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**This post has been entered in Works for Me Wednesdays at We are THAT Family!**
I fully expect that this post (even its title!) will be met with incredible disbelief and very strong opinions. Some of you, even now, may be reading this and thinking “How on earth can you not support a cure for cancer or the foundations that promote it?!” Hopefully you’ll understand my position a little better once I’m finished explaining. Some of you may even agree me (and some of you…perhaps begrudgingly!). I feel like this is a really, really important topic, though, so I’m going to write about it.
These days, “Cure Cancer” foundations are everywhere. There are all kinds of walks and other sponsorship events to raise money for a cancer cure. Many companies partner with these foundations, offering to donate a portion of their sales to the foundation. I shudder and walk away when I see this. The campaign has been referred to as “pink washing” by those who agree with me (because most of the major ones are breast cancer related), and that, sadly, is what it is.
I should note that I do believe many foundations started with good intentions. But I don’t believe many are still operating under good principles, and I also believe the money is generally misspent.
The first thing I want to look at is how these foundations actually work. When you are donating money to these causes, do you know how, where, and by whom it will be spent? That’s the first thing I want to know before donating to any charity.
Let’s look at the Susan G. Komen Foundation first, as it is probably the most well-known cancer foundation.
At this foundation, the president/CEO makes about $532,000 per year. The COO makes $332,000. Several of the other top-level employees make between $150,000 and $250,000 per year. In all, their “employee benefits and compensation” is over $22M a year. The total amount they brought in was about $159M in 2009, so this means employees received about 14% of the annual contributions. That seems awfully high to me. (This information is all from 2009 and was pulled directly from the tax forms available on their website.)
While this is probably typical of all such foundations, I don’t support the ideas that top-level employees in a charitable foundation “need” to make $500,000 per year. No one really needs to earn that much! As Ben pointed out while we were doing the research for this post, that’s more than our president makes! If you believe in the foundation’s mission, that is money that could be better spent going directly to research and programs. Top-level employees could reduce their salaries to around $100,000 and an extra $3 – $4M could go towards actual research. I’m assuming that would make a significant dent….
There’s also the problem of who organizations choose as partners. Last spring, the Komen Foundation partnered with KFC. While some might argue that a partnership is only to reach people who already patronize that organization (KFC, in this case), partnering with an organization also lends tacit support to that organization. Does eating at KFC really reduce the risk of breast cancer? Is buying a bucket of chicken in order to donate money to a cancer foundation really a good use of your money — or your nutrition?
The answer is no. KFC’s food is absolutely awful for you. MSG is among the top ingredients in all of their products. That’s why they’re so addicting! (No, I have not had KFC in many months.) A “cure cancer” foundation lending their support and even tacit recommendation to a restaurant like KFC is a terrible idea because eating that food will actually promote cancer. The organization needs to be much more selective in who it chooses to partner with. It should be an important part of any cancer organization’s mission to promote a healthy lifestyle that will hopefully not lead one down the path of cancer in the first place.
This leads to another question: where is the rest of the money spent, and what constitutes “prevention?” These ideas are related because the money is frequently spent on prevention (as well as research). Cancer foundation research has led to the following:
- Discovery of a genetic “link” that pre-disposes one towards breast cancer
- More chemo drugs and related treatments
- Increased rates of mammograms and other screening tests
These are all mainstream medicine, of course!
Does any of these things really cure cancer? I would argue no.
The discovery of a genetic link has led to two things: one, that women who find they have it are worrying quite a bit and subjecting themselves to earlier and more frequent mammograms (and probably increased stress), and two, that many women believe that if they have the gene, there is nothing they can do: they are “destined” to get cancer. This becomes a self-fulfilling prophesy, of course. Mammograms are radiation, and more exposure to radiation (earlier in life and more frequent) will lead to increased rates of cancer. Believing that one has no control over her destiny leads to making poor choices because “it doesn’t matter anyway,” which can also increase rates of cancer.
There are those rare people who decide that they are not going to let a genetic link slow them down; they make the best possible choices so that this gene will never be expressed. That is the best idea! However I know people who say “I have a family member who had breast cancer…so I’m sure I’m at increased risk!” What they don’t mention is the family member who had it had a poor diet and lifestyle! Those things are related!
