Treatment for Cancer in Markham

2) Alternative Method (Traditional Chinese Medicine)

The Cause of Cancer in TCM Theory:

The ultimate reason for the formation of abnormal growth of cells (cancer) is complex and still unknown in modern medicine. According to the principles of TCM theory and the analysis of clinical data, there are internal and external causes. Internally is the emotional trauma. Externally are the 6 external factors such as wind, cold, summer heat, dampness, dryness, and fire. I have to explain the old terminology of dampness, heat, and fire. They are also caused by living organisms such as viruses, bacteria, or chemical factors. The phenomenon of heat and fire is caused by the human’s defense mechanism as well as the climate of different seasons and geographical regions. The extremity of seven emotions may disturb the normal “qi” (vital energy) and blood. When you are angry, the qi will move upward; when you are happy, it moves slowly; when you are sad, it disappears; when you hesitate, it will stagnate; when you have fear, it will go downward; when you are frightened, it is in a mass; when you are cold, it moves inwards; when you feel hot, it leaks; when you are exhausted, it is used up. Basically, qi stagnation can easily lead to blood stagnation. The term “blood” means all the cells with fluid. Quantitative changes can lead to qualitative changes and vice versa. In the human body, the quantity represents the qi and the quality represents the blood. When the internal and external factors meet, the tumor will be formed. For instance, breast cancer is due to emotional changes, such as depression, hesitation, and worry. This will block the qi in the channels and collaterals. Osteoma is due to the injury of kidney qi through excessive desires or fear. The “stagnated fire” from kidneys burns up the nutrition of bones and hence forms the tumor which is as hard as a rock and mobile. Besides the internal and external causes, the irregular lifestyle, improper food habits, excessive drinking, lack of nutrition, over nutrition, abnormal sexual lifestyle (such as excessive or lack of sexual activity) can also cause cancer (abnormal growth of cells).

For example, excessive sexual activity can burn out kidney yin; this will cause uprising of liver fire. Lack of normal sexual activity can cause prostate and ovarian cancer.

The Prevention of Cancer “carcinoma”

Malignant tumors are dangerous to human life. Therefore people should be aware of prevention against carcinogenic factors:

1. Maintain emotional stability
2. Avoid air pollution
3. Proper rest and exercise
4. Avoid excessive alcohol intake
5. Quit smoking
6. Food should not be over baked, avoid smoked meat and fish, and eat as little as possible. Cut down animal fats and pickled vegetables. Food condiments, additives, and dyes contain carcinogens. Meat and fish should not be overcooked or burned, for meat contains tryptophan protein chromogenic which may change into a carcinogen once it is burned. In TCM, BBQ and burned food can cause toxins. Avoid those preservatives. In TCM theory, you will be safe if you harmonize with nature. If you fight against nature, it will be dangerous. I personally believe bad luck will come. Vegetables, such as carrots, radish, Chinese cabbage, spinach, leek, tomato, bean sprout, peas, potato, and asparagus contain an enzyme which destroys nitrosamine and prevents tumor formation. In carrots and radish, there is lignin which increases phagocytose by two to three times. Raw garlic intake is very beneficial. A high fibre diet of vegetables and grains helps bowel movements and helps prevent cancer. Fruit and green tea are also good because they decrease the absorption of carcinogens in the urinary bladder. TCM believes most fruit has a cooling effect. This is the general concept. Boiled, stewed, and steamed food is desirable for cancer patients but not dry and hard food. Anything that contains a rich source of vitamin C and E can accelerate cell division and prolongs cell life. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy can produce undesirable reactions such as poor appetite, malnutrition, deficiency of vitamins and proteins, anemia, weight loss and emaciation. Chemotherapy can also cause proliferation of intestinal epithelium, diarrhea, disturbance of enterocinesia, and enteroparalysis. After radiation of areas of the oral cavity and laryngopharynx, salivary secretion becomes so greatly reduced that the patient may develop stomatitis, xerostomai, laryngopharyngitis, and esophagitis. Swallowing and chewing will become difficult. TCM considers saliva as gold and jade fluid, which means a very valuable body fluid. Abdominal radiation can cause enteritis and disturbance of the intestine. Edema can be formed as a result. Warm fluid and semi fluid are given to them so as not to induce stimulation. At the very end, the entrance of a cancer toxin into the blood affects absorption and digestion, and finally leads to malnutrition. In TCM, the patient cannot survive without the appetite; we use the word “stomach” to describe the situation. The whole digestive system and the normal activity of the lung create vital qi. That’s why there is an old saying, when there is stomach, the patient will survive; no stomach, no survival. Actually the word “stomach” means appetite because TCM is based on macro science.
7. Balance yourself: According to TCM theory, human beings basically have 6 different types. Under the category of yin and yang, there are 3 yin types: lesser yin, medium yin (Jueyin), and greater yin. In the yang type, there are lesser yang, medium yang (yangming), and greater yang. The yin type of people needs to have more physical activity to activate the yin. The yang type of person should do more calming activities, but basically good physical activity such as long distance walking is good. It must be over an hour with shoulders dropped and easy steps. According to TCM theory, the balanced person is one who enjoys good health and longevity.

