Hello Ladies Has anyone read this book and had a frank discussion with their mainstream specialists about the book. ? The book is by Dr John Lee, written some years ago now, and I have just obtained it via my local library. I am interested if this information changed your decisions and/or the course of your treatment/s ? Has anyone decided to seek out 'alternative' treatments rather than the mainstream medical treatments we are all encouraged to go through ? As is the case with all medical scenarios most patients allow the sytem to take over without any real question. We seem to be quoted a wealth of statistics which are based on research - most of which is funded by chemical companies anyway. Any information would be appreciated as I am about to start reading the book. Thanks a lot Summer :-)

How are you going Summer? I haven't read this book,but I just want to say that the reason we listen to our doctors is because their information IS based on statistics.I feel that with something that can be life threatening like Cancer,we need to be guided by specialists with facts.I believe that there is definitely a place for alternative medicine,but alongside mainstream medical treatment,not instead of.For instance,vitamin supplements,meditation etc.Hope you are doing well.Cheers xoxRobyn

I am doing OK - the usual ups and downs like we all have. I look at the site now and then and see that you are still helping lots of ladies as they join the network. I am waiting for you to rotate your photo as I get a sore neck when talking to you. Two friends who had BC (plus one with bowel cancer) who went through the mainstream treatments passed away a few years later after harrowing experiences. I am wondering if it is worth it. I know we are all different, our breast cancers are different and all treatments are different but when I heard of this book I thought it could be interesting. I have not read it yet but am hoping someone else has and will comment on their experience with it. A neighbour went to the USA in the mid 80s to work on breast cancer specifically ... ? Drug companies seem to fund much of the research. The statistics can be read in all sorts of ways and we get so confused. Am I sounding a bit cynical ? My surgeon is not supportive of me going to a masseur for work on the cording and swelling - but it is working really well so I am happy with that decision. I was tired of the pain and discomfort, he offered no alternatives and there is no physio within 75 kms. I would love some of the medicos to accept some of the 'alternative' people and work alongside them, accepting that some things do help. It will be interesting to hear if others have read the book. Hope you are well - and have a happy day. Summer :-)

I hear you! While I am very happy with my surgeon and oncologist, they tend to just look after their bit.And that's ok cos they are very busy people and can't know everything.I haven't read the book you mentioned but I have been reading and researching the mind/ body connection.Many doctors are now recognising the importance of the mind/ thoughts with regards to well being and recovery.They are now able to measure with MRI how the brain reacts.I recently read a book by a scientist(Bruce Lipton)called 'Biology of Belief' which was very interesting.I believe that peace of mind and a healthy lifestyle is helpful in preventing a cancer recurrence but my oncologist doesn't think stress plays any part.I believe in following medical advice and prescribed treatments but not blindly. I've been on Tamoxifen for 4 years but 6 months ago I stopped because of all the health issues it was causing me.I am now more concerned about liver damage than bc.My oncologist has never thought to send me for blood tests or pelvic ultrasounds but is happy to churn out Tamoxifen scripts.I have to ask my GP and thankfully,she is very thorough.In the interim,I'm taking alternative supplements but I will discuss the A inhibitors with my oncologist. But ultimately,it's our choice and we have to believe that what we are taking/doing is helping us. Tonya xx

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 :-)

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

What your doctor may not tell you about breast cancer

13 Replies

TonyaM
Member
11 years ago
I hear you! While I am very happy with my surgeon and oncologist, they tend to just look after their bit.And that's ok cos they are very busy people and can't know everything.I haven't read the book you mentioned but I have been reading and researching the mind/ body connection.Many doctors are now recognising the importance of the mind/ thoughts with regards to well being and recovery.They are now able to measure with MRI how the brain reacts.I recently read a book by a scientist(Bruce Lipton)called 'Biology of Belief' which was very interesting.I believe that peace of mind and a healthy lifestyle is helpful in preventing a cancer recurrence but my oncologist doesn't think stress plays any part.I believe in following medical advice and prescribed treatments but not blindly. I've been on Tamoxifen for 4 years but 6 months ago I stopped because of all the health issues it was causing me.I am now more concerned about liver damage than bc.My oncologist has never thought to send me for blood tests or pelvic ultrasounds but is happy to churn out Tamoxifen scripts.I have to ask my GP and thankfully,she is very thorough.In the interim,I'm taking alternative supplements but I will discuss the A inhibitors with my oncologist. But ultimately,it's our choice and we have to believe that what we are taking/doing is helping us. Tonya xx
June1952
Member
11 years ago
I am doing OK - the usual ups and downs like we all have.

I look at the site now and then and see that you are still helping lots of ladies as they join the network. I am waiting for you to rotate your photo as I get a sore neck when talking to you.

Two friends who had BC (plus one with bowel cancer) who went through the mainstream treatments passed away a few years later after harrowing experiences. I am wondering if it is worth it.

I know we are all different, our breast cancers are different and all treatments are different but when I heard of this book I thought it could be interesting. I have not read it yet but am hoping someone else has and will comment on their experience with it.

A neighbour went to the USA in the mid 80s to work on breast cancer specifically ... ? Drug companies seem to fund much of the research. The statistics can be read in all sorts of ways and we get so confused. Am I sounding a bit cynical ?

My surgeon is not supportive of me going to a masseur for work on the cording and swelling - but it is working really well so I am happy with that decision. I was tired of the pain and discomfort, he offered no alternatives and there is no physio within 75 kms.

I would love some of the medicos to accept some of the 'alternative' people and work alongside them, accepting that some things do help.

It will be interesting to hear if others have read the book.

Hope you are well - and have a happy day.

Summer :-)
Robyn_W
Member
11 years ago
How are you going Summer? I haven't read this book,but I just want to say that the reason we listen to our doctors is because their information IS based on statistics.I feel that with something that can be life threatening like Cancer,we need to be guided by specialists with facts.I believe that there is definitely a place for alternative medicine,but alongside mainstream medical treatment,not instead of.For instance,vitamin supplements,meditation etc.Hope you are doing well.Cheers xoxRobyn

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What your doctor may not tell you about breast cancer

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