Chemo drugs and other treatments are all poison. Many studies show that survival rates are not really increased, because a side effect of cancer treatments is…more cancer. People may not die of the original cancer, but they may die of the chemo treatments or an additional cancer. The younger a person is at the time of diagnosis and treatment, the more likely an additional cancer is.
Increased mammography is bad, as I mentioned above. There was a study done where two groups of women were randomly assigned to either get a mammogram every year, or every six years. It was theorized that, at the end of six years, the cancer rates should be the same in both groups (although the “every six years” group could potentially show more advanced cancers). However, the group receiving mammograms yearly showed a stastically significant increase in cancer rates. The theory is two-fold: one, that the increased mammograms were actually causing cancer; and two, that yearly mammograms diagnosed extremely early-stage breast cancer that may have regressed on its own (which does happen).
The real problem is, cancer can never be cured through finding genetic links, increasing screening, and finding new poisons with which to treat it. That is not a cure! There is no mention of ways to prevent cancer, such as eating healthier diets (even though new studies saying “broccoli prevents cancer!” “blueberries prevent cancer!” and so on are coming out constantly). The real research is just not there. It’s all about detection and drugs. Even detection is not helping. That is only finding cancers that already exist.
The true cancer cure lies in preventing it in the first place. There is no real research being done in this area. Yes, they say “eating X food prevents cancer!” but they do not really understand why. Nor will they ever recommend a diet solely of whole foods for cancer prevention. The vast majority of cancers could be prevented by changing our diet and lifestyle.
To sum it up, I refuse to support “cure cancer” foundations for these reasons:
- Overpayment of top-level salaries; less money to research
- Misguided research (money to screenings and poison; not prevention)
- Ill-chosen partnerships
So no, I will not “Race for the Cure.” I will not participate, I will not donate, I will not be involved. I will cringe internally whenever I hear people talking about this.
In the mean time, I will be seeking my whole foods lifestyle in hopes of preventing cancer. Should I be unlucky enough to get it anyway (yes, I do think some people “just get it,” but it’s a lot more rare than you think!), I will be doing research on natural cancer cures: they are out there. No, I don’t think I’m tempting the fates by writing this. No, I don’t look down on families who choose conventional treatment: I think most are scared and honestly don’t know another way. Yes, I believe our bodies can heal themselves, even of something as big as cancer!
Do you support “cure cancer” foundations? Why or why not?
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I totally agree with the financial aspects of foundations and good grief, I mean why do people need to make over $100, 000/yr. My 4 person family in SAN DIEGO (Ca is expensive) somehow lives on less than $50,000.
I have always had an issue with the survival of the fittest. Man's research and drugs and whatnot had led to disease being allowed to continue on through the generations instead of being weeded out. I know that this is controversial. We have some good friends who have MS, CF, cancer and other ailments. I would not wish for them to not be here because of their sickness, but Man has been trying to play God for some time now.
I just don't know where I stand on medical intervention. But I know if my child had something, as long as their quality of life would be good I would do everything I could to keep them alive.
Kate,
The same could be said of several non’profit, organizations. I am skeptical when I get the calls to raise money to purchase safety items for firemen, or to help children with cancer. We really do not know unless we research. Thank you for researching. We do need to have more money go into actual research, and not just debunk the natural cures because they are not Main Stream, expensive, Pharmaceutical cures.
Thank you again for the research and sharing.
Debbie
I totally agree with you! (Thank you for linking to this article in your recent post.) Have you read any research about the link between breastfeeding and lowered risk of breast cancer? I have read some interesting things about how the culture's shift to working moms who aren't breastfeeding is related to an increase in breast cancer. And the fact that Komen donates to Planned Parenthood makes me want to gag. They say the money is going to help for breast screenings, etc but who really knows?
This is such a great post. I've considered writing something similar on my blog. Did you know that Susan G Komen financially supports Planned Parenthood also!? THey give them money for mamograms, not abortions…in my opinion that is one of the worst things they could do especially with the huge association between abortions and breast cancer rates.
