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Cancer appears to be
the dominant disease of this century, affecting so many
of our lives either directly or though a friend or
family member. At the start of the 1900’s a mere 10 per
cent of the population was afflicted with cancer.
According to the Canadian Cancer Society, Based on
current incidence rates, 38% of women and 43% of men
will develop cancer during their lifetimes. An estimated
145,500 new cases of cancer and 68,300 deaths will occur
in Canada in 2004.
There
is little doubt in my mind that these startling
statistics have everything to do with our stress, our
foods and the chemicals in our environment.
Most
cancers appear in the body years before they are
detectable by either symptoms or by blood tests. For
this reason, preventative approaches that address
unbalanced and unhealthy lifestyles are imperative.
Cancer
is still an enigma to most of us. But we do know that
the body is toxic, acidic, weak and relatively
defenseless when cancer takes over. Naturopathic
treatments can do wonders to build the bodies defenses
as well as to provide a positive and healing approach.
For
those who opt for chemotherapy and/or radiation there is
still a very important role for naturopathy. In my
experience an exemplary and highly specific nutritional
protocol combined with high doses of specific
antioxidants and medicinal plants can make a world of
difference to those subjected to high doses of toxic
anticancer agents. Of course, emotional and spiritual
support is an imperative part of this approach.
There
is a substantial body of good evidence to show that
nutritional supplements, including high doses of
antioxidants, not only protect our vital organs from the
damaging effects of chemotherapy, they support
chemotherapeutic agents.
Naturopathic medicine can also simply help address the
side effects of conventional cancer treatments such as
nausea, insomnia, poor appetite, etc. And for those who
opt out of naturopathic treatments during their
chemotherapy and/or radiation there is a vital need to
build up and detoxify our bodies after the treatments.
For
those of you who are unfortunate enough to have cancer
enter your lives and bodies, I encourage you to think
about the critical importance of nurturing and
supporting your bodies rather than just fighting them.
If you
would like more information about naturopathic
approaches to cancer for yourself or a loved one please
feel to contact my clinic and talk to me personally.
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