and our own experiences, the aggressiveness, especially of differentiated grade II HPs, seems to be underestimated…”

“Complete surgical resection could be achieved in 60% of cerebral and in 25% of spinal HPs”

“in this study, we could not detect a single patient showing any recurrences or systemic metastases after complete surgical resection of grade II HPs..”

“With respect to our results, radical surgical resection offers the best treatment option to control tumor progress. In case of subtotal resection or histopathologically diagnosed anaplasia (WHO III), radiotherapy seems to be indicated; however, chemotherapy did not show effectiveness to control tumor progress.”

This study concludes that grade II HP’s that achieve COMPLETE resection did not benefit from chemo or radiation. Keep in mind that this is a rare cancer and this is a small study of a rare cancer.

There are evidence-based, non-conventional therapies that are cytotoxic to various cancers including brain cancers. I would have to research/look for for specific therapies for grade II HP however. I mention this because I pursue non-toxic to manage my own cancer. As a cancer coach I research non-toxic therapies for other cancers.

Let me know if you have any questions.

David Emerson

thanks

Hi Gurbackan-

Can you tell me which blood cancer you have been diagnosed with? Leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma?

David Emerson

HI Bob-

I am sorry to read of your MM diagnosis and therapy side effects. While MM is a complicated blood cancer you do have options- both conventional and non-conventional. It is difficult for me to list your options with pros and cons so I will list a few general areas for you to think about.

Conventional FDA approved chemotherapy regimes such as Velcade (the shot in the belly), Dexamethasone (the steroid), and Revlimid (pills)”

While conventional oncology works to adhere to “standard” regimens (cocktails) and doses, you to not have to only choose yes or no. For example if a dose of Revlimid of 10mg daily causes a negative reaction than you can lower the dose to 5 mg.

Evidence-based integrative therapies:

There are a number of well-researched, non-conventional therapies that have been shown to increase the efficacy of a specific chemo (Revlimid again) while reducing possible side effects.

Complementary therapies:

Frequent, moderate exercise is an excellent example of an anti-MM complimentary therapy. As a MMer myself I have researched and practice an anti-MM program daily, weekly, etc. All non-toxic. All based on research studies.

The blood test that you refer to is probably a serum protein electrophoresis- while your numbers increased a bit they are still low relatively speaking.

My overall point is that you can focus on both length of life and quality of life by combining conventional and non-conventional therapies.

If you would like to talk more please switch to my email address David.PeopleBeatingCancer@gmail.com– email is easier for communication.

David Emerson
MM Survivor, MM Cancer Coach

Hi Ron-

Yes, please keep me posted.

David Emerson

Is Mich short for Michelle?

HI Mich-

And I thought I had been through the cancer ringer. I am impressed with your survival history. I too get down sometimes. A pain in my lower back while getting out of bed will make me wonder if I have relapsed.

I too am a “need proof” person. While I live a non-FDA approved lifestyle every therapy I take is evidence-based. There is lots of research that supports various therapies that have nothing to do with the FDA.

Avastin is an anti-angiogenic chemotherapy. It is working. I believe that you should focus on this therapy. I follow an anti-angiogenic lifestyle through nutrition, supplementation, lifestyle and mind-body therapies. The mind-body therapies aren’t anti-angiogenic…

An example of an anti-angiogenic therapy that is non-toxic is curcumin. Curcumin is anti-angiogenic and is synergistic with avastin.

I am both a long-term cancer survivor and cancer coach. I work with patients and survivors to research and design evidence-based, non-conventional programs to manage their cancer.

Let me know if you would like to learn more about cancer coaching. Hang in there.

Avastin

David Emerson

Hi 63 year of male-

I am sorry to read of your PCa diagnosis. Do you have a question?

David Emerson

Hi Jerry-

If I understand your email, your dad’s recommended therapy for stage 2 bladder cancer was Radical cystectomy (bladder removal). Due to the condition of your dad’s heart function, his cardiologist has recommended against bladder removal surgery. You don’t like the chemotherapy option and are looking for other options/therapies for your dad’s bladder cancer?

The key issue for you and your dad is what his oncologist meant when he talked about “chemo” as a therapy. The study linked below refers to two different chemo cocktails. As you will read, both cocktails are valid treatments for your dad’s cancer. However, there are different integrative therapies available depending on which chemo your dad has.