I so agree!!! I cringe when I see all the advertisements for Komen and all those other cancer organizations. I refuse to buy "pink washed" products on principle. When someone asks me to donate, I tell them "I'm not interested" and generally just walk away (most do NOT want to hear the truth about these organizations so why bother). Every great once in a while, someone will actually want to know why I don't support cancer research and I explain why. They are generally horrified to find out all of that as they had no idea it was such a profit driven industry that really doesn't care about the people it's supposed to be helping. Don't get me wrong. I know there are some incredibly caring (and sadly brainwashed by the industry) folks who work in the cancer industry. But the industry itself doesn't care about people. That's been proven over and over, including by the suppression of information (or rather ATTEMPTS to suppress information) about preventing cancer as well as treating it naturally and without chemo/radiation.
I think if you had ever been close to anyone who’s had cancer (in my case, my mother, grandmother, sister-in-law, mother-in-law, and cousin), you wouldn’t be so quick to dismiss chemo, drugs or screening tests. The only reason many of these people are still alive (and cancer-free) today is because they had good early screening and access to drugs. We have only to look at Steve Jobs to see what happens when cancer is left to ‘holistic’ cures.
And I really think you need to speak to a geneticist before you dismiss research into finding the genes that lead to cancer. It’s only been a few years since we’ve mapped the human genome, so it is far too early to assess what we’ve learned, and what we will learn, about the genetics of cancer. Keep in mind that cancer isn’t really one ‘disease’, anyway – cancer is just the name we give to the process whereby certain cells in our body start reproducing incorrectly. If there was a single external cause (or even multiple external causes) that invariably ’caused’ cancer, we’d know it by now. Why do some people smoke for years but never get lung cancer, while other people who’ve never smoked get lung cancer at age 42? The difference is in their genetics.
And your assertion that “there is no real research going into preventing cancer” is patently not true. There are all kinds of studies going on ALL THE TIME regarding cancer prevention – including assessing things like nutrition. Here’s just one example: http://www.cancer.org/Research/ResearchProgramsFunding/cancer-prevention-study-overviews
As for funding research, and paying the best and brightest to do it: Frankly, if they have to pay larger salaries in order to attract the best minds to work for cancer prevention, cure or treatment, then I’m fine with that. Most of the people who’ve made great advances for humanity have not been motivated by altruism anyway – they’re motivated by intellectual curiosity, the desire to change the world, even fame and fortune. And that’s okay, too – this blog wouldn’t exist if people like Bill Gates and, again, Steve Jobs, hadn’t been motivated by their own intellectual curiosity and quest for a little fame and fortune.
If you really believe that “the vast majority of cancers could be prevented by changing our diet and lifestyle,” I urge you to conduct some clinical trials which prove it, because who wouldn’t rather eat blueberries and broccoli rather than having to undergo chemo? However, I think that if it were really that simple, we’d know it already – and we wouldn’t have had cancers showing up 250, 1000, 2000+ years ago when we were, presumably, eating a healthier diet and living a simpler lifestyle.
Well put, Sarah. Totally agree with you!
You don’t have to ask her to prove that blueberries and broccoli prevent cancer. It’s a known fact that eating healthy is what your body needs. America has the highest rate EVER of all countries for cancer, and we eat worse than any other country in the world. Many forms of currently known cancers weren’t even heard of centuries ago. As our country evolves into worse and worse unhealthy eating lifestyles, the more cancer and disease spread.
(also, just to note, I am not coming against anyone personally who has had cancer or been through that horrifying experience. I have had close friends fight the fight and lose their life bc of it and I am in no way putting a blame on anyone.) I just wish so badly our country would go back to eating healthier in general instead of eating out of convenience. The closer to the ground it is, the healthier it is for our bodies!
The China Study is the largest body of research on diet and disease published to date. The main conclusion was that a plant based diet prevents 99% of “Western Diseases” (i.e. heart disease, diabetes, cancer, etc.). So, yes, eating “blueberries and broccoli” will do more to prevent cancer than any drug or other lifestyle choice. That said, prevention is the key. “Blueberries and broccoli” probably wouldn’t be a very good treatment for cancer – by then, it may be too late.
