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Treating estrogen responsive cancer naturally

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Comments

  • brooksidevt
    brooksidevt Member Posts: 1,432
    edited October 2017

    Ooops!

    However, it will always be how I think of you.

  • marijen
    marijen Member Posts: 2,181
    edited October 2017

    Removed

  • marijen
    marijen Member Posts: 2,181
    edited October 2017

    dtad, did the berberine make you nauseous in the beginning?I am losing lbs because I’m not inclined to eat!

  • dtad
    dtad Member Posts: 771
    edited October 2017

    marjen...it didn't make me nauseous but it definitely decreased my appetite. Which in turn helped me lose the weight. Now my appetite is better but IMO it still helps me maintain. Metformin also works this way.

  • celiac
    celiac Member Posts: 1,260
    edited October 2017

    Interesting about the berberine. It is in the Turmeric supplement I take. My appetite was suppressed due to surgery, radiation, etc. and has remained decreased. However, like you dtad, it is a help in losing weight - so not concerned. Since surgery, have lost just over 30 lbs and to be "ideal" would need to lose 15 more. Drastically changed eating habits as well, no rice, potatoes, pasta, wheat bread, etc. and lots more fruit and veggies so believe this has helped. Have always been a lean protein eater (have not eaten beef in over 27 years) so no big changes there.

  • dtad
    dtad Member Posts: 771
    edited October 2017

    CeliiaC...congrats on losing weight. Weight loss and exercise has been shown to lower recurrence rates by 40 percent! I don't think berberine is in your Tumeric supplement but read the ingredients. Berberine is a supplement that mimics the prescription drug Metformin. Good luck to all.

  • brutersmom
    brutersmom Member Posts: 969
    edited October 2017

    I have chosen to go the route of diet and exercise because the medications and some of the supplements make me feel horrible. I just had my 6 month blood work. After 4 months of going to the gym and the loss of 10 lbs. My blood sugar, cholesterol, and triglycerides are the lowest they have been in over 8 years. All are down 10 points or more. This says a lot to me about the benefits of exercise. I had changed my diet about a year ago and did not see any change in my blood work but did lose weight. The two together are a win. Nothing is a guarantee but this change is a big plus.

  • celiac
    celiac Member Posts: 1,260
    edited November 2017

    dtad - you are right - not berberine, it is piperine in the turmeric. OOPS

  • GoKale4320
    GoKale4320 Member Posts: 580
    edited November 2017

    I just read the book "Breast Cancer: 50 Essential things to do" by Greg Anderson. It's pretty interesting. About half of the book is about dealing with the diagnosis and things to do before and during treatment, but there is a large portion dealing with what to do after treatment and getting on with life. One thing I learned was that taking 1 baby aspirin a day helps "manage the tumor cells left behind" Women who took a baby aspirin daily or 2-5 times per week were "71 percent less likely to have a recurrence than the women who took the aspirin less often or not at all."

    The book also addressed a good bit on mental attitude, less stress, forgiveness, and enjoying life as part of longevity. I have seen these ideas in many places so that is no surprise.

    But the daily aspirin was a surprise, and I am now starting that.


    https://www.amazon.com/Breast-Cancer-50-Essential-...=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1509541896&sr=8-2&keywords=50+things+to+do+for+breast+cancer

  • mormor1
    mormor1 Member Posts: 38
    edited November 2017

    Wow...what a long thread. I read some early and some recent posts. Lots of wonderful information!!
    Just have to share my experience. I love that my oncologist was willing to follow me using a dietary approach and I have labs to prove it works.

    This month marks my 10 year anniversary from diagnosis. Just had an MRI "all clear", so very excited!

    I was 57, still having heavy periods (seemed to be getting heavier). Shocked to get diagnosis. Had unilateral MX.
    Was stage 2a with one node positive and 19 neg. ER+ / PR+ Grade 1
    They wanted me to do chemo and take Zolodex injections to put me into menopause, then Tamoxifen. I was concerned about irreversible eye damage (from Tamoxifen) as I already have significant uncorrectable vision loss. Also didn't want to tear down my immune system (with chemo) when seems like I needed it most..

    Consulted with a nutritionist (karenhurd.com) I'd heard LOTS of people were helped by for various conditions. Her explanation made SO much sense! It's a simple, healthy, inexpensive diet. Water soluble fiber (legumes or psyllium powder) six times a day is a key factor.