An example of an integrative therapy would be a chemo drug called cisplatin and an antioxidant called curcumin. Integrative therapies will enhance the effectiveness of the chemo regimens (depending on which chemo you choose) as well as reduce the toxicity which is important for your dad.

Curcumin reduces cisplatin-induced neurotoxicity in NGF-differentiated PC12 cells.

Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy for Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer: A Systemic Review and Two-Step Meta-Analysis.

Let me know if you have any questions.

David Emerson

Hi Bella-

My apologies for this tardy reply. I am sorry to read of your cancer diagnosis. Personally I don’t believe oncologists should give dire prognoses. I was told I was terminal in 1997. Boy was she wrong…

Ironically, by giving you a grim prognosis your oncologist may have done you a favor. It meant that the standard of care techniques for your cancer and stage would not have resulted in a positive outcome.

As the two articles linked below indicate, a combination of intravenous vitamin C therapy and deep tissue hyperthermia may result in the positive outcome that you are looking for.

Your challenge will be 1) to find those cancer centers that have expertise in these two therapies and 2) getting your health insurance to pay for these therapies.

According to my research Mistletoe helps people cope with side effects more than it actually fights cancer.

I am both a long-time cancer survivor and cancer coach. My value would be in finding institutions with the experience you are looking for as well as researching and presenting those evidence-based therapies that are cytotoxic to cervical cancer. Among other therapies I will recommend anti-angiogenic nutrition, supplementation, anti-cancer lifestyle therapies and mind-body therapies.

Let me know if you would like to learn more about Cancer Coaching. Hang in there,

David Emerson

Intravenous Vit. C and chemotherapy

Cervical cancer: radiotherapy and hyperthermia.

HI Eric-

Several things. First of all, I need a little more time to research your questions. I am amazed that you are doing as well as you are considering your original diagnosis. Next, you know that I am not a certified onc. I am a knowledgable cancer survivor but not an oncologist of any kind. Lastly, what were the names of the chemotherapies that you underwent?

Yes, you should get a second opinion- ideally from an oncologist who will understand you cancer and your therapies. And yes, I will give you a different kind of second opinion. Get both.

This may be a stupid question but are the “handful of tumors on both SIDES of the liver” on the outside of the liver? Is so why can’t the onc. cut them out with regular surgical techniques?

I will do some more research. Please answer the questions above.

thanks

David Emerson

Hi Nora-

I am sorry to read of your ovarian cancer diagnosis. If I read your comments as well as the study excerpted below I believe your risk of relapse is extremely low. Further, it doesn’t seem as though chemotherapy will reduce the risk of relapse enough to offset the collateral damage aka side effects.

When you say “I want to go alternative ways…” I take you to mean that you want to undergo non-toxic or “natural” therapies that will both enhance your immune health while reduce your risks of relapse? I couldn’t tell if you were serious when you said “lucky, huh?” But in a way, you may be lucky. The clean living you follow in the coming years, if you choose to, may result in a better, longer life…

If this is the case then you can research and undergo those therapies that you believe will help you or you can follow those nutritional, supplement-based, lifestyle and mind-body therapies that I research and present to you. I say “present” because I try not to tell cancer patients what to do. I present studies and make recommendations based on research and my own experience as a long-term cancer survivor and you then decide what is best for you.

I am both a long-term cancer survivor who lives an anti-cancer lifestyle based on my research, as well as a cancer coach. Let me know if you would like to learn more about my cancer coaching.

Thanks,

David Emerson

Prognostic Factors in Patients With Stage I Epithelial Ovarian Cancer.

“We analyzed factors predictive of relapse risk in patients with stage I invasive epithelial ovarian cancer: 252 patients from the Princess Margaret Hospital provided a data base for hypothesis generation, and data on 267 patients from the Norwegian Radium Hospital were used for hypothesis testing. The outcomes in most analyses in the two series were very similar, validating the following conclusions. Differentiation (grade) was the most powerful predictor of relapse, followed by dense adherence (which resulted in outcomes equivalent to those in stage II) and, finally, large-volume ascites. When the effects of these three factors were accounted for, then none of the following were prognostic: bilaterality (stage Ib), cyst rupture (stage Ic), capsular penetration (stage Ic), tumor size, histologic subtype, patient age, year of diagnosis, and postoperative therapy. These results allow simplification of stage I substaging, as only differentiation, dense adherence, and large-volume ascites (? peritoneal cytology) need be considered. The 5-year relapse-free rate was 98% in patients with grade 1 tumors in whom both dense adherence and large-volume ascites were absent. These patients are adequately treated by operation alone. Although the relapse risk was high enough in the remaining patients to warrant postoperative treatment, a significant benefit could be shown only for a small subset of patients, namely those with densely adherent tumors treated with abdominopelvic radiotherapy. In grades 2 and 3, none of the therapies used in either series was superior to pelvic radiotherapy or operation alone.”