Hi Daron,
The China Study has been thoroughly debunked so I don’t count that as evidence. And no, simply eating “blueberries and broccoli” wouldn’t treat cancer. An entire lifestyle shift is required. Cancer occurs because the body is toxic and unable to clear itself. Using strong drugs to just ‘kill it all’ actually has very low survival rates for many forms and comes with serious side effects, including other types of cancer. Working to naturally detox the body and restore it to health helps it resolve cancer on its own. And I say this now…after a good friend was recently diagnosed. It is what she is doing and I trust and support her.
I have family members who had cancer — two of my aunts. So there’s that.
Steve Jobs did a combination of raw vegan (which is not what I believe is the optimal diet) and drugs. In fact, I believe he used drugs, then tried to do a “holistic” approach, but his body was too damaged to actually fight back. That’s a really poor example.
As another said, we don’t need to prove that healthy foods prevent cancer. Did 50% of people 2000+ years ago have cancer? Or even 100 years ago? Not even close. There was always an odd person with cancer, but I believe that in 1 in 10,000 cases (or something like that) it just happens. But when the cancer rate is 50% and has increased sharply as we’ve moved away from eating natural foods and have increased the toxicity in our lives, it’s pretty clear what’s going on. We don’t need to fund a bunch of expensive studies to prove it when we have common sense. I mean…do you even realize how serious it is when 50% of people will have cancer in their lifetimes? That’s bad!
So, no, I don’t agree with you. At all. I stand by what I said.
Totally agree with you Kate!
So if your child was diagnosed with cancer? Would you not give them chemo?
I agree, Sarah! Thank you for putting the other side out there! I could go on and on, but you said it very well.
Sarah,
I had 3 people in my family who had cancer, my aunt, great-grandma and my mother. Both my mom and my aunt refused medical treatments and decided to go the alternative way and both beat cancer. When my mom’s diagnosis (skin cancer) came in the doctor actually started laughing, yes laughing non stop saying she wont go anywhere now. For many years that laughter rang in her ears. When she came back a year later that same doctor could not believe his own eyes. Cancer was gone. She never told him what she did.
I do believe that if your time came no amount of alternative care, chemo or any other treatments will help.
My grandfather died of leukemia in 1995. Several of my uncles have also battled some form of cancer. My brother developed a large brain tumor (non-cancerous) when he was 19. My best friend’s mother was diagnosed with breast cancer several years ago. I am familiar with holistic treatments, chemotherapy, radiation, and everything else that goes along with these diseases. For myself, it is not the question of whether or not chemotherapy or holistic cancer treatments are effective. I believe they both have been proven to be effective for certain people. However, I do agree with Kate and would rather not give my money to these cancer organizations that are so heavily influenced by Big Pharma and the FDA. I believe in these organizations’ mission statements, but do not believe that they are on a quest to find a true cure. Several of the drugs given in chemotherapy today are those that were invented back in the 70′s and 80′s. If we have funded all this money to the cancer society and foundations for the sole purpose of finding a cure and making progress in the treatment of cancer, then why are we still using drugs that were approved by the FDA back in 1987? Why haven’t we discovered a cancer treatment without all of the negative side effects. Well, actually, we have. Rather, Dr. Burzynski has. Look up the movie, “Burzynski, The Movie.” It is now available on netflix. It is the disturbing tale of this wonderful doctor who has made a huge discovery in the treatment of cancer, yet has been bullied by the FDA for almost three decades now. Yes, that is correct. He discovered and patented these proteins called Antineoplastons. They have been proven effective to treat cancer, especially childhood brainstem glioma, which has been noted as an incurable form of terminal cancer. However, this form of treatment has been kept from the general public because Big Pharma and the FDA are not happy with an individual owning the right to manufacture and sell this medicine to the open market. Why? Because the pharmaceutical industry will not be able to dip her greedy fingers in this medicine’s profits. It is unfortunate that the industry has taken control of so many aspects of our lives. I would like to support cancer organizations and foundations, however, I know that they are heavily impacted by the national cancer associations that have taken many questionable actions in the case against Dr. Burzynski, and that is unsettling for me.
Kate, thank you for this post. I have felt this way ever since reading Nourishing Traditions, but felt like a heretic among my friends, all of whom “Race for the Cure” and ask for donations each year. I just quietly decline and keep my opinions to myself. However, you have given me the courage to share what I’ve learned about cancer prevention if someone ever questions my decision.
