Description and The Resource Guide - Contents

From discussions of coping with the initial shock of diagnosis to assessments of leading mind-body therapies, this book is designed to be a comprehensive overview of topics essential to increasing survival odds. It includes treatments, complementary therapies, latest developments, commentary, organizations, and resources pertinent to surviving cancer.

This guide also contains my opinions. I am candid in my assessments because I know you don't have time to waste. You need to know what is worthy of your attention and what is not. I am committed to providing useful information in as simple and direct a manner as possible. You must judge what is relevant to your situation. Just as there are many types of cancers and causes, there are many different potential solutions. Each person has the responsibility for choosing a healing program that is best for him or her. This guide, hopefully, will make this task much less difficult.

The guide has been designed to help those who want to live. It will help you make your best effort at surviving. Taking the time now to research what you can do for your cancer can save you pain, aggravation, and possibly your life. Even if some complementary therapies, like meditating or using imagery, do not appeal to you, there is much that can be done at all levels of involvement. What is important is acquiring and applying the information judiciously to deal with your specific cancer.

This guide does not break down cancers into subspecialties of individual cancers. It is a general resource guide aimed at empowering the cancer patient and family, and it will help you choose your path to healing. I have included excerpts from my interviews with cancer treatment and healing specialists. I specifically chose certain experts to represent the full spectrum of healing approaches. The interviews address theories and philosophies of the physical, emotional, spiritual, and psychological aspects of coping with cancer and finding a path to healing.

To increase the odds of surviving cancer, there is much to do and learn. Cancer can be a cruel teacher, but for many its lessons have led to a more satisfying life and to healing beyond their expectations. I sincerely hope the information gathered here facilitates your healing journey.

David Bognar

Contents:

Foreword by R. Michael Williams, M.D.
Preface by O'Carl Simonton, M.D.
Introduction

Part 1. Diagnosis and Empowerment

Chapter 1. Understanding Cancer
What Is Cancer?
Five-Year Survival Rates
Knowing Your Odds
Getting Informed
A New Medical Model
Interview with Albert Marchetti, M.D., pathologist, author, on Five-Year Survival Rates, Spontaneous Remissions, the Immune System, and Alternative Treatments

Chapter 2. Dealing with Cancer
The Diagnosis
Second Opinions
Multidisciplinary Second Opinions
Needle Biopsy versus Surgical Biopsy
Dealing with Doctors and Hospitals
Physician Data Query (PDQ)
Support Groups
Children and Cancer
Insurance
For Those with Limited Resources
Bills and Viatical Settlements
Research Sources and Services
Internet: Uses and Cautions
Chapter Resources
Interview with Marion Morraon Cancer Information, Second Opinions, Family Issues, and Hope

Part 2. Treatment

Chapter 3. Conventional Treatment
Testing
Testing: Anti-Malignin
Antibody Screen (AMAS) Testing: Tumor Aggressiveness
Testing: Chemosensitivity
Surgery
Timing of Breast Cancer Surgery for Premenopausal Women
Circadian Timing of Chemotherapy Delivery
Radioactive Seed Implants
Hormonal Therapies
Dealing with Side Effects
New Generation of Conventional Treatments
Photodynamic Therapy (PDT)
Angiogenesis
Clinical Trials
Noteworthy Conventional Treatment Centers
Chapter Resources
Interview with Bruce Chabner, M.D. on State-of-the-Art Treatment, Including for Older People

Chapter 4. Alternative Treatments
Choosing an Alternative Treatment
Pretesting Therapeutic Agents for Your Specific Cancer
Testing Treatment Progress
714-X
Burzynski Antineoplastons
Energy Medicine
Entelev and Cancell
Gerson Therapy
Govallo's Immunoembryotherapy
Hydrazine Sulfate
Iscador
The Kelly/Gonzalez Program
Livingston Cancer Treatment Program
Poultices
Compassionate Use: Acquiring Unapproved Therapies

Chapter 5. Complementary and Supplemental Treatments
Acupuncture
Bodywork: Massage, Reflexology, and Acupressure
Chi-kung or Qigong
Chinese and Western Herbal Medicine
Cleansing Techniques and Detoxification
Diet
Diet: Macrobiotics
Diet: Metabolic Programs
Diet: Organic Foods
Supplements and Vitamins: Monitoring Quality
Chlorella
Enzymes
Essential Fatty Acids
Essiac Tea
Ginseng
Haelan 851
Inositol Hexaphosphate (IP-6)
Oxygen
Polysaccharide Krestin (PSK)
Shark and Bovine Cartilage
Vitamins
Vitamins: Vitamin C
Acupuncture
Chi-kung/Qigong
Massage/Reflexology/Accupressure
Diet
Macrobiotics
Vitamins
Vitamin C
Quality of Vitamins and Supplements
Metabolic Programs
Omega-3 Oil
Organic Foods
Microwave Ovens and Irradiated Foods
Cleansing Techniques/Detoxification
Massage and Reflexology
Supplements
Shark
Bovine Cartilage
Herbal Medicine/Chinese Medicine
Essiac tea
Chlorella
PSK
Ginseng
Haelan 851
Enzymes IP-6
Oxygen
Internet Uses and Cautions
Choosing a Treatment
Chapter Resources
Interview with Berkley Bedell, former U.S. Congressman on His Experiences With Alternative Treatments for Cancer and on Setting Up the Office of Alternative Medicine

Part 3. Mind-Body Interventions

Chapter 6. Mind-Body Therapies
Neuroimmunomodulation (NIM) and Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI)
Meditation
Affirmations
Imagery
Humor
Music Therapy
Hypnosis
Interview with Joan Borysenko, Ph.D., Biologist, Psychologist, author, on Psychoneuroimmunology, Prayer, and Psychotherapy

Chapter 7. Psychological Aspects of Cancer
Committing to Live
Feelings
Resistance
Cancer Personality
Cancer and Guilt
Learning to Love Self
Finding a Therapist
Bioenergetics
LeShan Approach
Psychosynthesis
Rebirthing
Simonton Approach
Finding a Therapist
Chapter Resources
Interview with Lawrence LeShan, Ph.D., Psychologist, author on Cancer, Stress, and Fulfilling Your Dreams

Part 4. Spirituality and Mortality

Chapter 8. Cancer and Spirituality
Creating Your Reality?
Edgar Cayce
Healers
Internal Wisdom
Medical Astrology
Medical Intuitives and Psychics
Past Lives
Prayer
Spiritual Paths: A Course in Miracles
Spiritual Paths: Pathwork
Chapter Resources
Interview with Bernie Siegel, M.D., Surgeon and Author, on Self-Love and Spirituality

Chapter 9. Cancer and Mortality
Communicating
Family Response
Fear of Death
Helpers
Pain Management
Suicide
Advance Directives
Unfinished Business
Letting Go
Hospice/Choosing Where to Die
Grieving
Interview with Stephen Levine, Buddhist, Philosopher, Healer on Paying Attention, Opening the Heart, and Grieving
Conclusion: Suggestions for choosing an individual treatment pathway
Resources

E. Websites