HI Stephanie-

Your choices of therapies be they conventional or non-conventional, will be based somewhat on your stage and symptoms. In other words I need to know more about your NHL situation to do more research and to then give you some choices. You are way ahead of the game currently simply by being young and otherwise healthy.

What stage are you based on your relapse? What, if any symptoms are you experiencing?

thanks

David Emerson

Hi Julie-

I am sorry to read of your TNBC diagnosis. To confirm, your triple negative BC was localized aka no node involvement? You had 4 time dose dense adriamycin and cytoxan? And after the third round of paclitaxel you developed pneumonia and are on hold?

Yes, I have several suggestions. Before I begin, I am going to have to be honest with you. Julie, you have undergone a TREMENDOUS amount of chemotherapy aka toxicity. I know that at 48 your are pretty young as cancer patients go but jeez. Understand that my perspective and experience is that of a long-term cancer survivor who has experienced many long-term and late stage side effects from my own chemo years ago.

My approach as a cancer coach is to manage chemo toxicity where ever and when ever possible. Meaning, if you choose to continue with paclitaxel I would suggest taking those non-toxic interegrative therapies that studies have shown enhance the efficacy while reducing toxicity of paclitaxel. I will link an example below.

Your other option is based on the idea that your oncologists are giving you so much chemotherapy because TNBC relapses more often than other forms of BC do. The trouble is, as I see it, by giving you so much chemo NOW, your TNBC may become chemo resistant, giving you no options later.

There are are many evidence-based BC supplements that are cytoxic to BC. I believe your therapy plan should include anti-BC nutrition, supplementation, lifestyle (yes moderate but frequent exercise for example) and even mind-body therapies. My cancer is different from your but I do all the above and I have been in CR since 1999. Myeloma survivors (my cancer) learn to live with their cancer for years. Please read the article about this idea in the medscape article below.

An Evolutionary Approach: Learning to Live With Cancer

Potentiation of paclitaxel activity by curcumin in human breast cancer cell by modulating apoptosis and inhibiting EGFR signaling.
“Overall, our data described the promising therapeutic potential and underlying mechanisms of combining paclitaxel with curcumin in treating breast cancer.”

Julie, I am a long term cancer survivor and cancer coach. Let me know if you would like to learn more about cancer coaching for you.

thanks and hang in there,

David Emerson

Hi Jeff-

I am sorry to read of your metastatic kidney cancer. However I have to say you are doing everything I know of to reduce the spot in your lung? And a relapse of kidney cancer too.

Your questions “do you see any health benefits in adding flaxseed to my diet? What other additions or deletions would you suggest?” Flax seed is another form of omega 3 fatty acids. Since you are already taking fish oil I don’t see the need to take more.

According to the study linked below, yes, omega 3 fatty acids reduce the risk of kidney cancer (scroll down about half way…)

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2863302/

In order to speak to adding or deleting any of the supplements that you are currently taking I would have to research each. However I take most every supplement you mention so my guess would be that each provides some anti cancer benefit.

Let me know if you have any questions.

David Emerson

Hi Michael-

Without knowing too much about your case I have to agree with your urologist that observation is the best path for you at this point.

Regarding your question “QUESTION: SHOULD I CONSIDER PROTON THERAPY INSTEAD OF SURGERY?” Please consider the issues below-

1) if by “surgery” you mean a complete prostatectomy or removal of the prostate, please understand the risks of urinary incontinence (about 50%) and erectile disfunction (again about 50%). How old are you? Do you live in a state where medical marijuana is legal? CBD oil has been shown to by cytotoxic to prostate cancer.

2) Radiation can be a possible therapy, again, if you understand the risk of side effects and take steps to minimize them.

3) most importantly, please consider undergoing non-toxic therapies that studies have shown reduce your risks of prostate cancer. Please read the links below.

1) Green Tea Extract-

Green tea polyphenols for prostate cancer chemoprevention: A translational perspective

2) Curcumin-

Curcumin-based anti-prostate cancer agents.

