Alternative treatments for asbestos lung cancer

Specific diet therapies, alternative treatments, megavitamin therapy, 'immuno-augmentative' therapy. Approach these therapies with caution. Be sure to discuss any of these with your doctor because in some circumstances they may be harmful.

The medicines discussed here are described as alternative because they are not used as part of conventional cancer treatment. If you decide to use any of these approaches, be sure to discuss them with your doctor so he or she knows what you are planning to do and has given you the benefit of his or her advice.

Homeopathy

Homeopathy is based on the theory that a substance that can cause similar symptoms to those of the illness being treated, can be used in tiny amounts to treat those symptoms. Homoeopathic remedies are made with very diluted forms of these active ingredients and delivered in tablet, liquid or cream forms.

Asbestos lung cancer patients have increasingly been looking to homeopathy for help with easing symptoms. They use it to help with a range of symptoms, either caused by the disease itself or the side effects of some of the traditional treatments such as chemotherapy.

Homeopaths do not claim that homeopathy will cure cancer but use it instead to alleviate cancer symptoms and the side effects of traditional treatments. Few people claim these kinds of remedies affect cancer directly, but some say that they ease the symptoms. Do not be misled by extravagant claims that, for example, Essiac and shark cartilage can cure asbestos lung cancer; there is no evidence to support such claims.

If you are interested in this type of treatment, talk with your regular doctor or your mesothelioma specialist.

Herbal medicine

Herbal medicines use active ingredients from natural substances. If you are interested in trying any of them, first make sure the therapist is properly qualified, then talk to your cancer doctor. Some herbal medicines may contain steroids (a powerful drug that can have unpredictable side effects) or estrogen. Doctors are cautious because they don't thoroughly understand what effects the treatments might have and they want to help you avoid potentially risky drug interactions.

Essiac

Essiac is the name given to a mixture of herbs (burdock root, the bark of slippery elm tree, Turkish rhubarb and sheep sorrel) that's named after a nurse, Rene Caisse (Essiac spelled backwards). She claimed that in 1922 a patient who'd been cured of cancer attributed it to a recipe containing it that had come from an Indian medicine man. Caisse claims to have used the recipe to cure her aunt of stomach cancer. Its promoters claim that it can cure cancer and other diseases but the National Cancer Institute has studied Essiac and found no evidence that it has any effect on cancer or any other illness.

Cow or shark cartilage

In this treatment, cartilage (tissue found between bones and joints) from cows or sharks is ground up and given as a supplement in capsule or powder form. It is supposed to block the development of new blood vessels and thus starve the cancer. So far, no evidence has been found that it prevents or cures cancer. Doctors and researchers are recommending that cartilage should only be taken under doctor's supervision as part of a cancer research trial. Side effects in some people include nausea and vomiting.

Bach flower remedies

These remedies, available from health food stores and some pharmacies, contain the essences of flowers, diluted many times and given in liquid form. They are considered harmless and are said to help reduce psychological and emotional symptoms.

We offer treatment option suggestions when diagnosed with the rare asbestos lung cancer mesothelioma. The site includes an up-to-date mesothelioma news section.