    Hormones (and cholesterol + other toxins) bond to bile. If the hormone / bile bonds to water soluble fiber, it can't be reabsorbed back into the liver (enterohepatic recirculation) and gets flushed out of the body. If the water soluble fiber isn't there, it will get recycled and builds up yucky bile and excess estrogen.
    https://experiencelife.com/article/fiber-why-it-matters-more-than-you-think/

    I went into menopause within a couple months. My enhanced extradiol levels went down dramatically.

    It really works! Glad to answer any questions. Best to you all.



  • AngelaJL
    AngelaJL Member Posts: 26
    edited November 2017

    Ah, Karen Hurd! I have a family friend who was helped by her when all else had failed. But I worked with her on a problem and had no success at all. So results may vary

  • mormor1
    mormor1 Member Posts: 38
    edited November 2017

    Interesting Angela! I'm from WI too (Eau Claire), and you live right in Packer Town! Go Pack (even with all your injuries!)

    Yes, I do believe results may vary for various conditions.
    I am totally sold on the effectiveness of water soluble fiber on decreasing estrogen, cholesterol etc. What has been your path for dealing with estrogen + ? (sorry, too lazy to try to figure it out by going back on the thread) Was your problem where you worked with Karen prior to breast cancer?

  • coachvicky
    coachvicky Member Posts: 984
    edited November 2017

    I have taken psyllium for over 20 years. I guess it didn't work to stop my estrogen fed cancers. But I do have low cholesterol!

    Coach Vicky



  • dtad
    dtad Member Posts: 771
    edited November 2017

    mormor1...comgrats on your success with nutrition vs anti hormone therapy! Very interesting....

  • celiac
    celiac Member Posts: 1,260
    edited November 2017

    Good news about the baby aspirin. Have been on the 1 low dose aspirin a day regimen for many years for heart reasons.

  • AngelaJL
    AngelaJL Member Posts: 26
    edited November 2017

    Hi mormor1! Yes, my time working with Karen Hurd (over the phone) was probably 4-5 years before my diagnosis, and it was for chronic skin disorders (delayed pressure urticaria and chronic idiopathic urticaria).

    I haven't decided yet what I'll do about the ER+ part of my diagnosis. I know that I'm NOT taking Tamoxifen. The medical oncologist has given his blessing on that decision, thankfully.

    I grew up near Chetek and have been to Eau Claire countless times!

  • mormor1
    mormor1 Member Posts: 38
    edited November 2017

    Cool Angela that you are right from the same neck of the woods. Chetek is beautiful. Eau Claire has changed a LOT, in a good way. I actually grew up in Menash, quite near Green Bay, so guess we traded places. :D

    So glad your medical oncologist has given you his blessing to not do Tamoxifen!! That can be a battle. My surgeon who did the MX was so disrespectful to me about my alternative decisions. That was stressful.

    Looks like you caught it early and it's DCIS. Glad for that!
    I hope you consider Karen....or even if you don't do the full program, add beans / psyllium powder to your diet (at least 3 to 4 times a day)....and cut sugar?? I'm still doing the diet. It's not that hard...meat, veggies, beans. It's become my lifestyle and I feel really great (decades younger than my actual age).

    Wishing you all the best!

  • marijen
    marijen Member Posts: 2,181
    edited November 2017

    Abstract

    Seafoods and seaweeds represent some of the most important reservoirs of new therapeutic compounds for humans. Seaweed has been shown to have several biological activities, including anticancer activity. This review focuses on colorectal and breast cancers, which are major causes of cancer-related mortality in men and women. It also describes various compounds extracted from a range of seaweeds that have been shown to eradicate or slow the progression of cancer. Fucoidan extracted from the brown algae Fucus spp. has shown activity against both colorectal and breast cancers. Furthermore, we review the mechanisms through which these compounds can induce apoptosis in vitro and in vivo. By considering the ability of compounds present in seaweeds to act against colorectal and breast cancers, this review highlights the potential use of seaweeds as anticancer agents. View Full-Text

    Keywords: breast cancer; colorectal cancer; seaweed; therapeutic compounds breast cancer; colorectal cancer; seaweed; therapeutic compounds

    ►▼ Figures

    This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 3.0).

  • hopeful_36
    hopeful_36 Member Posts: 11
    edited November 2017

    Anyone HER2+ and refusing conventional treatments?

    I was HER- first time around for DCIS (2013). 2017 recurrence, they've tested it twice with results "unequivocal". Retested for the third time, and it turned out to be HER+.

    It'd be good to hear there is someone else who's gone alternative with HER+.