Traditional Chinese Medicine theory is one of the great valuable healing techniques. According to all the ancient theories, there are different names for cancer, such as accumulation, stone, yin pimple, and yang pimple. My personal viewpoint is an integration of all the techniques with holistic methods; we will achieve holistic results because we cannot isolate the human body and the cancer cells will not stay in one part or one system of the body. In the treatment method, I have to compromise:

1. Proper herbal TCM formula:

• There is not one formula for all types of cancer, and the formulas need to be changed according to different types of tumors. For instance, if A and B persons have tumors, they both have swelling but B’s tumor is red in color, which we can see visually. We call A person’s tumor a yin tumor and B person’s tumor a yang tumor. Even though they are in the same location, we have to use two different formulas because yang tumors have a stronger defense mechanism as B person has a stronger immune system. In TCM theory, we say B person is a person with strong qi. In this case, B person is easier to treat than A person. A person’s tumor would be difficult to treat because the tumor has no redness, which is the indication of low immune system. Some of the Chinese herbs can be poisonous and the dosage applied must be very accurate and small. Also, we have to consider the legal situation of different states and provinces. There are some minerals such as “arsenolite.” Between 0.1 – 0.2 g of arsenolite can kill a person, but it can be used to treat leukemia. There is an old saying in TCM theory, for any medicine such as stone and metal, once we hit the disease, we have to stop. Generally speaking, according to research from the Chinese scientists in China, when the cancer cells absorb the active ingredients from TCM medicine, the cancer cells would die but it would not damage the normal cells. It is different from chemotherapy that would kill all the cells and the side effect is very powerful.

2. Herbal wrap:

• It is a mixture of herbal ingredients. The treatment strategy is also based on yin and yang tumors, as well as which energy channel they belong to or which part of the human body are affected. With an external herbal wrap and internal intake, it will have a stronger effect.

3. Acupuncture:

• There are 2 kinds of needle manipulation techniques. For example, if we refer to yin tumor and yang tumor, for yin tumor we have to use a reinforcing technique; for yang tumor, we have to use a reducing technique. But it will be effective only if it happens in the superficial area such as the skin surface or the four limbs because of the obstruction in the channel. Once the tumor grows in the organ, it would be difficult and would not be effective with acupuncture treatment.

4. Moxibustion:

• It can apply to the situation of yang deficiency or qi deficiency in the human body.

5. Ear pellets or herbal seed:

• This is for external application for cancer victims. They have to massage those pellets or seeds on the external surface of the ear which is related to the organ. This can also enhance the therapeutic effect of cancer treatment with no side effects because of the theory of self-adjust mechanisms like acupuncture. It is very safe.

6. Qi Gong (Meditation):

• This is also very effective. The patient has to cooperate with the doctor and train every day at different times or any time. You also have to find a TCM doctor who really knows Qi Gong, not a “charlatan.” There are some situations when the patient cannot calm down and concentrate on their mind; I would advise them to use a biofeedback machine, which was originally invented by an American who got the idea and learned from a Japanese meditation teacher. That Japanese teacher learned qi gong from a Chinese martial artist.

7. Tui Na Massage:

• Massaging with a special herbal formula can alleviate some of the pain of cancer patients, which is also a way to enhance the therapeutic effect, but not an effective way to treat cancer.

8. Diet:

• The TCM doctor has to collect information of the patient’s diet because certain kinds of food, like BBQ meat and fish, can create heat and toxins according to TCM theory. In modern medicine, the scientists have already found out that BBQ meat can create a chemical substance called nitrosamine which can form cancer cells. Food condiments, additives, and dyes contain carcinogenic nitrosamine. In TCM theory, because of the macro approach concept, we use the word “burned food.” Very often, the burned food cannot be eaten, especially if someone has yang tumor.

9. Lifestyle:

• Certain emotional stages can also cause cancer. Based on TCM theory, if a person is not happy with a marriage, the couple will fight all the time. It can create qi stagnation, and qi stagnation can easily lead to blood stagnation, which is the fundamental cause of cancer in TCM. If someone works in an unhappy or stressful environment, then they have to leave the situation.

10. Emotion Therapy:

• Emotion therapy such as positive thinking can also enhance the therapeutic effect of cancer treatment.

Self-help and Treatment

People ask me what to do if they live far away from me. I have some good key advice for you!

1. Walking exercises: Drop your shoulders relax and yourself and walk slowly for one hour every day.
2. Garlic intake: The best garlic is the one with purple skin. Peel off the garlic skin, crack three cloves of garlic, and swallow with water after each meal.
3. Water therapy: The water can be soaked with Stalactitum which looks like ginger in shape. It contains certain microelements which prevent and treat cancer. Cancer victims can put 60 grams of Stalactitum into 2 liters of water and drink daily or they may make tea with it. People can also take 10 to 30 grams of Stalactitum powder every day. Stalactitum is laid in a well or spring about 35cm thick.
4. Positive thinking: Cancer victims must keep happy most of the time. Try to go out, talk to your friends, make new friends and have some fun; depression is a destructive energy!
5. Rest: Rest is good therapy, especially when someone is overstressed or overworked!