‘Cancer is like a sleeping lion’

Dr Ravi Kant

Cancer, the word in itself sends shivers down your spine. It spares no age, caste, creed, religion, ethnicity or socio-economic status. Its onset is secret, but pace differs in various types of cancer. When it spreads from primary lesion to other organs, it is known as metastasis. Tumour is not a synonym for cancer; it can be benign, precancerous or cancerous.

Types of cancer

Among more than 120 varieties, the basic types of cancer include Carcinoma, Leukaemia, Lymphoma, Sarcoma, Adeno-carcinoma, Blastoma, Melanoma and Myeloma. Some are fast-moving cancers while some progress very slowly. Early detection and treatment is the key to recovery. Fast-moving cancers are pancreatic, brain, liver, oesophageal and melanoma. Deadliest cancers are those of the lungs, colon, rectum, breast, pancreas, prostrate, blood, Liver and bile duct.

RISKS

• Family history of cancer
• Alcoholic drinks or sodas
• Smoking, chewing tobacco
• Type 2 diabetes
• Exposure to radioactive rays/ repeated CAT scans
• Heavy cell-phone usage
• High acid diet or hyper-acidity.
• Obesity

PRECAUTIONS

Do’s 

Eat fresh and healthy diet, devoid of chemicals, preferably organic food. Eat green vegetables, and add red and yellow bell peppers to your diet, as they contain antioxidant-rich flavonoids and lycopene; also use curcumin and lemon. Use an earpiece with your cell phone. Treat acidity and eat long before you sleep. Regular exercise and walk helps.

Don’ts

Avoid use of alcohol, tobacco, narcotics, preservatives, additives and colours in food; fatty and highly seasoned food, fried food, especially refried ones and junk food. Avoid excessive use of cell-phones and exposure to X-rays or chemicals. Avoid sunburns and exposure to UV rays to escape skin cancer.

Homoeopathy helps

In homoeopathy we believe that all tumours, benign or malignant, are treatable, until they are not meddled with; and are within reversible limits. Cancer is a sleeping lion and should not be touched, till it can be conservatively dealt with. Taking into consideration basic causes that trigger this disease - family history, habits, habitat and personality of the patient; site, consistency of tumour and discharges; nature of pain; a physician can select curative remedy for the patient. 

In advanced or post-surgical cases of cancer, palliative medicines can also be given. Homoeopathic medicines can help in stopping recurrence in patients; and also prevent cancer in siblings and children of cancer patients, after proper case-taking and individualisation. After treatment, bad effects of chemo and radio-therapy are also treatable. There is a vast list of medicines, from which we can select, oral as well as local applications. Medicines for convalescing patients are helpful in regaining health, weight and appetite.

(Dr Kant is a Chandigarh-based homeopath)