What your doctor may not tell you about breast cancer

Hi Jandy

Thank you for your comments re the book, very helpful.  I thought that would be the focus of the book but have not yet read it.

I agree that it would be good for anyone who has 'issues' re hormones but has not yet been diagnosed with cancer.  I guess he goes into the use of any chemicals like HRT and The Pill.  Most of us have used one or both at some stage without too much question.

Anyway, I will let you know when I have read it.

Thanks again

Summer  :-)

Hi Summer, I read that book a couple of years ago and from what I remember it wasn't about acupuncture or meditation or anything like that. It was mainly about hormone imbalances particularly having too much estrogen and not enough progesterone, an imbalance which he said lead to BC, From what I can remember the book advocated the use of progesterone cream to redress the imbalance that is supposed to be common in many middle aged women. It also gave the usual healthy diet and avoid chemicals type advice.

No it didn't change the course of my treatment. As my cancer was progesterone positve as well as estrogen positive I was a bit dubious about adding more progesterone to my body. There could be something in what he is saying but I didn't feel it was something I wanted to experiment with.

I do think you're probably correct though in saying big pharmaceutical companies have a vested interest in not doing research on alternative treatments or as I prefer to think of them, complimentary treatments. And I agree that mainstream medicos have a very blinkered view of treatment. Based on a lot of reading (books and online) since my diagnosis I am convinced there are plenty of nutritional adjustments we can make to lessen our chance of a recurrance. However, my oncologist pretty much shuts down any efforts I have made to discuss these issues with her. But as Tonya said they can't know everything.

I do think however that once cancer has kicked off in our bodies the mainstream treatments are our best bet for recovery. Cancer is pernicious and insidious disease. As awful as it is, give me the chemo/surgery/radiation  any day to get rid of the cancer. 

Hi all

I WAS ASKING IF ANYONE HAS READ THE BOOK AND IF IT HAD CHANGED THE COURSE OF YOUR TREATMENT.

I do not want to know your personal ideas/stories, the good or bad for you or how wonderful you think mainstream methods are.  After all, our specialists are generally trained in the mainstream ideas so they are not going to approve of anything else.  As I said, my friends who suffered through mainstream are dead anyway.

Yes, it is our decision as to what we do but I am hoping to get more information to enable me to make an informed decision, not be swayed by medicos of one sort or other. 

IF YOU HAVE NOT READ THE BOOK PLEASE DO NOT RESPOND TO THIS BLOG.

I DO LOOK FORWARD TO COMMENTS FROM LADIES WHO HAVE READ THE BOOK.

Thanksw

Summer  :-(

Hi Summer

As a typical Chinese background I still go for western medication at first.  At least they did a surgery to get rid of the cancer cell from my body.  No doubt there are cases recovery without any medication.  However, it's our own choice at the end of the day.  

Here in Australia, they have a scale and system to monitor and maintain the best way for people here.  I believed it is in every country around the World.  However, everyone react and respond is different in terms of same treatment.

It's really hard when gone through with pain and discomfort, bad mood and so and so.  I believed everyone here in this site having experienced the same hardest time, we all did.  Your experience making you a way to look for alternative.  It's normal.

I did having massage and acupuncture after chemo.  It really helpful (needle again....) but I need to find a reliable and a reputable acupuncture therapist, and must be accessful.  Even others experienced to her were good, it might not work on me.   I am now having the tamoxifen which I really hate it.  My mum suggested me not to having this tablet but take chinese herbal tea to replace into the treatment plan. The tamoxifen plan for 5 year on me and the pathology report of my cancer cell said, this treatment could help to get rid of 18% of recurrance. 

Put it this way, I can, I mean I had a choice of not taking this tablet.  18% is a decent figure.  However, I read a lot from China stories saying that people recovered themself without any treatment.  They might walk everyday up to maintain, just doing Qi-gong exercise; they might give up the hope of curing but spent all the money for holiday, and turn out life last longer than was told.

I read a lot from here the web sharing from other ladies information prior surgery and chemo.  However, I can't follow everyone say good, I picked for those I "feel" will be good for me, and also took the majority when it work for larger portion of ladies.

I wonder if I said something here : dont go through chemo and surgery, but take the chinese herbal tea with this and that combination.  I wonder anyone will follow.  Well, maybe I was not a specialist 

But thank you for let me know this information, John Lee, seems an Asian surname.  I'll also take a read of what's his finding.  No matter what he's a Doctor.

 I have 2 more herceptin to go with IV,  I really hate needle.  Since I had bad time with 1 of the vain near a side of my wrist.  I definitely not letting the nurse touch it anymore.  This was because my bad experience from it.

Take care

Rosanna

Hi Summer

As a typical Chinese background I still go for western medication at first.  At least they did a surgery to get rid of the cancer cell from my body.  No doubt there are cases recovery without any medication.  However, it's our own choice at the end of the day.  

Here in Australia, they have a scale and system to monitor and maintain the best way for people here.  I believed it is in every country around the World.  However, everyone react and respond is different in terms of same treatment.

It's really hard when gone through with pain and discomfort, bad mood and so and so.  I believed everyone here in this site having experienced the same hardest time, we all did.  Your experience making you a way to look for alternative.  It's normal.

I did having massage and acupuncture after chemo.  It really helpful (needle again....) but I need to find a reliable and a reputable acupuncture therapist, and must be accessful.  Even others experienced to her were good, it might not work on me.   I am now having the tamoxifen which I really hate it.  My mum suggested me not to having this tablet but take chinese herbal tea to replace into the treatment plan. The tamoxifen plan for 5 year on me and the pathology report of my cancer cell said, this treatment could help to get rid of 18% of recurrance. 