3) Vitamin D3

Vitamin D for the Management of Prostate Cancer

4) Milk Thistle-

Milk thistle and prostate cancer: differential effects of pure flavonolignans from Silybum marianum on antiproliferative end points in human prostate carcinoma cells.

Let me know if you have any questions.

David Emerson

Hi Karen- I am in the process of replying to you now-

David

Hi Karen-

I am not an expert on pediatric pre-B ALL so this is my opinion as an long-term cancer survivor of an adult blood cancer. I believe you have reason to be scared.

My experience with conventional oncology is that specific protocols have been tested and approved by the FDA. Only by following the protocol for pediatric B ALL are the oncologists able to be relatively sure of the outcome. This outcome is a long-term remission I assume.

Yes, “intense treatment” of chemotherapy will increase the documented risks of late-stage and long term collateral damage. I cannot sugar coat this as I myself suffer from long-term and late stage side effects from my own therapy in ’95-’97.

I will say however that I follow a regimen of non-toxic therapies that research shows will reduce the risk of relapse or manage my side effects. In other words, there are a variety of non-toxic therapies that your son can undergo once his active therapies stop.

Let me know if you have any questions.

David Emerson

Hi Shona-

I am sorry to read of your mom’s stage 4 BC relapse. Triple Negative BC is difficult because it relapses more than other cancers. Once BC relapses it cannot be cured.

However I would like to present an approach to managing your mom’s cancer that is common with my cancer, multiple myeloma but NOT common with your mom’s cancer. Since it is difficult to discuss complicated therapies in emails, I hope that you will ask me lots of questions in future emails.

Did your mom have a chemotherapy called paclitaxel when she was first diagnosed with BC? The article linked below talks about controling your mom’s cancer with a series of low-dose administrations of paclitaxel.

An Evolutionary Approach: Learning to Live With Cancer

Further, the study linked below talks about how an antioxidant called curcumin ENHANCES the efficacy of paclitaxel.

Liposomal co-delivery of curcumin and albumin/paclitaxel nanoparticle for enhanced synergistic antitumor efficacy.

At the same time your mom undergoes low-dose paclitaxel and curcumin I would like you to consider having your mom also undergoing several non-toxic therapies shown to also fight triple negative breast cancer.

Shona, I was told I was terminal in 1997. Had I listened to my oncologist at the time I would be dead now. Please don’t listen only to your mom’s oncologist.

Let me know what you think.

David Emerson
Cancer Survivor and Cancer Coach

Hi Alex,

I agree that there are non-toxic therapies to undergo before chemo and radiation. However I also recommend integrative therapies to those cancer patients I cancer coach. In other words, my research and personal experience has taught me that both enhancing chemo/radiation while reducing collateral damage aka side effects of toxic therapies should be a cancer patient’s primary focus.

Thanks and hang in there,

David Emerson
Long-term Cancer Survivor and Cancer Coach

Hi Scott-

I have to be honest with you. Your diagnosis of two types of leukemia is complicated enough that it is over my head. My experience would say that a ketogenic diet, coffee enemas, etc. are excellent forms of therapy. However, I just don’t have any experience with a person with two leukemias.

If, as you say you feel as if you are getting the ET under control and then if the CLL is stage 0 then I think you are doing well. I am not surprised that you are confused. Blood cancers are complicated.

David Emerson

Hi Eileen-

I am sorry to read of your colon cancer diagnosis. Cancer therapies are based on cancer diagnoses- a certain therapy for stage 1, stage 2, etc. If a cancer is contained in an organ such as your colon, then it is contained and may not required therapy beyond surgery. Once a cancer shows up outside an organ, in a lymph node for instance, it means that the cancer has spread.

The bad news is that your cancer has spread beyond your colon. The good news is that there are non-toxic therapies that work to enhance and or reduce the toxicity of whatever chemotherapy you undergo. An example would be a common chemotherapy for colon cancer called 5-fu (5-fluorouracil) and the integrative therapy would be curcumin-

Curcumin mediates chemosensitization to 5-fluorouracil through miRNA-induced suppression of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in chemoresistant colorectal cancer.

Those two therapies are examples but there are others. Keep in mind that there are other completementary therapies that studies have show to reduce the side effects of chemotherapy.

My point is that chemotherapy does not need to by a toxic, side effect causing horror show. I’m not saying that integrative/complementary therapies make chemo easy. I’m saying that there is a middle ground.

