Homeopathic Approaches to Cancer
Those of you who read my comments on the sad events of Sept 11 would
remember that I likened Terrorism to Cancer.
The first speaker stated "Cancer is like a terrorist hiding in the body."
She said that cancer's root cause was suppression of Rights, Emotions and
others like vaccination.
There is a fear associated with it - Where is it coming from and when is
it going to end (We can ask the same questions about terrorism too).
Cancer cells lose their boundary limits - multiply rapidly and invade
others and this rebellion does not know when to stop.
There is a problem with the immune system because the bodies defence system
is unable to recognise the 'self' cells that are acting against the whole
(In effect MI5/MI6 or FBI/CIA failing to recognise terrorists).
What is the reaction? We use WAR metaphors - you FIGHT cancer
(same as the reaction to terrorism you fight Terrorism).
This means that we are not dealing with the cause and the end result is
Metastases (or more terrorism).
Experience has shown that VERY rarely a patient with cancer will opt for
treatment by Homoeopathy alone (How many reading this article would in
such circumstances only use Homoeopathy?). As practitioners we therefore
have to put up with the effects of Chemo/Radiation therapy often as a
mixture.
We can certainly give remedies to reduce the effects of the poisoning by
these modes of treatment such as exhaustion and vomiting (It was said that
Cad Sulph has advantages over Ars). However, a word of WARNING must be
given now. When Homoeopathy is given to patients, the oncologists may become
confused because the patient is doing much better than expected under the
doses of chemotherapy. So often they increase the dose - further poisoning
the patient (Sometimes beyond the point of no-return).
It was said that various remedies are sometimes called upon such as
Carcinocin (when things have become stuck), Hydrastis to shrink the tumour,
Chel to support the liver during the onslaught of Chemo therapy; Sol for
radiation burns, Avena Sativa for insomnia etc.
It was pointed out that it was important that underlying causes needed to
receive attention; it was necessary to treat the acutes (fears etc) that
suddenly come up.
The patient with cancer needs to receive tender loving care but boundaries
MUST be recognised, one has to learn to put up with the out-pourings of
emotions from the patient and their family and one's own self. It must be
recognised that if thing become worrying the pt may abandon Homoeopathy and
go for conventional therapy. This must be understood and accepted on a
personal basis and not regarded as desertion.
You need to be prepared to deal with own emotions especially if the patient
is terminal and is in a hospice (they still need support).
Be wise to their needs and if they cannot visit you, then visit them.
=========
Second speaker:
When dealing with Patients with cancer, one is often dealing with someone
who is at the end of their tethers. Lots of emotions and fears.
It was pointed out that it was quite legal for Homoeopaths to treat patients
with cancer as we treat the patient and not the disease. but we MUST NOT
prevent them from receiving conventional treatment and must not increase the
anxiety of the patient or their relatives. The family dynamic must also be
observed as this is sometime one of the key symptoms of the situation or the
core of the disease.
We need to find the totality, we must recognise what we are treating,
what is to be cured and is it curable?
Conventional treatment also lays down a lot of false trails that break
off leading to nowhere - It makes it hard to trace the patient's picture
- so if you can start taking your case before Chemo/Rad treatment so much
the better (We don't often have this luxury).
We also need to support the patient through Chemo - either they hate it,
or they think it is their saviour.
We must also be clear in our own mind about the processes of life/death
and dying and letting-go. We must consider the issues of dying for the
patient - the family issues and conflicts that need to be resolved.
The Homoeopath may not have the full picture of these conflicts - or even
the patient's disease - or the patient's real wishes.
A good case resolution (even in death) may be a solution for the family.
Seek personal counselling if you are troubled. We have to be able to put
up with the aftermaths of death of the patient.
Patient's personal care also comes into question. For example what to do
if a patient with lung cancer still smokes. Do not chastise but find out
what it means to them to smoke or to drink etc - this may help you in finding
out what is going on in your patient's mind.
=========
Third speaker:
Treating a pt with cancer is probably the first experience of treating
someone who is dying. The management of one's own emotions is vitally
important. Do not suppress them, talk about them.
What can we offer homeopaths:
- There is little solid research and clinical trails
- Homoeopathy and Breast cancer (now
discussed at the next conference.
