breast cancer and hepC HOLOSTIC TREATMENT?

How unlucky can you get right??

Well I went down for a few months this winter with chronic fatigue and started a juicing and milk thistle regiem, which helped immediately my energy was basically back to normal. Two months later I discovered a lump. It turned out to be cancer, now I have had it removed with great results, clean margins, stage 1 associated with DCIS.

I'm sure they'll want radiation and chemo because the lump was nearly 2cm. I want to refuse all chemical and radio treatment because I don't want to be sick afterwards because my liver cannot tolerate the poision.  HELP. Any Dr's ever had patients with Hep C or know anyone who can treat the cancer holistically?

I'm in NYC, ideas anyone?Is there such a thing as a holostic oncologist?.

[CCF-RN,MSN-JS]

Dear GodboX, Before making a definite decision about treatment of your cancer make sure to have all of the facts about your situation.  Have a discussion with your oncologist about the risks and benefits of treatments that are being recommended.  A treatment plan is based on each individual situation, the finding of Hepatitis C, any current damage to the liver, any other health issues are taken into account when developing the treatment plan.

[GodboX]

one more thing.

the sentinal node was clean and I discovered I had hep c only after being generally ill with sore throat and fever and body aches for a few months and asking my doctor to do every blood test there was. I could have been presenting with symptoms of cancer which they didn't find but they did find the hep c with those blood tests.

I'm very wary of doing therapy that will compromise the immune system since I believe it was only because my immune system was compromised with the HEP C that the cancer actually became invasive.

Thanks.

[surgeon]

Medical science is far from perfect: treatment of cancer has not acheived the goal of 100% cure with 0% side effects. However, it IS science: that is, what is done is constantly tested and improved based on sound principles of study and of comparison. Holistic treatment is BELIEF, not science. I've watched many people (especially women with breast cancer, which has always been the largest part of my cancer practice) die when they easily could have been cured, had they gone with standard treatments rather than alternative. That includes one woman who was cured of breast cancer using standard treatment; years later she got a new cancer in the other breast, refused treatment, went with "holistic" treatments (got a 3-day write-up in the local paper describing her diet, vitamins, etc -- her death notice was buried in the back section several months later). That is not to say all people I've treated have been cured. But the efficacy is clear. My feeling is that if a person wants to use alternative treatments as adjuncts to standard treatment, that's great. But I hate to see the chance of cure slip away based on a person's FEELINGS about her body, immune system, etc, which have no basis in fact.

[nurse12hr]

While no one really knows for sure what causes or doesn't cause cancer, you don't have to have a compromised immune system to develop it.

Please consult with BOTH an oncologist and a hepatologist (or gastroenterologist) before deciding to abandon attempts at conventional therapy.  Your liver will be well monitored during any chemo or radiation (if any are indeed necessary-you indicated on the Hepatitis forum that this was invasive DCIS).

You have an extremely good prognosis now.  It would be tragic to rely on unproven therapies only to have the cancer spread while trying to "build up your immune system".  Many people use alternative therapies to complement (not replace) conventional therapies.  

If there is anywhere in the world to find a "holistic minded oncologist" my guess is that it would be in NYC.  Ask your doctor to help you locate one.

I had invasive ductal carcinoma.  I did not and do not have a weak immune system.  I was, and am still as healthy as a horse. I don't have HepC. ANYONE can develop cancer.  

Good luck to you.

[Dulin]

Surgeon - If one had a liver transplant and has a suppressed immune system, and has metastatic breast cancer, would you still advise them to take chemo?  Thank you.

[surgeon]

That's a complex question, requiring info regarding the nature of the metastases, the hormone status, status of the liver, etc. I don't feel expert in such a  rare situation, and even with the above info, I'd hesitate to give you advice. Clearly, it needs to be worked out between the transplant team and the oncologists involved.

[hidi96]

I have same question, I have  breast canncer and had it removed 3 month ago with great results, clean margins, stage 1 associa cancer and ted with DCIS.

I will need radiation and chemo because the lump was 1.5cm
Is radiation and chemo treatment safe for hep B + and HBV DNA > 1800??
How about Adriamycin/doxorubicin

Cytoxan/ cyclophosphamide
My liver function is good so far. Is any where can found holostic oncologist?
Should I start radiation treatment before oncologist fund out how to handle my case?? I have port in arm, Is this OK for radiation??
Thanks!