So this morning I went to see a naturapath on the Gold Coast. My initial reasons for this was that I just want to be healthy, and I hope to lose some weight. My biggest fear is that the cancer will appear somewhere else in my body. As we talked she began speaking about how we can manifest things in our body, and how breast cancer is a sign of someone who cares too much about everyone else, and does not give enough love to herself. I burst into tears, this was me! But could I really create the cancer in my body? My blood scan showed signs that my immune system is fighting "something". So now I'm worried about what it's fighting, my double mastectomy happened 5 weeks ago, so I would hope that my body is still recovering. My Iridology was interesting, showing signs of stress, which apparently is not a good factor in relation to cancer either. So I'm interested to hear of anyone's experiences with a naturapath. Don't get me wrong I'm keen to continue, I feel like its time to give my body a helping hand, but how far do I take it? Thanks for listening. Jo xx

I think we all experience the fear that the cancer will appear elsewhere in our bodies and that we all explore different avenues to prevent it. What is right for one is not always right for another, it is a very individual journey. I have read alot and have put alot of the advice into practice both mentally and physically. I eat organic foods. I have eliminated dairy from my diet. I juice daily. I am learning to meditate (most useful when you want to disappear from chemo for a while). I have a weekly massage. Will it help my recovery? I hope so. If nothing else I feel better. I have spoken with my Oncologist at every point. I have spoken to the pharmacist as well to make sure I am not doing anything that will hinder the effectiveness of the chemo. For example during Epi I was advised not to take chamomile tea, fish oil or vit C. As they are anti-inflammatory and have been noted to affect the Epi. As for the stress causing the cancer. From what I have read there is a theory that whilst your body is coping with stress from living (be it intense living, grief, trauma etc) a cell "slips a stitch" then when this cell multiplies because the body hasnt destroyed the original, the multiples are recognised as OK. Thus mutant cells cluster and cancer is formed. Did you cause it, no. It is a natural process go astray. In some instances this is how we evolve. In this instance it is a bummer. As to whether you are under stress now. I would speculate you are. Major trauma of diagnosis, then surgery and now treatment. All adds up. If the naturapath will help you, I think you should explore it and use what you want. What you are comfortable with. Be gentle on yourself. Take care.

Hi Jo I too saw a naturopath renowned for dealing with cancer patients, in Kirra. At first I started changing my diet over to raw foods and eliminated a lot of other stuff. I also took a myriad of supplements. I felt and looked great (so everyone told me). I found it hard to keep up during treatment however and went back to my usual eating habits. I kept up the supplements to a degree. Am going back to see her next week to refocus. My advice is to take on what you can cope with and maybe change one thing at a time rather than a lot at once (does that make sense?). As for the stress I believe it's a huge factor and anything we can do to eliminate it is worthwhile. Unfortunately life circumstances don't always make this possible. I've had a few massages and am trying reiki next week. Good luck. Tammy

Thanks for the reply. I was just wondering why you have gone dairy free? Hope you don't mind me asking. I have been lactose intolerant for the last 5 years, but I wasn't very strict with it. My blood test showed allergies still floating around so that was advised, to go dairy free. I think I can do that as I'm half way there already, it's the gluten free she advised that I'm finding harder. Jo x

Ask away, no question is a silly question. I have read in various sources of literature about the link between breast cancer and dairy. The literature has scientific research at its heart. One of the studies was of cancer types and clustering in Asian countries. Where dairy was not consumed as part of the common diet there is no breast cancer. Where dairy is now being consumed as the people adopt a "western" diet there is a significant increase in breast and prostate cancer. In another when they put dairy next to breast cancer cells in a petri dishes, the cancer multiplied extremely rapidly. The theory is the hormones and proteins in dairy stimulate the cancer. During my reading I came across Professor Jane Plant. A breast cancer survivor of 16 years. Her story is quite amazing. Basically she had a double masectomy, chemo, radiation and then had more chemo and radiation when she got secondaries. When the fifth secondary appeared she was told to go home and settle her affairs. Instead she went home and as a scientist thought she should at least use her knowledge to help other BC sufferers. What happened was that she healed herself in the process. Integral to her health is a dairy free diet. So I figured why not? If you are interested her books are available in hard copy or as ebooks. I have Your life in your hands, The Plant Programme and Eating for Better Health. I have found them easy to read. There are many other books that advocate similar choices. I happen to understand and like this one. I must say though, that I have found that during my first few chemos when I had dairy or bread I got a bloated stomach. So the dairy free diet is twofold for me, instant relief and hopefully prolonged health. I feel well when I don't have diary now. I can tell when I do. Preservative free bread or flat breads tend to not be too bad, so I have adapted my diet with these. I have to put my hand up and say I was a BIG dairy consumer. Milk and cheese my two biggest indulgences. I feel better as a result of the dietary changes. Not everyone will agree with it, but thats OK. Hope this answers your query.

Naturopathy | BCNA Online Network

11 Replies

Maria333
Member
13 years ago
I have found this all to be very interesting.

We each have our own journey - I am so pleased we can ask questions on this amazing site and are offered much guidance. I suggest you always check with your oncologist. After all that is the person who has specialised in treating you in your cancer journey. My naturopath checked with my oncologist.

Men get breast cancer too.

I have discovered, so far - yoga nidra (a form of mindfulness meditation), yin yoga ( a slow gentle practice all on the floor) and now on my way to being a reiki practitioner - all through my cancer journey.

As bmc says - any relationship that does not honor your life in a positive way - pfft gone.

Serenity11 - I am going to get me that book. Thank you.

