Alternative Cancer Treatments: An Overview

1. Hoxsey Therapy

History:

• Promoted by Harry Hoxsey in the early 20th century.
• Traced back to an alleged herbal remedy discovered by Hoxsey’s great-grandfather.
• Faced significant opposition from established medical bodies.

Methodology:

• Internal tonic: Uses herbs like licorice, red clover, and burdock root.
• External applications: Includes antimony trisulfide, talc, and zinc chloride.

2. Laetrile (B17)

History:

• Gained popularity in the 1970s as an alternative cancer treatment.
• Derived from amygdalin, a natural substance found in raw nuts and fruit seeds.

Methodology:

• Said to release cyanide when encountering a specific enzyme in cancer cells, thereby destroying them.

3. Gerson Therapy

History:

• Developed by Dr. Max Gerson in the 1930s.
• Initially created as a treatment for migraines, it later evolved as a cancer treatment.

Methodology:

• Focuses on organic foods, raw juice diets, coffee enemas, and various supplements.

4. Budwig Protocol

History:

• Developed by Dr. Johanna Budwig in the 1950s.

Methodology:

• Diet that combines flaxseed oil with cottage cheese. Claims that this combination promotes cell health.

5. Essiac Tea

History:

• Originated from an Ojibwa tribe formula in Canada.
• Popularized by Rene Caisse (Essiac is Caisse spelled backward) in the early 20th century.

Methodology:

• A combination of herbs including burdock root, sheep sorrel, slippery elm, and Indian rhubarb root.

6. Shark Cartilage

History:

• Became popular in the 1990s as a result of claims it could stop the growth of new blood vessels, thus preventing tumors from growing.

Methodology:

• Consumed as a supplement.

7. Ozone Therapy

History:

• Has roots in the early 20th century.
• Used in various treatments, including cancer.

Methodology:

• Involves introducing ozone gas into the body. It’s believed to improve the cellular utilization of oxygen, potentially hindering cancer growth.

8. Hyperthermia

History:

• Recognized for centuries, with ancient records noting that fevers could lead to cancer remissions.

Methodology:

• Exposes body tissue to high temperatures. The idea is that heat can boost the effects of radiation and harm cancer cells.

9. Immuno-augmentative Therapy

History:

• Developed in the 1970s by Lawrence Burton.

Methodology:

• Focuses on blood serum proteins to boost the immune system’s ability to fight cancer.

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