A viral email called “Cancer Update from John Hopkins” is still making the rounds. You’ve probably seen it, claiming that cancer is a result of nutritional deficiency that can be resolved with diet and supplements.
It negates the value of standard medical cancer treatments, like chemotherapy and radiation, because of damaging effects on the body. Other outrageous claims follow, including: “cancer is a disease of the mind, body, and spirit.”
This urban legend has been circulated so often that Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center finally debunked the email on its website, explaining that there are 11 million cancer survivors in the US thanks to traditional chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation.
As one of those survivors, I believe I’m alive today, after 22 years with ovarian cancer and two years with breast cancer because of medical intervention. Yes, a healthier lifestyle is essential to survival because the stronger our bodies, the better the journey. But, diet and nutrition support my treatments, not replace then.
I know of many cancer patients who chose alternative measures in lieu of proven cancer treatment, then discovered too late that they were wrong. Unfortunately, they were no longer able to benefit from the medical options.
It’s preposterous to think that cancer is a disease of the mind, body and spirit. I represent thousands of people with cancer who have nothing wrong with their mind or spirit. Cancer, according to the real doctors at Johns Hopkins, is a disease caused by genetic alterations. Some cancers occur because of behaviors (smoking, sunburn, toxic exposure) but not because of mental or spiritual issues. The notion is absurd.
I practice a holistic approach to my health, augmenting medical treatments with nutrition, exercise and spirituality. I commit myself to positive thinking and living a life of gratitude. And, I stay connected to credible sources about my disease.
If you have cancer, you can’t afford to get this one wrong.
For more information: http://www.hopkinskimmelcancercenter.org/index.cfm/cID/1684/mpage/item.cfm/itemID/1016