Chemo or Alternate Medicine

Hello Dr.

My Mom recently had a surgery and Pathology report showed Fallopian Tube Cancer II C.  The doctor removed everything and now suggesting to start with Chemo but my mom does not think it is neccessary, she think by going into alternate medicine like herbs, fresh juices would help her.  She is only 54 years old and I do not want her to make a wrong decision.  In your experience, what is the survival rate for patients with this type of cancer

[Anna-maria74]

This is the patient to patient forum I think you wanted to put this in the doctor forum. You may have to keep trying as it does get kinda busy in there. In the mean time I would say chemo might be a more suitable option than herbs and juices. By all means do both but I think that opting for alternative medicine as a substitute for chemo is a bit risky.

Oh what am I saying - a bit risky - its crazy talk. As brutal as it is Chemo is the most effective treatment for cancer at this time and anything else has to be seen as a complimentary medicine not a substitute. Without chemo your moms chances of survival are greatly reduced (thats putting it mildly)

Anna X

[Jan214]

I have to agree with Anna.  Refusing chemo is taking a risk that I don't think either of you want to take.  I have seen a few women over the past year that refused chemo thinking they could cure it with juicing, but they are not doing very well.  If juicing was all it took we all would be doing it.  I don't know much about that particular type of cancer but most of us on here are aware of the statistics but we are not numbers we are people and for the most part ignore the stats and keep fighting this horrible disease.  Good luck to you and your mom.
Jan

[SimplyStar]

It only takes 1 cell to get loose after surgery to sit there and multiply, You can read all the "miricle" cures  on the net of certain natural things killing the cancer, but most of us take those with a grain of salt. Chemo is a rough path but it does kill cancer cells.  Stage 2 is much better than 3 and 4, but your mother is still young and  needs to really think this through. Taking certain natural suppliments is good, but most have to be taken in very large amounts with no insurance that they work.  If there were a natural substance out there that "cured" or prevented cancer, the world would know.  Have her read these posts to you. Her doctor would not have suggested chemo if he/she didn't think it would work.  Good Luck

[coogeegirl]

I have to agree with the other ladies. I have two relatives that were diagnosed with breast cancer around the same time I was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer both were recommended chemo and radiation and they refused both and have been trying to control their cancer through diet and juicing alone.

In my worst days with chemo and radiation (I have had both due to the early stage of my ovarian cancer diagnosis) I wished to myself that I could of been as brave as my cousins and taken a different path but then I realised that if it was as easy as that we all would be becoming vegans and rejecting convential therapies.

In saying that I definately believe in good diet and supplements as a means to help ourselves but as something that works hand and hand with chemo and radiation treatments not instead of them. Chemo is a tough path to take but it is the right one.

[dian07]

Your mother needs chemo....I was diagnosed at IC and I had chemo.....plain and simple...she needs chemo.  Nobody wants to take chemo but it's doable.  She needs to do it.
Peace.
dian

[rmarie]

I agree with all the other ladies.  I have researched alot of medical journals on this ovarian cancer, and the only thing that provided results is the wonderful chemotherapy.  Your mom can combine some alternative medicine stuff with it, as long as it does not interact with the chemo.  I was prepared for terrible side effects however I did not find it to be as bad as I thought.  The antinausea drugs worked great for me.  Your mom has age and lower stage on her side.  good luck to you both