If you would like to learn more please ask your oncologist what chemotherapy regimen he/she recommends for you. I will research integrative therapies for you to consider.

Let me know if you have any questions.

David Emerson
Cancer Survivor, Cancer Coach

Hi Venessa-

I am sorry to read of your grand daughter’s health challenges. While I have some understanding as to how complicated and difficult your decision-making must be I am afraid I am not experienced enough with pediatric blood cancers to offer any help.

Good luck,

David Emerson

please let me know if you need any more info – thanks

Hi Adele-

I am sorry to read of your mother’s metastatic cervical cancer. Since you expressed interest in the Holt Cancer Therapy and since you sound like you live in England, I have linked the Holt Foundation below. If you go to the website you can get the address and phone number of the foundation in Warrenton, England.

If you choose not to pursue the Holt therapy I can research and provide anti-colon therapies to include nutrition, supplementation, lifestyle and mind-body therapies all evidence based, researched to confirm they are cytotoxic (kill) colon cancer. I am a cancer coach as well as a long-term cancer survivor.

http://www.jhcancersupport.com

Thanks and give my best to your mom.

David Emerson

Hi Kim-

I am sorry to read of your fiancee’s cancer diagnosis. If I read your email correctly, the cancer began in his esophagus and metastasized (spread) to one of his adrenal glands.

If the above it true then your situation is rare. Your fiancee is relatively young compared to the average cancer survivor and therefore has a lot to live for. However, the two of you may want unbiased support in thinking through the decisions you will face in the days and weeks ahead.

I am not experienced in this type of cancer. I do however encourage you to get a second opinion. Let me know if you have any questions.

David Emerson

Hi Deb-

Please let me know if you are diagnosed with lung cancer. While phytoplankton, blue green algae, etc. are important immune boosting superfoods, there are supplements that research has shown to be cytotoxic to lung cancer. An example is milk thistle/silibinin.

While I understand not wanting to undergo traditional chemotherapy of any kind please understand that there are many integrative therapies that can both enhance the efficacy of a chemotherapy while reducing its toxicity.

Negative review of UMAC CORE

My point is that you need to know your opinions to make the best decisions.

Let me know if I can help.

Hang in there,

David Emerson

Hi Anne-

I am sorry to read of your mom’s cancer diagnosis. Without a specific diagnosis (brain cancer or lymphoma) it is difficult for me to give you any advice. I don’t believe there is any curative therapy available to you. Therefore your focus should be on quality of life-in my opinion.

I will not speak to you as a cancer coach but as a son/caregiver. If it was my mom I would work to do three things.

First of all, radiation is debilitating even to young people. I would try to boost her energy and immune system in every way. Healthy foods, immune boosting non-conventional therapies, restful sleep (melatonin), mild exercise if possible (walks around the block?). Lifestyle therapies.

Secondly I would learn about and pursue palliative therapy for my mom. There are physicians who specialize in managing the side effects of cancer. This is NOT hospice though you may need hospice care at some point. A growing number of studies show that early palliative care can result in longer lives.

Lastly I would try to figure out how my mom wanted to spend her time. I don’t think most people want to specifically talk about “end of life” pursuits but this is what I am thinking about. It might be as simple as spending time with family and friends. It might be something like talking to a sister or family member that your mom had a falling out with a long time ago.

Anne, I’ve worked with people who push toxic therapies on the parents they are caregiving in the hope for a “cure.” While I understand the desire or intention, I know enough about cancer to understand the limits of conventional cancer care. Aggressive treatment is highly toxic.

I hope this helps. Let me know if you have any questions.

David Emerson

Hi Jerry-

I am sorry to read of your wife’s metastatic colon cancer. Your wife’s health and active lifestyle should help her in the coming weeks and months.

I will be direct. I encourage you and your wife to take an integrative approach to her therapy. This means that she take supplements that research has shown can enhance her chemo and radiation while reducing its toxicity.

An example would be “integrative” therapy for a possible colon cancer chemotherapy called 5-FU.

Curcumin Chemosensitizes 5-Fluorouracil Resistant MMR-Deficient Human Colon Cancer Cells in High Density Cultures

Chemotherapy and radiation are needed to attack an advanced cancer and stage such as colon cancer stage 4. Yet, with out integrative therapies the toxicity that you wife endures will be difficult.

