10 Questions to Ask Your Doctor BEFORE Accepting Radiation

twinkly

A recent study done at UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center (this link mentions the study a few paragraphs into the article http://www.cancer.ucla.edu/Home/Components/News/News/896/ and this link discusses the findings in more detail http://weeksmd.com/2012/02/radiation-generates-cancer-stem-cells-from-cancer-cells/ ) found radiation actually induces (leads to) breast cancer cells to form more tumors. Plus, malignancy in radiation treated breast cells was likely to be 30 times more probable. Radiation actually promotes malignancy in cancer cells instead of killing them, and it allows cancers to grow back with even greater force.

The researchers reported that radiation treatment transforms cancer cells into treatment-resistant breast cancer stem cells (CSCs), even as it kills some of the cancerous cells within a tumor. While radiation appears to target cancer cells and can regress tumors, this is only in the short-term, before the tumors regrow with a vengeance.

Other research has indicated that cancer stem cells are involved with treatment failure. In fact, awareness of CSCs goes way back to around 1910, though the term wasn't used then. As with chemotherapy, numerous researchers have found that radiation does not kill all of the cancerous cells within the tumor. The cancer stem cells are left behind. Plus, the radiation actually turns normal cells into cancer stem cells. Thus creating cells that are resistant to treatment and which can go on to produce more tumors.

When is Radiation Therapy Cancer Treatment Beneficial?

Radiation therapy can be useful for palliative care. For example, it is often used as a method to control pain or manage other quality of life symptoms. But the theory that radiation is curative has clearly been challenged.

BEFORE you schedule any radiation therapy appointments to treat your cancer, here are some very important questions you need to ask your doctor. These questions are meant to empower you to take control of your health and have a clear understanding of the cancer treatment being offered.

1.What is the goal of the radiation for my cancer? Is this a cure or a short term solution?

2.What will your proposed treatment do to my cancer stem cells?

3.How will you support my immune system during treatment?

4.How will you protect my heart, lungs, and/or other organs from the radiation?

5.How will this treatment change the cancer environment: will it only kill some of the cancer cells and leave me vulnerable if/when the cancer stem cells go on to create more cancer?

6.What is your opinion on taking antioxidants and other supplements during treatment?

7.How will radiation affect my risk of distant relapse, which has a much higher rate of recurrence (30%) than the 10-15 percent of patients with stage I or II who will develop a local recurrence? In light of the risk of the radiation creating more cancer, how will this radiation treatment benefit me?

8.What lifestyle changes will I need to make to improve the outcome of the radiation treatment and protect my body during treatments?

9.Will a planning CT (CAT scan) be required to determine the area to be treated? Will I require more than one of these scans which inherently subject me to even more radiation?

10.Would you give this same treatment to your wife or children, and if not, what would you recommend for them? Would you do it yourself?

Questions and information found on https://thetruthaboutcancer.com/questions-before-radiation-therapy/?gl=582832926&mpweb=144-1693854-656555783

MelissaDallas

From the study article on WeeksMD:

"What is really exciting about this study is that it gives us a much more complex understanding of the interaction of radiation with cancer cells that goes far beyond DNA damage and cell killing," Pajonk said. "The study may carry enormous potential to make radiation even better."

Pajonk stressed that breast cancer patients should not be alarmed by the study findings and should continue to undergo radiation if recommended by their oncologists.

"Radiation is an extremely powerful tool in the fight against breast cancer," he said. "If we can uncover the mechanism driving this transformation, we may be able to stop it and make the therapy even more powerful."

twinkly

It's important to know that if I choose to take radiation, I may have a larger likelihood of the cancer becoming metastatic down the road. How much more of a likelihood? This is most likely very subjective, depending on many variables (diet, environmental considerations, mental and emotional considerations, etc.).

So....it helps to understand

- do radiation treatments represent a compelling enough result to justify the potential creation of more cancer stem cells?

- what happens if the cancer does return?

THIS is where we can do some significant research, and the answers we get may help to define the initial choices we make.

- for instance, can we radiate the same place twice?

No, not normally. I found this out when my surgeon told me that an alternative to a lumpectomy and radiation was to have a lumpectomy, but take larger margins. He said that statistically, these two treatment options to have similar outcomes. Is this well known? I don't know.