All the very best

Maria333
Janet_Plummer
Member
13 years ago
Just one more thing about breast cancer being caused by "caring too much. Don't you think it's interesting that it's women that get told this kind of twaddle. I bet men with prostrate cancer or testicular cancer are not told that it was caused by them being too aggressive or not valuing their masculinity enough or any other such tripe. Just another example of blaming the victim. And sexist, misogynist rubbish to boot! (Sorry, I just had to get that off my chest.)
Janet_Plummer
Member
13 years ago
Just one more thing about breast cancer being caused by "caring too much. Don't you think it's interesting that it's women that get told this kind of twaddle. I bet men with prostrate cancer or testicular cancer are not told that it was caused by them being too aggressive or not valuing their masculinity enough or any other such tripe. Just another example of blaming the victim. And sexist, misogynist rubbish to boot! (Sorry, I just had to get that off my chest.)
Mary993
Member
13 years ago
Great comment bmc. If a naturopath told me such twaddle I would never go back. Who needs such negativity - same goes for saying your body is fighting something, that doesnt seem to me to be a helpful comment.
bmc
Member
13 years ago
I fail to see why a naturopath, or anybody else who doesn't have a close relationship with you, would make such harsh judgments about you. Being "too nice" is a completely subjective appraisal, more of a problem for the naturopath to examine her/his reason for saying such a thing.

I once was told that my (benign) lump was a consequence of over-mothering my daughters. I think it had a lot more to do with being inclined to benign tumours and full of oestrogen (confirmed by my surgeon) and also by my HER2 status, discovered subsequent to mastectomy in 2011.

Subtle forms of bullying are all around us. My motto is that life is for loving, supporting, having fun, turning up for appointments, and leaving behind relationships of any kind that don't honour my life in positive ways.
bmc
Member
13 years ago
I fail to see why a naturopath, or anybody else who doesn't have a close relationship with you, would make such harsh judgments about you. Being "too nice" is a completely subjective appraisal, more of a problem for the naturopath to examine her/his reason for saying such a thing.

I once was told that my (benign) lump was a consequence of over-mothering my daughters. I think it had a lot more to do with being inclined to benign tumours and full of oestrogen (confirmed by my surgeon) and also by my HER2 status, discovered subsequent to mastectomy in 2011.

Subtle forms of bullying are all around us. My motto is that life is for loving, supporting, having fun, turning up for appointments, and leaving behind relationships of any kind that don't honour my life in positive ways.
serenity11
Member
13 years ago
Ask away, no question is a silly question. I have read in various sources of literature about the link between breast cancer and dairy. The literature has scientific research at its heart. One of the studies was of cancer types and clustering in Asian countries. Where dairy was not consumed as part of the common diet there is no breast cancer. Where dairy is now being consumed as the people adopt a "western" diet there is a significant increase in breast and prostate cancer. In another when they put dairy next to breast cancer cells in a petri dishes, the cancer multiplied extremely rapidly. The theory is the hormones and proteins in dairy stimulate the cancer.

During my reading I came across Professor Jane Plant. A breast cancer survivor of 16 years. Her story is quite amazing. Basically she had a double masectomy, chemo, radiation and then had more chemo and radiation when she got secondaries. When the fifth secondary appeared she was told to go home and settle her affairs.   Instead she went home and as a scientist thought she should at least use her knowledge to help other BC sufferers. What happened was that she healed herself in the process.    Integral to her health is a dairy free diet. So I figured why not?

If you are interested her books are available in hard copy or as ebooks. I have Your life in your hands, The Plant Programme and Eating for Better Health. I have found them easy to read. There are many other books that advocate similar choices. I happen to understand and like this one.

I must say though, that I have found that during my first few chemos when I had dairy or bread I got a bloated stomach.    So the dairy free diet is twofold for me, instant relief and hopefully prolonged health. I feel well when I don't have diary now. I can tell when I do. Preservative free bread or flat breads tend to not be too bad, so I have adapted my diet with these. I have to put my hand up and say I was a BIG dairy consumer. Milk and cheese my two biggest indulgences.

I feel better as a result of the dietary changes. Not everyone will agree with it, but thats OK.   Hope this answers your query.
Balijo
Member
13 years ago
Thanks for the reply. I was just wondering why you have gone dairy free? Hope you don't mind me asking. I have been lactose intolerant for the last 5 years, but I wasn't very strict with it. My blood test showed allergies still floating around so that was advised, to go dairy free. I think I can do that as I'm half way there already, it's the gluten free she advised that I'm finding harder. Jo x
tammyp26
Member
13 years ago
Hi Jo I too saw a naturopath renowned for dealing with cancer patients, in Kirra. At first I started changing my diet over to raw foods and eliminated a lot of other stuff. I also took a myriad of supplements. I felt and looked great (so everyone told me). I found it hard to keep up during treatment however and went back to my usual eating habits. I kept up the supplements to a degree. Am going back to see her next week to refocus. My advice is to take on what you can cope with and maybe change one thing at a time rather than a lot at once (does that make sense?). As for the stress I believe it's a huge factor and anything we can do to eliminate it is worthwhile. Unfortunately life circumstances don't always make this possible. I've had a few massages and am trying reiki next week. Good luck. Tammy
tammyp26
Member
13 years ago
Hi Jo I too saw a naturopath renowned for dealing with cancer patients, in Kirra. At first I started changing my diet over to raw foods and eliminated a lot of other stuff. I also took a myriad of supplements. I felt and looked great (so everyone told me). I found it hard to keep up during treatment however and went back to my usual eating habits. I kept up the supplements to a degree. Am going back to see her next week to refocus. My advice is to take on what you can cope with and maybe change one thing at a time rather than a lot at once (does that make sense?). As for the stress I believe it's a huge factor and anything we can do to eliminate it is worthwhile. Unfortunately life circumstances don't always make this possible. I've had a few massages and am trying reiki next week. Good luck. Tammy