I would also recommend anti-angiogenic nutrition, lifestyle therapies and mind-body therapies, again, all evidence-based.

Let me know if you have any questions.

David Emerson

Hi Nancy-

I am sorry to learn of your original BC diagnosis and doubly sorry to learn of either your BC metastasis (spread to your lung/colon) or secondary cancers. The good news is that the colon and lung cancers appear to be contained.

Since you asked, I will give you my thoughts. In short, you have a lot of work to do. It is my belief that you will need to employ both conventional (FDA approved) and non-conventional therapies in order to maintain the highest quality of life while you work for the greatest length of life. Any cancer can be curable.

As you can see from the links below, you have lots of information to consider.

I am both a long-term cancer survivor of an “incurable cancer” and a cancer coach. I can help you figure out your options. Yes, I ask for a reasonable donation to PeopleBeatingCancer, a 501c3 non-profit. This is a tax deductible donation and is fully refundable.

Beat cancer with 35% hydrogen peroxide

Is Alkaline Water Extra Healthy or a Hoax?

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

David Emerson

Hi Chris-

I am sorry to read of your wife’s NSCLC diagnosis. It is good to read, however that she is responding to DNA targeting therapy. I understand that conventional oncology does not have therapy that is curative for your wife but as a person who was also told he was terminal (in ’97), I believe that it is important to research and identify non-conventional (non FDA) evidence-based therapies.

Intravenous vitamin c therapy is one such therapy. Yes, there are studies citing its success yet it has not been approved by the FDA. The clinic that provides int. vit. c therapy will determine the doses for your wife based on her weight.

Anti-lung cancer supplementation, nutrition, lifestyle therapies, mind-body therapies, should all have a place in your wife’s treatment. I am a cancer coach who has been providing this type of research to hundred’s of cancer patients for years.

Let me know if you have any questions.

David Emerson

Hi Flora-

I am sorry to read that your breast cancer has metastasized to your bones. I don’t mean to sound alarmist in any way but I encourage you to think beyond conventional oncology. I do not mean for you should chase therapies that are not evidence-based. I will offer therapies and studies below.

My primary suggestion is that you take an “integrative” approach to your treatment. Supplement with those antioxidants that studies have shown will enhance chemotherapy (taxol in this case) while reducing its toxicity. An example of this integrative approach to taxol (paclitaxel) would be curcumin.

Paclitaxel-sensitization enhanced by curcumin involves down-regulation of nuclear factor-κB and Lin28 in Hep3B cells.

Further, please learn about and consider anti-BC lifestyle, nutrition, and mind-body therapies. Again, those supported by studies. I can send you information about all the above. I am a long-term cancer survivor myself and coach cancer patients. Yes, I charge money but the registration fee modest ($149) and is a tax-deductible donation to PeopleBeatingCancer, a registered 501c3 nonprofit. The fee is one time only and is fully refundable.

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

David Emerson
Cancer Survivor, Cancer Coach

HI Kimberly-

I am sorry to learn of your breast cancer diagnosis. While I agree with your staging of 3A your diagnostic specifics (tumor size, lymph node involvement) indicate that you are early or just barely 3A. Yes, you have a significant risk of recurrence but with the right multimodal mix of therapies you will greatly reduce your chances of relapse.

Chemo and radiation are toxic therapies and will lead to side effects if you do not learn about integrative therapies to both enhance efficacy and reduce toxicity.

Examples of integrative therapies for a typical breast cancer chemotherapy, docetaxel for instance, is curcumin.

Phase I dose escalation trial of docetaxel plus curcumin in patients with advanced and metastatic breast cancer.

In addition I recommend evidence-based nutritional, anti-BC supplementation, anti-BC lifestyle therapies- all evidence-based meaning all these therapies have been researched and provide studies to read.

My point Kimberly, is that your oncologists and naturopath are correct. Your stage does have a high risk of relapse. That is why I am encouraging you to include those therapies that studies have shown are cytotoxic to breast cancer and reduce the risk of relapse.

Let me know if you have any questions.

thanks and hang in there,

David Emerson
Cancer Survivor, Cancer Coach

Hi Frank,

I will be direct with you. I am a cancer coach. Your situation is complex. Not impossible but there is a lot to do.

I am sorry to read of your prostate cancer (PCa) diagnosis but I am glad to read that you have responded so well to Degarelix. I agree that you should avoid the toxicity of chemotherapy “at all costs” but keep in mind that your options will be limited with a diagnosis of metastasized prostate cancer.