And to radiate the same place twice, the radiologist first needs to calculate how much radiation you've had in the past....because this radiation stays in your tissues indefinitely Different body cells tolerate different amounts of radiation. The maximum dose of radiation will depend on the area of the body being treated. Doctors consider the maximum dose when planning treatment. Once an area has received the maximum dose, it may not tolerate any more radiation. Therefore, having radiation therapy in the past may limit the amount of radiation a person can safely receive in the future.

Knowing all of this before you make the decision to receive radiation therapy is important to the entire decision making process. And let's not kid ourselves. Radiation is a toxic poison in our bodies that can have very real and lasting consequences to our quality of life.

twinkly

....some further thoughts:

1. If radiation converts non stem cell cancer cells into cancer stem cells (which is the outcome of the study mentioned above) is it in my best interests to create a greater chance of metastasis down the road? This intensely personal decision requires we have answers to the questions that we need to ask before deciding on radiation therapy.

2. If chemotherapy is statistically verified to give me a 1.5% chance to live 5 years or longer (https://www.burtongoldberg.com/home/burtongoldberg/contribution-of-chemotherapy-to-five-year-survival-rate-morgan.pdf ) then will this statistic be affected or even reduced further if radiation has indeed created more cancer stem cells?

3. What are the alternative choices to chemo and/or radiation?

This is the kicker.

We're not given any other choices. Big pharma has made it illegal to treat cancer in any way other than 1. radiation, 2. chemotherapy and 3. surgery. To top it off, our doctor's education primarily consists of when and how to prescribe pharmaceutical drugs. Period. Yet, petroleum based pharmaceutical drugs are the 4th leading cause of death in the world - as the Harvard School's Centre of Ethics reported here http://ethics.harvard.edu/blog/new-prescription-drugs-major-health-risk-few-offsetting-advantages

5. And big pharma has taught us that anything OTHER than pharmaceuticals is quackery and hasn't any integrity whatsoever. In fact, we end up believing that we are putting our very lives in danger if we don't embrace the radiation and/or chemo treatment.

6. The fear of this diagnosis is continually fed, because we're told there is no cure for cancer. And those people who somehow achieve a cure, are completely ignored and discounted.

7. One year after my stage 4 diagnosis, my pain, inflammation and discomfort went away (this is saying a lot, because the bone metastasis was becoming excruciating). The only medication I was taking was medical marijuana. I also meditated every day and completely changed my eating habits....all of which contributed to my new level of wellness and quality of life. My onc said she wishes they would study people like me to find out 'why' their cancer symptoms just disappear. But why would they? It would dry up profits to actually find a cure. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3538397/

Because our decisions are so intensely personal, it should be okay to accept radiation, or not accept radiation. But it seems only when you go with the mainstream way of thinking, and accept radiation therapy, that you are accepted....then you are part of a greater collective of people who have made the same decision. But don't deceive yourself. Cancer, however we choose to treat it, via mainstream, naturally, or a combination of both, is a difficult road to walk on.

Cancer teaches us how important our moments are....and if we learn how to fill our moments with the purity of love, joy, forgiveness and laughter - in spite of our fears, we are truly blessed, and given the humility to accept and redefine our expectations of this life we are gifted with.

twinkly

Why was this moved to the alternative section? It's completely relevant for those considering radiation treatment....and should be included in the 'before, during and after' radiation treatment section. If this site truly has people's best interests at heart, why not allow people to make up their own minds when presented with information that doesn't necessarily support big pharma's profit stream....unless this forum is owned and operated by big pharma, then their actions are understandable.

Leia

I was diagnosed with a 2cm IDC breast cancer in summer, 2006; They tried to force this whole breast radiation on me; I refused. 10 years ago.

In 2016, I'm doing GREAT. No recurrence.

Although, I didn't just do nothing. I went on the FOCC in January, 2009. When I was diagnosed with ANOTHER breast cancer. Which was just a false positive biopsy. I wrote about it extensively in January, 2009. Right here, look it up if you want to. My prior posts.

