by Amanda Seyderhelm

Created on: March 26, 2009

When you are diagnosed with ovarian cancer there is a huge amount of information to take on board and understand quickly. When I was diagnosed in 2002 I wasn't given information about alternative treatment options, I had to research it myself. One of the best resources I discovered was by Dr Rosy Daniel, Integrated Cancer Consultant and former Medical Director of the Bristol Cancer Help Centre. She has published, The alternative cancer treatment guide together with Andrew Panton, who is a Member of the Royal Society of Chemistry with a special interest in nutritional medicine and the toxic and carcinogenic effects of chemical ingredients in personal care, cosmetics and household products This guide is part of The Cancer Lifeline Programme created by Dr Daniel.

In some cases alternative cancer treatments are used singly or in combination with other treatments. The most ideal scenario is when they form part of an integrated treatment approach, which is the approach I took. This approach involves treating the whole person and not just the affected body organ or focusing on one treatment option like detox. Integrated treatments include nutrition, vitamin and mineral supplementation, self-help techniques, mind-body techniques, psychological and spiritual support, healing arts, energy treatments, and conventional Western medicine. The idea is to nourish and support all levels of the mind, body and spirit.

The precise combination of therapies and treatments depends on each person and their particular case. Dr Daniel advises:

"Whilst it is perfectly safe for individuals to initiate the use of many of these treatments themselves, the use of more complex regimes should be supervised by a holistic doctor or alternative cancer clinic. It is also wise to take holistic medical advice prior to starting these treatments, particularly while having chemotherapy or radiotherapy, or if you are pregnant or on other medication. Any side-effects of treatment should be discussed immediately with your holistic doctor."

The alternative cancer treatment guide covers the following treatments:

Anti-cancer nutrients (for example: antioxidant formulations, multi-mineral formulations, flaxseed oil)
Herbal extracts and plant derivatives (for example: Aloe Vera, Carctol, Essiac, Garlic, Green Tea, Noni juice, and Tumeric)
Anti-cancer substances (for example: natural progesterone)
Adrenaline therapy
Vaccine therapies
Physical support therapies (for example: detoxification and colonic irrigation)

The alternative treatments I opted to use were ones which I could easily integrate into my life. This was important as I was extremely tired from chemotherapy, so I used several herbal extracts in my food plan and cooking: flaxseed oil, which is delicious added to salads, and garlic and tumeric which I added to soups. I drank Noni juice every morning, and green tea as often as I could. It has a bitter taste to begin with, but I now drink it all the time, and enjoy it. I also used a natural progesterone cream.

Before trying any alternative therapy I highly recommend consulting an integrated holistic cancer doctor, and there is an international listing in the Resource Directory of this guide. Alternatively, you can visit www.healthcreation.co.uk. Dr Daniel has trained a team of health coaches who will guide you through these options and ensure that you make the right decision for yourself.

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