In a chapter titled “Finding (hiding) a cure for cancer,” we address this killer disease in our book MEDICAL INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX: The $ickness Industry, Big Pharma and Suppressed Cures, and we look at what mainstream medicine is doing about it and, more importantly, what alternative treatments are available.
According to Mercola.com, which promotes itself as the world’s No.1 natural health site, “One person out of three will be hit with a cancer diagnosis at some time in their lives.” Subscribers are urged to understand that cancer is big business.
In an article dated August 3, 2013, Mercola.com states, “The cancer industry is spending virtually nothing of its multi-billion dollar resources on effective prevention strategies, such as dietary guidelines, exercise and obesity education. Instead, it pours its money into treating cancer, not preventing or curing it. Why would they shoot their cash cow? If they can keep the well-oiled Cancer Machine running, they will continue to make massive profits on chemotherapy drugs, radiotherapy, diagnostic procedures and surgeries.
“The typical cancer patient spends $50,000 fighting the disease. Chemotherapy drugs are among the most expensive of all treatments, many ranging from $3,000 to $7,000 for a one-month supply”.
The article concludes, “In spite of the enormous amounts of money funneled into cancer research today, two out of three cancer patients will be dead within five years after receiving all or part of the standard cancer treatment trinity—surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy.”
There’s no doubt, in the last few decades hundreds of billions of dollars have been spent internationally on cancer research. In the US alone, since President Nixon launched his ‘War on Cancer’ program in 1971, tens of billions in government funding have been granted to cancer researchers.
And when a cancer cure is finally found it will save millions of lives and will be the medical discovery of the era.
However, there are theories out there which suggest there has already been a cure, or many cures, discovered for cancer. These popular theories suggest the Medical Industrial Complex have a huge financial incentive to suppress cures so they can continue to provide their own costly treatments for cancer patients.
If true, that would be a callous and unforgiveable business model, unnecessarily costing countless lives.
Of course, many if not most known (proclaimed) alternative cancer treatments are noticeably lacking in suitable testing methodology and well conducted clinical trials, and test results often haven’t demonstrated significant efficacy; nor have results been published, or published in appropriate publications at least.
According to Wikipedia, “A 2006 systematic review of 214 articles covering 198 clinical trials of alternative cancer treatments concluded that almost none conducted dose-ranging studies, which are necessary to ensure that the patients are being given a useful amount of the treatment. These kinds of treatments appear and vanish frequently, and have throughout history”.
The medical establishment has identified and branded as ineffective numerous alternative therapies to treat and prevent cancer. These include: homeopathy, naturopathy, herbalism, holistic medicine and aromatherapy.
Similarly, many other treatments have been put down by the establishment. To name but a few, these include light therapy and other energy-based treatments, fasting and other diet-based treatments, cannabis and other plant-based treatments, colon cleansing and other physical procedures, and faith healing and other such spiritual measures.
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“The cancer industry world wide is estimated at a 200 billion dollar a year industry. There are many in various associated positions within that industry who would be without a job if that cash flow dried up suddenly with the news that there are cheaper, less harmful, and more efficacious remedies available. Big Pharmacy would virtually vanish.” –Paul Fassa. Article excerpt from Natural News, September 24, 2009.
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There’s no disputing that the alternative (cancer treatment) route is littered with examples of pseudo-science, snake oil salesmen, bogus cures and failures; nor is there any disputing that in recent decades medical science has made major inroads into treating and removing cancers. You only need to look at the advances made in chemotherapy and radiation therapy, and the refinement of surgical techniques, to understand that.
However, officially at least, a cure for cancer still eludes Mankind and cancer sufferers continue to die by the millions every year.
For that reason alone, mainstream medicine should not be so quick to dismiss claims of alternative treatments and cures. After all, there are many case studies that support the theory that there has already been a cure, or many cures, discovered for cancer.
Even that respected American non-profit medical practice and research group the Mayo Clinic pays lip service at least to alternative cancer treatments. On its website, beneath the warning “Many alternative cancer treatments are unproved and some may even be dangerous,” the clinic lists “10 alternative cancer treatments that are generally safe” and “have shown some promise in helping people with cancer”.
Those alternative treatments (with the Mayo Clinic’s abbreviated comments added) include:
- Acupuncture – “May be helpful in relieving nausea caused by chemotherapy.”
- Aromatherapy – “May be helpful in relieving nausea, pain and stress.”
- Exercise – “May help people with cancer live longer and improve…quality of life.”
- Hypnotherapy – “May be helpful for people…who are experiencing anxiety, pain and stress.”
- Massage – “Can be helpful in relieving pain.”
- Meditation – “May help…by relieving anxiety and stress.”
- Music therapy – “May help relieve pain and control nausea and vomiting.”
- Relaxation techniques – “May be helpful in relieving anxiety and fatigue.”
- Tai chi – “May help relieve stress.”
- Yoga – “May provide some stress relief…improve sleep and reduce fatigue.”
Hardly earth-shattering stuff. However, it’s a concession at least that there is a place within mainstream medicine – no matter how small – for alternative treatments in combating cancer.
TBC…
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