A subject with multiple issues, concerns, fears and agendas. Personally, I believe in giving directly to research institutes not to organizations that are a layer between you, the donor, and the research itself. I do have several self-interests here – I work for a nonprofit medical research institute that does basic biomedical research, including for cancer. One thing I’ve learned since working here (since 2004) is that by first studying what healthy looks like (healthy cells, organs, genes, etc), then scientists can truly learn and understand about the non healthy ones – because good diagnostics is the first key. Next, the human body is very complex and wonderfully made, a true gift from God. The interdependence is amazing, so a narrow, simple answer usually doesn’t exist. The best approach in research is usually multifold – diagnostics, treatments and, hopefully, cures for those with disease and then prevention for others. All deserve the best research and treatment possible.
At my institute, we’re fortunate as 100% of all money donated goes directly to research; there is a trust that pays for all admin cost. Paying for the best and brightest is worth it. The scientists deserve to be well compensated (not going to argue amounts), but are primarily motivated by making a positive difference.
Sadly, the average Rx takes 15 years and over $800 million dollars to go from bench to bedside. The constant balance is between safety and effectiveness. My mother’s life was saved by having an annual mammogram, but the chemo definitely had negative side effects. Of course, prevention is key, but let us not overlook those for whom prevention is too late.
Regarding the marketing issue – I repeat, more bang is received for your buck if you can / will donate directly to the organization that actually does the research. But I appreciate the increased awareness such marketing brings. Reminds me of all those school fundraisers – I prefer to donate time/money directly rather than adding clutter to my home. But in a world of billions of individuals, it takes more than one approach and one option.
It’s so refreshing to hear your viewpoint on this! Unfortunately most people have their heads in the sand.
It has been bugging me how the “Race for the Cure” has grown and over the years how much money have they raised and yet to find a cure. And how about finding prevention instead of a cure. I know many women who have gone through the torment of cancer treatment and it is horrible. There has to be a better way such as Gerson Miracle.
I get so upset every october with the stupid facebook status. How does displaying my bra color help cure cancer anyway?
No, I do not support cure cancer foundations either.
As I watched DH go through surgery for throat cancer (tumor was choking him to death) and end up with a feeding tube, and refuse chemo and radiation, I recalled the many we have known who either died from the treatment (NOT alternative!) or died anyway, suffering greatly through the treatment. I agree with this article completely; if you do real research into the organizations that are “search for the cure” you will see bloated salaries; no, we don’t need to pay the best and the brightest! DH is righting the cancer using alternative methods on his own. I have seen with my own eyes that the cut, poison, and burn philosophy of so-called modern medicine is truly barbaric. It creates more suffering than cures if you look at actual statistics – not the inflated stats they want you to see.
As I watched DH go through surgery for throat cancer (tumor was choking him to death) and end up with a feeding tube, and refuse chemo and radiation, I recalled the many we have known (including my mother and mother-in-law) who either died from the treatment (NOT alternative!) or died anyway, suffering greatly through the treatment. I agree with this article completely; if you do real research into the organizations that are “search for the cure” you will see bloated salaries; no, we don’t need to pay the best and the brightest! DH is righting the cancer using alternative methods on his own. I have seen with my own eyes that the cut, poison, and burn philosophy of so-called modern medicine is truly barbaric. It creates more suffering than cures if you look at actual statistics – not the inflated stats they want you to see. Dr. Burzynski has done more to advance a cure for cancer than any of the organizations and research facilities and Big Pharma has ever done! Just follow the money and you will get your eyes opened.
I don’t want to be rude, but I happen to agree with Sarah. Without knowing the science it is a dramatic statement to say chemo is poison and that genetic studies are negatively impacting diagnosis. I’ve been in neuroscience research for a long time (PhD from University of Kentucky) and I’ll be honest that while I don’t outright trust Big Pharma, I do know the science is not that black and white.
Prevention may be key for a majority in terms of better foods etc being placed in our body, but there are more factors in play. How much a whole foods diet influences genetics isn’t known. So while I agree Americans have a problem with over medication, and over processed unhealthy foods, to lump all medical treatments in with that is irresponsible.
