Gerson Therapy: what is your experience with it?

[Mtngrl]

From the link Tanya posted, it looks like Gerson has been pretty thoroughly investigated and debunked.

Remember, "the plural of anecdote is not evidence." Why anyone would make a life-or-death decision, in a field where there's a huge amount of scientific investigation and evidence, on the uncorroborated say-so of one or two strangers, is beyond me.

The liver and kidneys detoxify our bodies. That's their function. As Tanya's article says, it can be very dangerous to succumb to quackery in a misguided attempt to help them do their job. The modern obsession with "toxins" seems kind of Medieval to me. They used to think diseases were caused by marsh gases or emanations of mysterious origins.

The best ways to boost your immune system are rest, stress management, a healthy (but sane) diet, and moderate exercise, like walking. Do all those things, but lay off the coffee enemas.

In 1992 Barbara Bradfield was on her way to Mexico in a last-ditch attempt to treat her Stage IV HER-2 positive cancer when Dr. Slamon called and talked her into participating in the first Herceptin clinical trial. She has been NED ever since then--20 years. (She says she now does anything Dr. Slamon tells her to do.) I know that's an anecdote too, except that a lot of people have followed in her footsteps. There is a mass of data on this.

[Mandamoo]

Amy - as ever a calm voice of reason - thank you.

[StephN]

Barbie wrote:

"as far as chemo - from what I read, it only helps breast cancer in 1.5% of patients not to have a recurrence."

I can't imagine where this could come from. If chemo only helped 1.5% of BC patients not to recur hardly anyone would get chemo!

This figure is FAR from correct. Also, the statistics are so outmoded now, with Herceptin and the other drugs we now have, just don't pay attention to them!

And it is my studied opinion that detoxification will not CURE an aggressive breast cancer that is already out of the box, so to speak. It is on the march - maybe slowly - maybe faster - we are all a little different.

However I believe in detoxing to take the load off your liver and kidneys. It will help you through what ever treatment you decide to take. But one does not need to go to the lengths Paula describes unless you have been a real sloth, and feel a need to make up for lost time. (I am sure Paula was not a sloth, had other agenda.)

Many of the members here have done a lot in cleaning up their diet and general mode of living in order to give themselves a better fighting chance to stay cancer free once the treatment was finished.

You will manage and all will be well for the wedding. There have been other women on this site who had the same situation - precious weddings coming in tandem with breast cancer treatments. You will find the way to take care of your self as well as your family.

[ElaineM]

The Gerson Therapy was developed a long time before the newer treatment choices that are available today.
I like what Steph wrote about many of us improving our nutrition and making better choices in our diets. I think that helps alot.
I have improved my diet little by little over the years. I still continue that today. It might take a little more effort than just putting something in a microwave, but I still cook the old fashioned way. 95% of my food is cooked from scratch on a stove or eaten fresh. I am also careful about salt, sugar and fat when I choose foods. I use a blender to make fresh juices after washing and cutting up the ingredients.
As far as detoxing is concerned there are other more pleasant ways to detox than coffee enemas. Healthy homemade vegetable juice blends through a liquid diet for a day or half a day is probably one way.
I think coffee can be dehydrating if it is taken our used in excess. Dehydration is not good for anyone. Coffee is meant to be enjoyed through the mouth and digested through the normal digestive process.
We have alot of resources available to us today. I think it is fine to choose parts of a diet plan that meet our needs and leave the rest alone. I would leave the coffee enemas alone, but I might try a couple of the Gerson recipes that are healthy, well balanced nutritionally and taste good.