Put it this way, I can, I mean I had a choice of not taking this tablet.  18% is a decent figure.  However, I read a lot from China stories saying that people recovered themself without any treatment.  They might walk everyday up to maintain, just doing Qi-gong exercise; they might give up the hope of curing but spent all the money for holiday, and turn out life last longer than was told.

I read a lot from here the web sharing from other ladies information prior surgery and chemo.  However, I can't follow everyone say good, I picked for those I "feel" will be good for me, and also took the majority when it work for larger portion of ladies.

I wonder if I said something here : dont go through chemo and surgery, but take the chinese herbal tea with this and that combination.  I wonder anyone will follow.  Well, maybe I was not a specialist 

But thank you for let me know this information, John Lee, seems an Asian surname.  I'll also take a read of what's his finding.  No matter what he's a Doctor.

 I have 2 more herceptin to go with IV,  I really hate needle.  Since I had bad time with 1 of the vain near a side of my wrist.  I definitely not letting the nurse touch it anymore.  This was because my bad experience from it.

Take care

Rosanna

Hi Summer

As a typical Chinese background I still go for western medication at first.  At least they did a surgery to get rid of the cancer cell from my body.  No doubt there are cases recovery without any medication.  However, it's our own choice at the end of the day.  

Here in Australia, they have a scale and system to monitor and maintain the best way for people here.  I believed it is in every country around the World.  However, everyone react and respond is different in terms of same treatment.

It's really hard when gone through with pain and discomfort, bad mood and so and so.  I believed everyone here in this site having experienced the same hardest time, we all did.  Your experience making you a way to look for alternative.  It's normal.

I did having massage and acupuncture after chemo.  It really helpful (needle again....) but I need to find a reliable and a reputable acupuncture therapist, and must be accessful.  Even others experienced to her were good, it might not work on me.   I am now having the tamoxifen which I really hate it.  My mum suggested me not to having this tablet but take chinese herbal tea to replace into the treatment plan. The tamoxifen plan for 5 year on me and the pathology report of my cancer cell said, this treatment could help to get rid of 18% of recurrance. 

Put it this way, I can, I mean I had a choice of not taking this tablet.  18% is a decent figure.  However, I read a lot from China stories saying that people recovered themself without any treatment.  They might walk everyday up to maintain, just doing Qi-gong exercise; they might give up the hope of curing but spent all the money for holiday, and turn out life last longer than was told.

I read a lot from here the web sharing from other ladies information prior surgery and chemo.  However, I can't follow everyone say good, I picked for those I "feel" will be good for me, and also took the majority when it work for larger portion of ladies.

I wonder if I said something here : dont go through chemo and surgery, but take the chinese herbal tea with this and that combination.  I wonder anyone will follow.  Well, maybe I was not a specialist 

But thank you for let me know this information, John Lee, seems an Asian surname.  I'll also take a read of what's his finding.  No matter what he's a Doctor.

 I have 2 more herceptin to go with IV,  I really hate needle.  Since I had bad time with 1 of the vain near a side of my wrist.  I definitely not letting the nurse touch it anymore.  This was because my bad experience from it.

Take care

Rosanna

Thank you for your comments.

Alternative therapies have not been tested in clinical trials BECAUSE THE CHEMICAL COMPANIES ARE NOT GOING TO FUND SUCH RESEARCH !

Having seen friends go through the chemical treatments, have heaps of disgusting side effects then die a few years later makes me wonder why the 'statistics' say these treatments are 'effective'.

Unfortunately our Aussie doctors are bound by the AMA Ethics to use the so-called 'effective' treatments so are quite simply bound not to recommend treatments outside their 'normal' paths.

As I said, the book sounds interesting and I have not yet read it.

My issue with cording and swelling has not been dealt with by my 'mainstream' team and indeed I was scoffed at when I said I am going to a masseur who is helping big time.

I am simply thinking there must be a better way to successfully treat BC.

Regards

Summer  :-)

Hi Summer,

It’s Lisa from the Policy Team.  I’m sorry to hear that you’ve been experiencing pain because of cording and swelling.

I just wanted to jump in and say that doctors make the treatment recommendations that they do because the treatments have been shown to be effective in treating breast cancer in large, international clinical trials.

Alternative therapies are therapies that are used instead of conventional medical treatments, and they have not been scientifically tested or proven to be effective in treating breast cancer.

Many women are interested in finding out more about complementary therapies, which are therapies that can be used in addition to conventional medical treatments. These might be things like massage, yoga, Tai chi or reflexology.

We have information on our website about the difference between complementary therapies and alternative therapies that you might be interested in: http://www.bcna.org.au/living-breast-cancer/complementary-alternative-medicines-therapies.

If you’re thinking about trying some of the complementary therapies, it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor or someone in your treatment team.

Warm regards,
Lisa

It is all very interesting and, as you say, some doctors simply don't think stress has anything to do with cancer at all.

Yes, belief in one's medicos and how we relate to them is a key factor in deciding treatments etc.

I think of how long Tamoxifen has been around (20-30 years ?) and it still causes other problems - why, oh why haven't the chemical companies come up with something in it to prevent all the side effects ?  (Probably the long list of medications BC patients need means more dollars for them, eh ?).

The mind IS a poweful thing.  I get peace from "Time" performed by Sir Laurence Olivier which I have on an old single record (!!!).  If you cannot find the words, send me your email address via a private message and I will send them to you.

I hope you are having a good day.  Keep well.  Keep in touch.

Summer  :-)