- There is however significant case data
- Good articles in back issues of The Homoeopath esp No 59 and 70.
The best result were achieved by those who had had surgery and the
Homoeopathy (no Chemo/Rad).
[
Surgery itself can cause post operative trauma and disfigurement - esp if it
is to the visible areas such as head/face or hands.
Another emotional issue that was discussed was the reaction of the family
after death. There is often anger and sense of loss etc. But interestingly
some family members (wives etc) do not come to seek homoeopathic help because
they associate the Homoeopath with the lost one. It may be 12 or 18 months
before they come to see the Homoeopath.
In terms of providing information to the patients, it was said that the
older patients required little info where as the younger patients needed
lots of information and wanted to be actively part of the treatment.
HOPE
A fine balance must also be made between not appearing pessimistic and not
raising false hope.
But new/workable diversions of HOPE are workable and there is process of
hope maintenance:
These are:
- Hope for a cure
- Hope for successful containment
- Hope for prolongation of life
- Hope for peaceful death.
One must learn to be able to let go of hopes when they start to become false
premises, but always build on an atmosphere of HOPE and progress.
=============
We then had group discussions with the following questions to be discussed:
WHAT CAN WE OFFER TO PATIENTS WITH CANCER?
Effective remedies;
a strong sense of support; information
Nutritional support - Supplements, foods that help with various problems etc
Financial support - If necessary arrange for fees to be paid over weeks as
often Patients with cancer are in financial difficulty. They need to be seen
for short periods often. A colleague said he says to them "I don't want to
add bankruptcy to the stresses and anxieties you may have already."
The patient's response will then guide you on how to proceed.
HOW DO WE ASSESS PROGNOSIS IN CANCER CASES? TO WHAT EXTENT IS THIS INFLUENCED BY CONVENTIONAL MEDICAL DIAGNOSIS AND TESTS? HOW DOES OUR ASSESSMENT OF PROGNOSIS CHANGE OVER TIME?
Prognosis in a homoeopathic case is difficult to make. It all depends
on the vitality of the patient.
Accept the medical diagnosis and work on it. But tests although valuable
are not 100% reliable.
Give choice to the patient and give them feed back. Advise them of the rate
of progress.
HOW DO WE COMMUNICATE TO PATIENTS OUR UNDERSTANDING OF THE ABOVE QUESTIONS?
With honesty and sensitivity.
Pre-warn and inform is the key. Especially around the questions of Return
of Old Symptoms (which may involve tumours developing in other parts)
Empower the patient.
WHAT ISSUES ARISE FOR US WHEN PATIENTS ARE COMBINING TREATMENTS - HOW DO WE ADDRESS THESE ISSUES?
There are emotions from the patient, e.g. anger, disappointment, despair,
need of support.
There are physical problem, disfigurement, hair loss, sickness and diarrhoea
Sense of loss and anger when patient make a choice not favoured by us.
We still have to give them support through it and the consequences afterwards.
Do not blame!!
IN WHAT WAYS MAY OUR OWN FEELINGS ABOUT CANCER INFLUENCE OUR CASE-TAKING AND TREATMENT OF PATIENTS?
Am I able to cope with this?
Should I carry on or refer to someone else?
When choices are put in front of the patient it is worth while to consider
"What would I do with that choice?"
Is it a death sentence for the patient?
What is it about me that I am attracting so many cancer patients?
Can I handle the emotional responsibilities?
Am I handling my time and boundaries properly?
Do I need supervision?
Do I need moral support? Am I feeling alone?
What has happened if a patient with on going Homeopathic treatment is
diagnosed with cancer?
Some new publications on this issue:
A Homoeopathic approach to cancer by AU Ramikrishnan & Catherine Coulter
Quality Medical Publishing, 2001.
Abandon all hope all ye who enter here.
C Ong - Journal of Alternative and Complimentary Medicine
Vol 7 N0.3 2001, pp 289-294
The journey through cancer : An oncologist's seven-level programme for
healing and transforming the whole person - Jeremy Geffen -
Crown publishers,
Integrated Cancer Care - Jennifer Barraclough (Ed) - OUP 2001.
A new Homoeopathic approach to neoplastic diseases: From cell destruction
to carcinogen induced apoptosis
H Montford, British Homoeopathic Journal, Vol 89, April 2000 pp 78-83.