I understand the frustration with the salaries, however, and agree wholeheartedly. But I would apply this to a lot more people than just this charity.
All in all, I realize that chemo is there to induce apoptosis and cannot differentiate between healthy and cancerous cells, but that doesn’t mean that it is an worthless treatment. It really means we need to find better more precise treatments, while encouraging a new generation in prevention techniques. Because when you use a blanket statement such as these are poison, or there are no cures , it stops research cold. It promotes an attitude of why investigate? If we are that black and white, we will stagnate, never developing or learning more….and that hurts everyone.
My apologies, if I was too harsh. I do love whole food diets and the people promoting them. You all help a lot of people, but in this case I had to say my peace. Best wishes to you and your family!
I agree with you about discrediting certain agencies because of how they spend their money. “Race for the Cure” consistently uses pictures of children in their advertising but gives less than 1% of their research money toward childhood cancer. I also agree with you about whole foods preventing cancer. However, a reality to accept is that whole foods will not TOTALLY prevent cancer. It is in our environment. It is in our soil and air. My 3 year-old had tumors on both kidneys, one of which was large enough to fill her right side. Babies are diagnosed with cancer on a regular basis. If you map out the prevalent areas that childhood cancer occur, which has been done, it is the agricultural heart of the country. We eat organic, we drink filtered water, I breastfeed, but while I was pregnant my neighbors may have sprayed their yard with pesticide…. who knows? The Childrens Oncology Group Foundation money goes directly to the network of over 100 hospitals that develops cures. Chemo is poison. I know this first-hand. But, you ask any of us childhood cancer parents, we would all rather have our child with peripheral neuropathy, with some learning problems, with some digestive problems, than NOT HAVE OUR CHILD. My daughter runs and climbs and draws pictures like any other 1st grader; it’s just taken some PT and OT to get her there. I have cursed the nerve damage that Vincristine left her with, but I embrace the fact that it was available to save her life. Research will lead to better cures for children; they are not little adults, but we give them adult chemo treatments. Childhood cancer needs research money and needs your support.
Hi
I just followed this recommendation “Look up the movie, “Burzynski, The Movie.” It is now available on netflix” and watched the movie. Amazing. Mashallah its a wonderful thing and though i worked in as a cancer researcher in a biotech company (genetrix – gone now), as well as at large institutes (dana farber) and medical unis (harvard med and boston med), i NEVER ever heard about this, not even a whisper.
Everyone and everywhere we were racing to find the cure and no one ever mentioned or alluded to the existence of this cure which was working (25+% complete recovery rate, with no side effects or future problems!).
I used to fund cancer research and stopped for various reasons, the main one being that no one seems really interested in the cure, they just seem interested in the search for the cure, the discover aspect, but no cure seemed forthcoming and when a potential cure comes up, its funding dries up, its tossed out of the window as quacky or implausible or whatever, or more recently (read 5 years ago now), it gets clogged up with beurocracy and red tape that may take years if not decades to untangle.
I also want to say that I dont think a healthy diet is the answer for all. I think it definately helps and that less people would ever end up with cancer if we all took care of our bodies properly inshallah (God willing). I also think there are a lot of contributing factors to the development of cancer, from not eating right, eating overly processed and genetically modified foods, not getting enough physical activity, not getting enough physical stimulation and also not enough variety of physical stimulations. i mean nowadays, we have to force ourselves to be active and a person can spend the whole day being a couch potato or extremely sedentary easily.
I think if there was a way to support the type of research and work people like dr. Burzynsky is doing, that’d be great. His stuff works mashallah so it should be further funded, even if we dont get tax deduction. It would be voting with our dollar and maybe, it will be like the case of organic food, it took a while but you now see it at supermarkets.
