Each month Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in NYC features a different herb in their ‘About Herbs’ series. This month it is cannabis, and you can read more here .
AnCan’s Board endorses medical marijuana for symptomatic and palliative use. In the context of cancer, we do not believe it is any way curative despite the many particpants in our groups over the years who have suggested that high doses of CBD, Simpson Oil, cannabinoid suppositories and goodness knows what else cure human cancer. The evidence is NOT there at this time – and to argue that clinical trials are impeded because medical marijuana is not federally legal ignores the evidence from the rest of the world. We only wish 10% of the money spent by these particpants on trying to ‘cure’ themselves of PCa with MMj would have been donated to AnCan.
Elsewhere on our website, AnCan features three webinars on medical marijuana/cannabis; while found with our prostate cancer resources, they are pan-cancer in nature. You will find all 3 at https://ancan.org/prostate-cancer-resources/ under Complementary Medicine. (Editor’s choice is the Donald Abrams webinar – Dr. Abrams runs the UCSF Complementary Osher Center, is Chief Oncologist at Zuckerberg SF General, and is nationally recognized for his expertise on medical marijuana.)
Loss comes from many sources …not losing a loved one alone. How we, as men, grieve a loss can be complex and insufficient. I note how this author is still wrapped in deep mourning after several years … despite his own tips.
Our thanks to John Novack, our buddy at Inspire, who sent this article that appeared on the nextavenue website.
This week our low/intermediate prostate cancer lead moderator – and AnCan Board Chair! – Peter Kafka reminds us that complementary medicine is exactly that …. complementary to conventional Western protocols. Relying on complementary and alternative can have tragic consequences.
We at AnCan fully support the use of complementary and natural medicine when combined with conventional treatments. We do not endorse alternative medicine (rd)
SEVEN CAN BE YOUR LUCKY / UNLUCKY NUMBER
The New Year began with a message on my phone informing me of the passing of a friend. Never good news, but for those of us in the Prostate Cancer community it is always a poignant reminder of just how deadly this disease can be. My thoughts always go to; “what more could I have done?”.
When I first met this man a couple of years ago, he had just been diagnosed as a Gleason 7 (4+3). He had always been a staunch believer in natural and alternative medicine. Now faced with a diagnosis of cancer he found his way through mutual friends to me. I encouraged him to get more information, a second opinion and a 3T-Mp-MRI and a follow up with a local radiation oncologist. He kind of followed these suggestions reluctantly and in his own way, but didn’t really heed the warnings and decided that he would seek alternative, non-medical treatments.
I kept in touch with this person over the past two years, checking in from time to time. I last saw him about two months ago and he was struggling because his disease had progressed substantially, yet he still adamantly refused medical intervention and wanted to treat it his own way. I am always really challenged in such a situation. I do my best to steer men to the best appropriate options for diagnosis and treatment, but I can’t make someone follow my direction. Men can be stubborn! I am sure I don’t need to tell you this.
Another good friend of mine who is also a Gleason 7 (4+3) took my advice and got a second opinion from Dr. Jonathan Epstein at John’s Hopkins. He also was trying to “cure” himself with an alternative regimen of hot baths, enemas and natural supplements. However, he called Dr. Epstein’s office to go over the pathology results and it happened that Dr. Epstein himself answered the telephone. My friend went over all his alternative treatment protocols on the phone. Dr. Epstein listened attentively and then said, “That’s all good, and that protocol won’t hurt. But you have to remember that your disease can kill you without medical intervention”. For this friend the message got through and he went after his prostate cancer with a radiation protocol. He is now doing just fine.
Many of you are fortunate to be diagnosed with a GL-7 ( 4+3 or 3+4) or even better a GL-6. But the fact that you are on this mailing list or checking out this website is indicative that you are wary and not taking anything for granted. Prostate cancer kills some 30,000 of us each year in the US and not all of these men are diagnosed as Gleason 8,9 or 10.
Never turn your back on this disease. Don’t be a stubborn man and convince yourself that “I know best”. I am not saying that medical intervention will cure your disease or does not come without costs, including quality of life. But early diagnosis, staying vigilant, making smart lifestyle changes and choices and seeking top quality medical expertise can all lead to a longer life in many circumstances.
So, when you roll the dice and the number comes up 7, pay attention!
Please note that any links referenced in this recording can be found in the Prostate Cancer Forum. Log in top right.
We also welcome our Advisory Board Member, Allen Edel (@TallAllen) tonight to contribute his moderation.
Topics:
No CT or bone scans prior to Gleason 9 surgery; peritoneal implants; accessing darolutamide; tragic consequences of complementary medicine alone; positive darolutamide experience; treating advanced PCa without hormone therapy; Tru-beam for spot radiation; oligometastasis radiation; pros and cons of debulking the primary tumor; treatment after enzalutamide fails.
One of AnCan’s favorite doctors, who we are privileged to name on our Advisory Board, is palliative care specialist, BJ Miller. I have had the wonderful fortune to work with BJ for 10 years or so, and know first hand how he has provided lifesaving support to a number of our participants treated at UCSF, both physically and mentally!
BJ is an extraordinary physician with an equally extraordinary story. He is a triple amputee – prior to med school, and if you listen to his interview today with Terry Gross on NPR’s Fresh Air you will learn how that career decision came about.
What Terry failed to mention is that BJ’s Ted Talk has very nearly 10 million views since first being posted in 2015 – now that’s remarkable in itself! He has just published a new book with Shoshana Berger, A Beginner’s Guide To The End that I am currently reading.and recommend.
As we all know, there is much more to mounting an offense against cancer or any other serious or chronic illness than just pharmacotherapy or radiation or surgery. An integrated approach that combines traditional medical interventions with lifestyle changes such as exercise, diet, yoga and meditation practice can play a vital role in strengthening our mind, body and spirit.
The attached document is a compilation of many online resources (graciously shared by Kevin Berrill, LCSW, at Ann’s Place in Danbury, CT) that offer mostly free access to computer and smartphone apps offering help with the practice of Mindfulness and Mindful Meditation. It includes resources for all levels of practice, some guided, some with music, some with both.
One of my favorites is called Insight Timer (https://insighttimer.com/) that has hundreds of free recordings to help you practice meditating, relaxing, gratitude, and sleep, to name a few. They can be anywhere from a few minutes long to over an hour, depending on the time you have available.
