“I’m sorry to inform you that the diagnosis indicates cancer.”
Words that have shattered the lives of countless loved ones, sending shockwaves of fear, confusion and desperation. The emotional toll that follows is immense: the urge to fight and overcome, the weight of despair, and the numbing fog of uncertainty.
Regardless that those words were never aimed directly at me, their impact deeply affected me all the same, as multiple loved ones of mine have faced such a prognosis. My older sister Kalima Abdurrahman was the first person in my immediate family to fight cancer. Being her primary caretaker for the last three months of her life was a painful yet enlightening experience. She would often encourage me to share things we discovered while researching healthy weapons to assist her on her journey. I wasn’t writing health and wellness articles at that time, so this article is an extension of my sister’s desire to help others on their healing journey.
Image credit: Kaba Abdul-Fattaah
For many, chemotherapy and radiation are the logical go-to choices once diagnosed. However, the side effects can be pure carnage on patients.
Let’s take a closer look at chemotherapy and radiation, as well as some ways to incorporate naturopathic ways to offset some of the side effects of the two toxic tonics. For the record, I am not qualified to determine whether chemotherapy and radiation are the best option for someone or not. I only know how some, including my older sister, have suffered while undergoing those treatments.
The History
Spawned from war, chemotherapy and radiation have a complex history.
Nitrogen mustard, a chemical warfare agent, was developed in the 1940s to inflict severe damage on enemy troops. It was designed to blister skin, burn lungs and suppress immune cells. However, researchers discovered that its immune-suppressing properties could be harnessed to treat cancer, leading to the development of alkylating agents, the first chemotherapy drugs. Radiation therapy originated from Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen’s discovery of X-rays in the late 1800s. During World War I, X-rays were used to locate shrapnel and bullets in wounded soldiers. Later, radiation was used to sterilize medical instruments and, in some cases, irradiate enemy troops. Both treatments evolved from wartime technologies, with significant advancements in the 1950s and 1960s. They remain cornerstones of conventional cancer treatment, alongside newer innovations in targeted therapies, immunotherapies and precision medicine.
The Cost of Treatment
My sister faced a grueling combination of chemotherapy and radiation. The physical and emotional challenges were relentless: debilitating fatigue, nausea, hair loss and skin burns were her constant companions and reminders of the severity of her fight. I remember my sister introduced me to the term “chemo brain,” where patients experience difficulty with concentration, memory, and mental processing, all side effects of chemotherapy that she endured. In addition to the visible and cognitive challenges, at times, patients under this treatment endured a host of incapacitating consequences: immune system suppression, mouth sores, nerve damage, hearing loss and kidney damage.
Radiation treatment brings its own devastating effects, including fibrosis, cardiovascular disease, lung disease, bone fractures, and hormone imbalances. The long-term effects of these treatments were equally troubling. Cognitive impairment, an increased risk of secondary cancers, permanent organ damage, infertility, chronic fatigue, emotional trauma and financial burden were all to be added on top of the already strenuous burden of cancer itself.
A New Approach
The lessons I learned while caring for my sister became invaluable when, just a few years later, my father found himself battling stage 4 prostate cancer.
However, this time, we chose a different path. We decided not to pursue chemotherapy or radiation.
His diagnosis was quite severe. His doctors were shocked and surprisingly angered and highly emotional when they learned that we were opting for a natural approach. They warned us that my father wouldn’t survive more than a few weeks without their treatment, though with it, he might have a few more months. Fortunately, we were able to care for my Father without chemo and radiation.
He did die.
Still, he was with us for eight blessed months, and he didn’t go through the additional struggles that go along with chemo and radiation. While this approach worked for us, each healing journey is different.
How it works?
Chemotherapy works by killing rapidly dividing cancer cells. However, it also affects healthy cells, such as bone marrow, gut lining, and hair follicles, leading to unwanted side effects. Chemotherapy can cause oxidative stress, inflammation and DNA damage, compromising the body’s natural defenses.
Our society has baked chemo and radiation into our health system, so many have chosen that route and will continue to do so. So here are some natural ways to potentially minimize the side effects and increase one’s strength and vitality while on the healing journey.
Credible Naturopathic Approaches
High-dose intravenous vitamin C has been shown to reduce chemotherapy-induced toxicity, improve quality of life, and enhance cancer treatment outcomes. Vitamin C’s antioxidant properties help mitigate oxidative stress and protect healthy cells. Intravenous glutathione supports immune function and reduces chemotherapy-related side effects. Glutathione’s antioxidant properties help alleviate oxidative stress and promote overall well-being.
Intravenous curcumin’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties help alleviate chemotherapy-induced symptoms and enhance treatment efficacy. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) involves breathing pure oxygen in a pressurized chamber, reducing oxidative stress, inflammation and fatigue. Mistletoe extract stimulates the immune system, reducing side effects and improving the quality of life in cancer patients.
Acupuncture and electroacupuncture manage pain, nausea and fatigue. Meditation and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) help to reduce stress, anxiety, and fatigue by improving overall well-being. Exercise and movement therapies like yoga, tai chi, or qigong alleviate fatigue, improve mood and enhance overall health while cold plunges, known as cold water immersion (CWI) or cryotherapy, can help to reduce inflammation, improve circulation, increase antioxidant production and enhance mental clarity.
Scientific Backing and Studies
Research has demonstrated the efficacy of these naturopathic approaches. A 2019 study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology found that high-dose IV vitamin C improved quality of life and reduced toxicity in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.
A 2018 Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine study showed that IV glutathione reduced oxidative stress and improved immune function in cancer patients. The above healthy approaches are just the tip of the iceberg. If you do a deep dive into any of the above naturopathic topics, you may be amazed at what you uncover.
This article was challenging for me to write, as it reminded me of the invisible wounds left behind when loved ones return from where they came. Recalling some of the natural healing remedies learned while in service to my older sister and father and thinking of their potential benefit to others does bring me joy.
My younger sister, Muimina Maryam, is currently on her healing journey, fighting the good fight against breast cancer. We are hopeful, prayerful, and actionful for her complete recovery.
You can see her journey and support via her page here.
*Please consult a healthcare professional before making any medical decisions.