My point now? We can take active steps to prevent breast cancer. Like the FOCC, which is my choice. But there are many other choices

I refuse these conventional treatments. Radiation and chemotherapy CAUSE cancer.

I don't know why anyone would choose these treatments. When you could just choose to eat better and supplement your body with the nutrients it needs to fight invading cells like cancer, naturally.

It's worked for me, for 10 years. And it will for the rest of my life.

I have never felt better in my 62 years of life.

The best decision I ever made, refusing that whole breast radiation.

ChiSandy

Just a word of warning: whether it’s about medicine, religion, or politics, when you see a book or website claiming to impart “the truth about” anything......run the other way. Anyone claiming to have all the answers hasn’t a clue.

fleur-de-lis

I am a person for who excessive radiation, whether from treatment protocols or testing is contra- indicated.

I have a immune deficiency "Common Variable Immune Deficiency" which is a B and T cell deficiency or malfunction. I receive sub-q gamma globulins ( from pooled blood donors) every week.

When I contacted the NIH, NCI, and Organization for Rare Disorders....I was sent academic papers which backed this......most doctors do not know this....my Hemotologist, when asked about it, said CVID patients are treated with the same doses of chemo, and the same level of rads as other patients

No.They. Are .Not! In all fairness, female CVID patients are 1 in 50,000, while male patients are 1 in 30,000.

There are two genes known to contribute to the development of this condition that are germ-line, there are also probable somatic mutations involved.

When I presented this to my radiologist, she placed it in my medical records...she is aware of my health issues, as her husband is my ENT!

Moral of the story....practice due diligence and do your homework based on your own personal situation

Remember, research the relative benefit versus the absolute benefit of any treatment protocol

kittysister

After my mammogram, before I was even biopsied and officially dx'd, I was told to "stay off the internet". I knew nothing, absolutely nothing about BC. And of course, this website is included in the internet. Why would they tell me this, I thought back then .. and now I can officially question .. for my benefit or theirs?

exbrnxgrl

Kittysitter,

I think the caution when it comes to Internet searching has more to do with the fact that there's a lot of bad, unsubstantiated information on line. Also, when reading about your symptoms or bc in general, many people begin to self diagnose or incomplete info. Any good doctor will not mind if you research and ask questions, but remember that anyone can post anything on the Internet, but that does not make it true!

On another note, I had radiation to a single , asymptomatic bone met. That was a bit over 5 years ago. The met is inactive and I've had no progression, nor any other negative effects from the rads. I am very grateful that the technology exists and benefitted me.

Fitzi

I agree with your thought Twinkly. Just been diagnosed with Solid papillary and invasive carcinoma grade 2. I know my doctor will advise radiation and hormone inhibitor drugs. Have been researching and really want to go down the alternative route after reading up. I have an appointment tomorrow so am gathering info to that effect.

I noticed your post and want to tell you about a friend of mine who lives in Sydney. Has BC gone to bones..has in thighs, pelvis, ribs and spine. Terminal on first discovering. Offered no solutions by Dr here, went to Germany, no solution. She started Geeron Therapy, she does positive affirmations, has Vitamin C ?? infusions twice a week at Dr, vegan and organic and other supplements. All her lesions have reduced by about 60% on average over 4 months. She is happy and positive. I admire her so much but she had no other choice but the alternative route. Food for thought!!

obsolete

I consider this informative thread one of the most enlightening & valuable on BCO. Thank you, Twinkly. Several years ago I had refused radiation for DCIS w/infiltration (left side). This 2012 study was the primary reason. Refused RT a 2nd time for missed Invasions following an auto accident that had caused blood clots in lungs. No thank you, Tamoxifen! This 2012 UCLA study offers a wealth of information. The 3 rad once I consulted didn't want to know about the UCLA study. Why???

Doctors fear legal ramifications if BC protocols are not followed. Cancer industry is funded by those institutions calling the shots and supplying the $$$. Follow the money...always.

Fitzi, there's a valuable alternative thread on BCO regarding a combo melatonin & resevratrol medical study as an aramotase inhibitor (similar to generic femara) in vitro. Welcome to BCO, but sorry you have a reason to be here. Please consider 2nd opinions valuable with these odd BC variants we have. Best wishes.