Of the 29 books we read initially,
The Definitive Guide to Cancer – Third Edition
by Lise Alschuler
was by far the most useful
A look inside and synopsis of the book
After finding a secondary cancer under my arm in 2011, there was a prolonged search over weeks and months to find the primary cancer. As the doctors did not have all the answers quickly, I did much research myself. “The Definitive Guide to Cancer” is the best of the many books I have read on the subject.
Why do I like it so much? It is comprehensive, scientific, easy to use because it is very well organised and extremely practical. It helps you counteract the nasty side effects of chemotherapy and other cancer treatment drugs.
The authors are Lise Alschuler and Karonlyn Gazella. Lise is a qualified and experienced ND (natural physician/doctor) and FABNO (Fellow of the American Board of Naturopathic Oncology). Karolyn has many years experience as an author and publisher in natural health. Both authors have experienced cancer personally.
The illustrious editorial advisory board consists of ten highly qualified doctors in the fields of natural health, traditional western medicine as well as medical and radiology oncologists.
This book was an integral part of my treatment for cancer.
Editorial Advisory Board
Shauna Birdsall, ND – Cancer Treatment Centers of America
Alexandria Concorde, MBBS, PhD, FRSM – Concorde Initiative (UK)
Mitchell Gaynor, MD – Gaynor Oncology and Cornell University
Jeremy Geffen,MD, FACP – Geffen Visions
Heather Greenlee, ND, MPH, PhD – Columbia University
Mimi Guarneri, MD, FACC – Scripps Center for Integrative Medicine
Tina KacZor, ND – Private clinical practice
Matthew Mumber, MD – Harbin Clinic
Dan Rubin, ND, FABNO – Rubin Medical Center
Susan Ryan, DO – Rose Emergency Medical Center
Comprehensive
The first parts go through the causes of cancer and overviews of conventional, alternative, complementary and integrative treatments. The third part explains key body functions that can play a part in contributing to and in recovering from cancer. The fourth part addresses 21 specific cancers.
List of 21 Specific Cancers
- Bladder cancer
- Bone cancer
- Brain cancer
- Breast cancer
- Cervical cancer
- Colon cancer
- Esophageal cancer
- Gastric cancer
- Head and neck cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma
- Liver cancer
- Lung cancer
- Ovarian cancer
- Pancreatic cancer
- Prostate cancer
- Sarcoma (Soft Tissue)
- Skin cancer and melanoma
- Testicular cancer
- Thyroid cancer
- Uterine cancer
Table of Contents
Part 1 Understanding Cancer
- The Cancer Experience
- Causes and Diagnosis of Cancer
- Prevention Is Paramount
Part II Treatment Approaches
- Building a Strong Foundation with Diet, Nutrition, and Stress Reduction
- Treatment Approach Overview
- Supporting Your Body during Conventional Treatment
- Healing Support after Conventional Treatment
- Nutrient and Herb Interactions with Conventional Cancer Treatments
Part III Key Body Functions
- Immune System
- Inflammation
- Hormonal Influence
- Insulin Resistance
- Digestion and Detoxification
Part IV Addressing Specific Cancers
- Bladder Cancer
- ….
- Uterine Cancer
Charts showing nutrient and herb interactions with conventional cancer treatments
One of the best parts is the well laid out tables showing side effects of treatments, useful herbs and nutrients as well as substances that might interfere with treatment. The treatments included are:
- Chemotherapy drugs and their nutrient and herb interactions
- Radiation and nutrient and herb interactions
- Hormone drugs and their nutrient and herb interactions
- Targetted therapies
Example chart
List of drugs and treatments with helpful nutrients to counteract side-effects
Chemotherapy charts
The book has a chart for each of these chemotherapy drugs (trade names in brackets) showing side effects, helpful nutrients and nutrients to avoid:
- Carboplatin (Paraplatin)
- Cisplatin (Platinol, Plationol-AQ)
- Cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan, Neosar)
- Doxorubicin (Adriamycin, Doxil)
- Etoposide (VePesid or VP-16)
- Flourouracil, floxuridine, capcetibine (5-FU, FUDR, Xeloda)
- Gemcitabine (Gemzar)
- Irinotecan (Camptosar, CPT-11)
- Methotrexate (Amethopterin, Folex, Mexate)
- Oxaliplatin (Eloxatin)
- Paclitaxel, docetaxel – taxanes (Taxol, Taxotere, Abraxane)
- Topotecan (Hycamtin)
- Vinblastine (Velban)
- Vincristine (Oncovin, Vincasar PFS)
Radiation chart
- This chart shows helpful nutrients and herbs and those to avoid.
Hormone therapy charts
There is a chart for each of these hormone drugs showing potential side effects, helpful nutrients and nutrients to avoid:
- Antiestrogens
- tamoxifen
- raloxifene
- toremifene
- Aromatase inhibitors
- letrozole
- anastrozole
- exemestane
- Luteinizing hormone – releasing hormone (LHRH) agents
- leuprolide
- goserelin
- triptorelin
- Antiandrogens
- bicalutamide
- flutamide
Targetted therapy charts
These are newer therapies with less research. The charts show cancers treated, side effects and nutrient and herb considerations for:
Monocolonal antibodies:
- Cetuximab (Erbitux)
- Panitumumab (Vectibix)
- Trastuzumab (Herceptin)
- Lapatinib (Tykerb)
- Bevacizumab (Avastin)
Tyrosine kinase inhibitors:
- Eriotinib (Tarceva)
- Imatinib (Gleevec)
- Sorafenib (Nexavar)
- Sunitinib (Sutent)
Other
- Bortezamib (Velcade)
Integrative cancer care supplement guide
This is an excellent guide with a list of natural substances used in integrative care showing:
- specific cancer used for
- effectiveness rating
- trials and studies done
- comments and concerns
There is also an appendix showing dosage.
Example supplement guide
Rating system for cancer treatments
Get the book
Of the 29 books we read initially,
The Definitive Guide to Cancer – Third Edition
by Lise Alschuler
was by far the most useful
My experience with cancer gave me a very keen interest in nutrition and is what led to creating Vitamin Inspector.
Health Advice Warning
The information in this website is intended for personal interest and educational purposes and should not be construed as health advice. Read more…