- Share this website with your physician.
- In addition to your oncologist, it is strongly recommended that you also have a hematologist and an organ specialist. For example, you may have an oncologist who specializes in lung cancer, but you should also insist on a pulmonary specialist and a hematologist, making certain that together they see a complete picture of your status. Do not assume that each one knows what the other is doing.
- It is also strongly suggested that if possible you have someone who will be willing to act as your medical advocate or defender. If you are sick and/or frightened it will be extremely helpful to have someone at your side during all meetings with your doctor and other medical personnel.
- Take part is every decision about your health care. Research shows that informed patients fare better.
- Request a blood test of your serum copper and serum zinc levels. Even in those cancers where copper is not elevated, i.e. prostate, the lowering of copper to 20% of baseline will stop blood vessel formation.
- The following ‘anti-angiogenic’ drugs are available now “off-label” and therefore can be prescribed by your physician: Celebrex, Vioxx, Thalidomide, Captopril, and Galzin.
- Begin taking angiogenesis inhibitors that can be found over the counter. Green Tea, Curcumin , Genistein (found in soy isoflavones), NAC (n-acetyl-l-cysteine) have all been found to have anti-angiogenic properties.
- Choose health-care providers that routinely handle your special problems. Research shows that the more often doctors and hospitals perform a procedure, the better their patients’ outcome.
- Don’t be afraid to ask questions or raise concerns with anyone involved in your health care.
- Understand that more is not always better. Ask why a test or procedure is necessary and how it can help you.
- Ask for a copy of your lab results. Do not assume that no news is good news.
- Learn as much as you can about your condition and treatment by asking your doctor and nurse and using other sources.
Two books that are quite excellent are:
The Cancer Dictionary, by Roberta Altman and Michael J. Sarg, MD. 2nd revised edition, Checkmark Books, ISBN0816039542
Everyone’s Guide to Cancer Therapy, by Malin Dollinger, MD, Ernest H. Rosenbaum, MD and Greg Cable, Revised 3rd edition, Andrews McMeel Publishing, ISBN0836237909
Click on links below to learn more:
http://www.slip.net/~mcdavis/thalidom.html
Thalidomide and the benefits for cancer.
“Curcumin inhibits angiogenesis in vivo”
From the Ovarian Cancer Research Notebook of the National Ovarian Cancer Association of Toronto, Canada.
http://www.slip.net/~mcdavis/genistin.html
Genistein, from soy products.
http://www.guideline.gov
The National Guideline Clearinghouse offers treatment recommendations based on the latest scientific evidence.
BPC Cancer Protocol 