Implementing an anti-cancer diet and lifestyle plan
The most important component of healing from cancer is flooding the body with the nutrients that it is lacking. This comes from eating a nutritious diet as well as from herbs and supplements. Additionally, one should explore anticancer therapies, detoxing protocols, an exercise plan, as well as relaxation techniques that are designed to relieve stress. You will find detailed notes on all of these subjects within this blog. Once you have done your research and formulated a comprehensive healing plan, it is time to put that plan into action.
Be aware that the body heals itself in phases, so you may experience many ups and downs. You may become very ill at some points. This is referred to as a healing crisis and can include flu-like symptoms that last for several days, weeks, or months. Your lymph nodes may become swollen and sore, your joints may ache and you may feel weak, you may have strong body odor and develop skin lesions or have diarrhea as toxins are being released. These symptoms may sound scary, but they may also be signs that your body is attempting to purge the toxins that are created when cancer cells die. Your body can release these toxins through several different pathways including the colon, kidneys, skin, and lungs, so you will want to support these systems as much as you can. You can read more about detoxification methods here.
Your body will progress through the up and down phases of detoxification and will eventually move into the reparation and regeneration phase. Your progress may seem slow or sporadic, but it is important remember that it took years for this cancerous situation to develop so it may take about 2 years (or longer) to fully heal. This time frame will also be dependent on if the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes or if there is additional organ involvement.
My recommendation would be to create a daily checklist of food intake, supplements, and alternative protocols that you are doing and adding an entry to record how you are feeling and any reactions that you experienced for the day.
Two indicators that you are on the right path are: 1) having a reduction in tumor-related pain. 2) having an increase in energy levels. By documenting your symptoms, you can track your progress as you go through the detoxification phase and this may help you determine if any adjustments are needed in your plan. Your goal is to monitor how you are feeling and finding positive trends and combining that with some form of regular testing (discussed below).
Many things can happen that may lead you to believe that you are not progressing fast enough, so having some initial baseline testing done prior to beginning your routine can provide confirmation that you are on the right path. Look for positive indicators, be organized and consistent with your program, continue to research alternative healing methods, and plan on staying on this course for the long-term as you cannot go back to your precancerous diet and lifestyle. I would also suggest that you connect with like-minded individuals by joining alternative healing groups. Here is a group to get you started.
Give yourself at least 90 days on your plan and then you can have some blood work and/or scans done to check on your progress.
- Your best case scenario after 90 days on an intensive healing program is that your tumor markers are showing some signs of regression and that you have a reduction in your cancer-related pain. You may also have more energy and are generally feeling better. If this is the case, you should continue with your plan and test again in 90 days.
- It is more likely that you may have some form of tumor stabilization. While this may not be the immediate results that you were looking for, this actually means that your body has stopped producing more cancer. Cancer cannot take over your body if it isn’t growing and spreading. Questions to ask yourself: Have your pain levels decreased? Has your energy level improved? What doesn’t feel right to you? What changes do you want to make to your program? Look for the positives and test again in 90 days.
- The tumor growth continues to progress unchecked. Is your protocol strong enough? Have you addressed all areas of nutrition and detoxification? Are your stress levels too high? Do you need to address some emotional issues? Are you, or someone close to you sabotaging your plan somehow? It may be time to intensify the protocol or to make some changes and then test again in 90 days.
Baseline testing
This is an initial measurement that is taken before starting your program and these numbers will be used for comparison over time. For example, the blood markers and tumor size can be measured before treatment (the baseline) and then afterwards to see if the treatment had an effect. The tests below can be used to track your progress. You will want to do all of your blood testing and any scans with your main doctor so that health insurance will cover the costs of these tests.
Testing for cancer markers
CEA – This test measures the amount of protein that may appear in the blood of some people who have certain kinds of cancers, including cancer of the colon or rectum. It may also be present in people with cancer of the pancreas, breast, ovary, or lung. A normal reading is less than 3
CA 125– is often measured as a blood test marker for ovarian cancer. A normal reading is 0-35
CA 15-3– is a breast cancer marker. A normal reading is less than 30.
CA 19-9– is a test for colorectal, gastric, and pancreatic cancers. A normal reading is under 36
PSA– is a prostate specific antigen which tests for prostate cancer markers. A normal reading is under 4
Various imaging tools that are available
CT scan– can be used to detect tumors, but it cannot determine if these tumors are cancerous. Some cancers, such as prostate cancer, uterine cancer, and certain liver cancers, can be hard to detect on a CT scan. They are not reliable when measuring subtle changes in tumor size and this can lead people to believe that their tumor may have grown, even when that is not the case. CT scans can expose you to 200 times more radiation than an x-ray. CT scans may also include dye which is used to highlight certain imaging features.