My point is that you may want to throw all evidence-based therapies at your cancer as you can in an effort to live as long and as well as you can. In my experience, the spectrum of therapies can include chemo, nutrition, non-toxic supplementation, and maybe even some careful local radiation.

Since you are currently undergoing a chemo treatment your next steps are to:

1) Understand the possible FDA approved chemotherapies for PCa- Docetaxel (Taxotere) Cabazitaxel (Jevtana) Mitoxantrone (Novantrone)
Estramustine (Emcyt) for example. All have strengths and weaknesses. All cause short, long-term and possibly late stage side effects. Understanding the possible side effects will enable you to take therapies to either reduce or prevent the collateral damage caused by a specific chemotherapy. An example would be the peripheral neuropathy (tingling, burning) caused by taxotere. Supplementing with omega 3 fatty acids may reduce or eliminates the damaging affects of taxotere.

2) Understand those therapies that are “integrative” to those FDA approved anti-PCa chemo therapies. An example would be the supplement curcumin enhancing taxotere (docletaxel).

3) Understand those non-conventional therapies that studies have shown are cytotoxic (kill) PCa. An example would be green tea extract

4) Understand anti-PCA nutritional therapies- again evidence-based.

5) Understanding those lifestyle based therapies that either promote bone health or are cytotoxic to PCa.

6) Understanding evidence-based mind-body therapies that are anti-cancer. These therapies may seem a bit touchy-feely to some people but my role as cancer coach is to do the research, present the information to you and let you decide.

If you would like evidence-based research about the above therapies please consider hiring me as your cancer coach. To learn more go to-

PeopleBeatingCancerCoaching.org

Let me know if you have any questions.

thanks and hang in there,

David Emerson

Hi Karen-

Your question ” lumpectomey and lymph nodes removed everything looks good…Is there stilll a need for radiation?” continues to be debated. My personal belief is that local radiation causes as many risks as benefits. But I am not a BC survivor so I can’t say. Please consider having an Oncotype DX assay performed. You will receive a score that will help you decide whether or not to undergo local radiation.

Oncotype DX for DCIS

Please consider undergoing those antioxidant supplements, anti-angiogenic nutritional and lifestyle therapies that studies have shown reduce the risk of breast cancer relapse.

David Emerson
Survivor, Cancer Coach

Hi Pat-

I am sorry to read of your cancer. I’m not sure what you are asking me. Yes, I can research and identify US clinics that administer therapies such as Insulin Potentiation Therapy (IPT). The first step however is for you to consider those conventional and non-conventional therapies to help you manage your cancer.

In order to provide this information I need to know what cancer and stage you have been diagnosed with/at. Let me know if you want to talk further.

thanks,

David Emerson
Survivor, Cancer Coach

Hi Eugene-

When you say “prostate of 17 count.” I will assume that you mean you PSA test (prostate specific antigen) indicated a score of 17. The 3 forum post linked below convey that this PSA level is high but not that high.

When you say that a “biopsy shows cancer” it’s important to note two things. First, most of us over the age of 50 have some cancer growing inside our prostates. Second, the issue then is 1) how MUCH cancer is inside your prostate and 2) how FAST is the cancer growing.

To determine how much cancer and how fast is your cancer growing, your physician should be able to tell you how many of the cores taken during your biopsy showed cancer. For example, if half of the cores taken during your biopsy showed cancer then your cancer is half as big as your prostate.

To speak to your question about herbals, yes there are many non-conventional therapies, including herbal supplements that studied show slow or kill prostate cancer. Further, there are studies that also cite anti-prostate cancer nutrition and lifestyle therapies to also kill cancer.

Eugene, please understand that there will be considerable collateral damage caused by prostatectomy (prostate removal) and radiation. Permanent damage such as urinary incontinence and or erectile disfunction among others.

The issue then, is to balance your risks with potential side effects. If you can tell me how many “cores” showed cancer I can provide studies that will offer several different therapies to you all that have different levels of risks/ collateral damage.

If the amount of cancer that is in your prostate then you can watch and wait and undergo non-conventional therapies such as herbal therapies, antioxidant supplements, nutrition and lifestyle supplements.

My point is that I will provide studies so that you and your wife can make the decisions.

Let me know what you think. David Emerson

Others who have PSA of 17