  • marijen
    marijen Member Posts: 2,181
    edited November 2017

    208 dietary supplements reviewed at

    https://www.drugs.com/condition/dietary-supplement.html


  • Kyoko88
    Kyoko88 Member Posts: 2
    edited November 2017

    is there a top natural path in north dallas. Someone that can help iDC? Would Medicare covers it?


  • roche
    roche Member Posts: 36
    edited November 2017

    Hi. This question is for any members who are using natural supplements rather than anti hormone meds to prevent recurrence. Has anyone had an estrogen metabolism assessment tests done through a 24 hour urine test? It measures select estrogen levels and other important cancer ratios. Just wondering if I could get some feedback. Thank you

    Roch

  • dtad
    dtad Member Posts: 771
    edited November 2017

    roche....I do not take anti hormones. Would love to know more about that urine test. Who would do it? As far as I know only naturopathic docs test hormone levels. Would appreciate more information. Thanks!

  • roche
    roche Member Posts: 36
    edited November 2017

    dtad -sorry for the delay-

    There are several different hormone tests available from what I've researched, using urine as opposed to blood or saliva. This test tells you the type of estrogen your body is producing, and depending on which specific test, also measures many other things of concern. More thorough than any blood or saliva testing. I have had my hormones tested with blood twice since my surgery and it only tells me total estrogen and also the estradiol amt. so I don't know whether the estrogen my body is producing is the good or the bad kind. The estrogen metabolism test is supposed to tell you the various types of estrogen being made, helping us to understand how we're clearing estrogens from body to avoid such states as estrogen dominance. It cost a few hundred $$, and I am contemplating having it done. Just wondering what treatment would be recommended if test reports "bad estrogen" being produced? More supplements? or pharmaceuticals?

    which I am totally against? My gp doctor also includes naturapathy in his practice.

  • mormor1
    mormor1 Member Posts: 38
    edited November 2017

    Interesting discussion. The urine test sounds worthwhile, will be interested in following if you do this, roche.
    I had blood testing of enhanced estradiol levels. It was helpful until I went into menopause, not sure how helpful it would have been after that. It was dramatic enough to convince me and my oncologist that the diet was working!


    Vicky, I took the water soluble fiber (1/3 c legumes or 6 gm psyllium powder) SIX times a day to get the levels down! At one point, I took it 8 times a day. Now, on maintenance, I just do 3 times a day.

    Kyoko88, my nutritionist does consults by phone, all over the world. She was very helpful for my ICD stage 2b cancer. She is not very expensive. (about $100 for initial in depth health review intake & plan and $46 for 20 minute consults after that). I didn't need to consult very often as my progress was good. I just had a clear MRI and I'm 10 years out this month from diagnosis! YAY!! I doubt Medicare would cover for her and maybe not for many alternative approaches, unless possibly an integrative MD

  • dtad
    dtad Member Posts: 771
    edited November 2017

    roche...very interesting. I think my problem would be finding a doc that would do it. I live in the NYC area. Any suggestions?

  • roche
    roche Member Posts: 36
    edited November 2017
    dtad,
    I live in central NJ. It seems to me that there is an an abundance of naturopathic, functional/ integrative doctors mostly located in NYC or somewhere in California. As close as the city is to me, it's still too far for me. I just find it overwhelming to start going into the city. Have you checked into any of the doctors? Check out Suzanne Somers book, Knockout. There are doctors and professionals listed in the resources, listed by state. Let me know what you think and or what you come up with. And I'll keep researching also. I was also hoping to find others in this and similar forums who might be familiar with this test. I'm just a little surprised.
  • dtad
    dtad Member Posts: 771
    edited November 2017

    roche....IMO the reason others including myself have not heard of the test is because its non conventional. Most MOs simply do not test our hormones. I'm definitely going to look into it. Thanks so much. PS I also live in central NJ, New Providence. How about you?

  • roche
    roche Member Posts: 36
    edited November 2017
    dtad,
    Agreed. Presently, I am not under the care of a MO. I did visit one recently to ask if I should be monitored by her, being I'm not taking Tomoxifin. Doesn't seem necessary. If you learn more about the estrogen metabolism assessment, please let me know what you think. I'm taking many of the recommended supplements as I assume you do too. I live in Freehold. I lived in Union county many years ago, then Middlesex, and now Monmouth.
  • scaredashell07
    scaredashell07 Member Posts: 143
    edited November 2017

    I am in cranford Nj and would be interested in finding out what naturopaths are available in this area