PET scan– this is a CT scan that has the addition of a radioactive glucose tracer that is used to specifically check for cancer. The glucose is absorbed by the cancer and this will light up the imaging. The radiation exposure is 200 times that of an x-ray.
MRI– magnetic resonance imaging uses a magnetic field and radio waves to produce an image. It can spot lesions and tumors but it cannot determine if it they are cancerous. Metastases to the bone and brain will show up better on an MRI vs other methods. There is no radiation exposure with MRI so it is much safer than having a CT scan but insurance may not cover an MRI when/if other options are available. MRI can include contrast dye to enhance the visibility of tumors, inflammation, blood supply to organs and blood vessels.
Ultrasound imaging– uses high frequency sound waves to check for tumor size and progression.
Thermography– is an alternative to mammography and is used to test for inflammation in the body. It can spot precancerous and cancerous situations by recognizing subtle temperature changes that occur when there is increased blood flow from cancerous situations. This test does not expose you to radiation but it is generally not covered by insurance. You can read more about thermography with this link.
Urine or blood testing offered by private companies
The Navarro Urine Test- measures the amount of HCG in the urine. A test result below 50 can be used as confirmation that you don’t have cancer, over 50 means there is a probable cancer. The higher the number, the more cancer is present. This test runs around $55.00 and is about 70% accurate. If you have been diagnosed with cancer, yet this test does not detect it, then it may not be the right testing method for you. Link to the Navarro website
The ONCOblot Blood Test- identifies a specific type of protein in the blood, ENOX2, which exists only on the surface of a malignant cancer cell. The ENOX2 proteins are shed into the circulation and can be detected in the blood. These proteins serve as highly sensitive markers for confirmation of cancer presence. Link to their website,
American Metabolic Laboratories Cancer Profile- is based on the premise that detectable biochemical changes occur in the human body during its transformation into a cancerous state. It includes 7 tests: HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) chemiluminescence assay serum and urine quantitative tests (American Metabolic Laboratories is the one and only clinical laboratory performing quantitative analysis for urine in the entire world). The PHI (phosphohexose isomerase enzyme); CEA (carcinoembryonic antigen); GGTP (gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase); TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone); and DHEA-S (dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate). Link to their website
Anti Malignin Antibody Test – is an early-detection tool for many types of cancer. The test recognizes the anti-malignin antibody, a cancer-causing antibody, in human serum. Anti-malignin is benign in most humans but can become more concentrated during cancer’s early stages. The AMAS test was first used to diagnose brain cancer, but is now widely used to detect and diagnose other forms of the disease. The test has found to be approximately 97% accurate in detecting the malignant antibody. Link to their website
RCGG (aka the Greece or Greek test)- will test many chemotherapeutic compounds and natural compounds to see what specific compounds your cancer cells may be sensitive to and this will give you an idea of what may be the most effective compounds to include in your healing plan. This test costs around $2500 and is not covered by insurance. Link to their website
More information
- It may take some time to find a open-minded doctor who is willing to monitor your progress with blood tests or scans without the use of conventional treatments.
- It is important that you are not pressured into doing something that you don’t want to do. Don’t get impatient during this time and don’t let yourself be talked into having conventional therapies because someone feels that you aren’t healing fast enough. Remember that it may take at least two years to fully heal from cancer with a natural route.
- Stress and anxiety can turn off your immune system and prevent healing. What techniques are you employing to overcome stress? You can read more about stress relieving techniques with this link.
- It is very possible to stop the growth of cancer and to live with tumors that have stabilized. Cancer cannot take over your body if it is not growing and spreading.
- You can never go back to your old diet and lifestyle. This is true even after healing has taken place because cancer stem cells can remain dormant and can be triggered at a later point due to poor lifestyle choices and stress.
Additional Reading
Cancer creates an acidic, low oxygen cellular environment
A hypothetical diet and supplement program
Sugar and the growth of cancer
Read more about various strategies to detoxify your liver.
Radical Remission by Kelly A. Turner, PhD
Complete Cancer Cleanse: A Proven Program to Detoxify and Renew the Body, Mind, and Spirit