Natural, Innovative Approaches to Cancer

Cancer in animals is increasing dramatically and in some area’s it is the leading cause of death in dogs and cats.  There is great speculation on all the potential causes.  In my practice I have treated hundreds of animals with cancer with an integrative approach over twenty years.  My attitude has always been to present to clients all the different therapeutic options in order to allow them to make an educated decision based on their own attitudes and perspectives on treatment.  I find some clients prefer a conventional approach based on their personal beliefs and positive experiences with family and friends who had responded well to chemotherapy, surgery and radiation.  Other clients prefer a completely natural approach based on their own personal beliefs and negative experiences with family and friends who did not respond well to chemotherapy, surgery or radiation.  I honor all people’s opinions and then offer an integrative approach based on the research results regarding a particular tumor type, the age of the animal, quality of life and the individual animal and the family situation.  Taking all of this into consideration is a more holistic approach. I have always stated that no one form of medicine has all the answers and it just seems reasonable to offer a more integrative approach.

Ideally, I also try to find the cause of the cancer wherever it is possible and see if there is something we can do based on the cause.  Some cancers in animals have a definitive genetic predisposition with all the inbreeding.  Others appear to be environmental or nutritional or possibly medication induced.

I have always searched for complementary, natural, nontoxic approaches wherever possible.  Recently, there was a documentary on Dr. Burzynski and his approach with antineoplastins in humans.  I remember working with Dr. Burzynski almost twenty years ago looking at the potential of using his approach based on proteins in the urine that were killed cancer cells.  I also explored antiangiogenic approaches as well as different nutritional and nutraceutical approaches. I have also used different Oriental medical herbal approaches with great success.   In most cases animals were able to live a longer, happier, healthier life with few if any side effects, though I cannot say that we ever cured cancer.  Clients were quite happy that there animals lived a quality life for a longer period of time.

I continue to look at for new innovative, nontoxic approaches.  I have recently been reviewing a number of these approaches and will share them with you periodically.  I recently came across this fascinating article on a bacteria found naturally in soil that unlike current chemotherapy, the natural bacteria treatment causes only the cancer cells to be destroyed while healthy cells are left unharmed.  This is the goal with most of the approaches that I search for.   You can learn more at:http://www.naturalnews.com/033505_soil_bacteria_cancer_tumors.html#ixzz1aUXuXR

As we work together to create a more compassionate society, offering an integrative approach to cancer care is an essential component to allow our animal friends a quality life as they get older and confront health care crises.  It allows us to confront our own choices on what we might do if confronted with our own personal crisis like this.  It allows us to develop a more compassionate approach to death and dying.  It also allows us an opportunity to develop a more compassionate approach to life with all other beings and for being in the moment and appreciating each moment.

Prevention of course is a key to cancer care.  Nutrition and nutraceuticals are a key component in preventive cancer care.  We will discuss this in more detail in future posts.

Be well, Be happy, Be peaceful, calm and alert!