Sorry if its long and rambly, its almost midnight here. Thanks for this thought provoking article and thanks for the responses, especially the guest who wrote about the movie. I have learned something new today and that is always a blessing from the One Most High
Thanks for finally saying what I think when I see my well meaning good hearted friends support these cancer foundations. I never have the balls to say it though. BUT I will share this article
Oh, I’m glad someone finally had the words that I’ve been searching for. My dad was diagnosed with lung cancer, and him and mom had to move in with my husband and myself. When I took my dad to his first radiation appointment, they gave him such a harsh treatment that his skin literally peeled and flaked off and fell to the floor, WHILE he was in the middle of the treatment. I think it really scared him, it sure scared me. After the treatment was done, (it only took 20 mins) I overheard the technician bragging to the resident that he just “scored another $8,500.00 for a 20 minute burn session.” I am so grateful that my dad never had to hear that, it broke my heart. No matter if you decide to treat cancer with Prescription drugs, Chemo, Radiation or Alternative or Homeopathic ways, cancer is incredibly expensive. It really frustrates me that the cancer industry pulls in so much cash from fundraising and donations. There are families financially struggling because CANCER IS EXPENSIVE, and the gov`t isn`t in any hurry to help you pay rent or buy groceries. We try to help cancer patients with our extra money, not donate it to the research industry.
Thank you for posting this!! In middle/high school, I was involved in Relay For Life for about 4 years. The only reason being, I had friends in it. It sounded all cool, you know, “trying to find a cure for cancer…”
A couple years ago then, my mom told me this same thing: she doesn’t support the cure cancer foundations. She told me a lot of these same reasons, and I am so glad she said something. I totally agree with what you’re saying! It’s sad how these foundations came to be… there are so many good people out there who think that they’re helping out, but really, do not know the truth about these foundations.
I’m going to share this post with my mom – cool to know that there are many others who believe the same!!
I used to be a Zumba instructor and helped out with a “Party in Pink” which was for Komen. I was horrified when I found out that Planned Parenthood was using even a little bit of the money they were given by Komen for abortions, but then I found out that Komen was mismanaging money themselves. My wife sent me here and I just have to say, thanks for the info! I believe a lot of what you said and my family has used Dr. Schulzes products (herbdoc.com) for many years now. Problem is we can’t help the environment we’re in, but we can watch what we eat, exercise, and take supplements to make sure our body gets the nutrients it needs to fight off anything on it’s own.
Thanks again for this article!
I am presently fighting cancer…an aggressive form of lymphoma. I appreciate the posts that defend the use of chemotherapy/radiation. Quite frankly, they saved my life. While I understand that it must be difficult to watch a loved one suffer through the side effects of chemotherapy, please don’t make such strong comments unless you’ve been there. It is awful. It is the worst thing I’ve ever been through in my life. But I had a tumor in my chest wrapped around my trachea, stuck to the side of a lung, wrapped around a major blood vessel, tucked in behind my aorta, and crushing some important vessels in my chest. I was a week away ( or so) from dying. Chemotherapy saved my life. I am not out of the woods yet…and I’ve been doing this for 6 months. But it really bothers me to hear people pass judgement on certain treatments. If I had the time, I would have tried a more holistic approach. However, holistic approaches don’t have many statistics to back them up…whereby chemotherapy does. When you have cancer…will you chose something that you don’t really know whether it will kill your cancer cells…or will you go with something that gives you a 70%chance of being cured? I chose the 70%chance.
Terri-Lynne, you are so right. Walk a mile in someone else’s shoes before passing judgement.
I took care of my mama while cancer ravaged her body. When faced with losing your own life or that of a loved one (esp. Mama), whatever it takes becomes your motto. Best of luck to you and I hope you are doing GREAT!
Joy
I totally agree. Our local grocery store is involved in a campaign to raise money for a local children’s cancer research hospital. They have started looking at me funny every time I say “no thank you” but, like you, I cringe internally.
Chemotherapy is so nasty and rarely works. When a cancer patient that has had chemo stops eating a SAD and begins to juice and eat raw, their bodies throw off the toxins. It can be so harsh as to *actually make the paint in their bedrooms peel!
Great blog. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and expertise with us.
*According to Charlotte Gerson of the Gerson Institute
I like Terri-Lynne am fighting Cancer; I was diagnosised having Colon Cancer and needed chemo and radiation. I became very informed about side effects and survival rates. I was astonish My procedure of radiation for 28 treatments, surgery and a total of 8 months chemo gave me a survival rate of 85-90% as compared 15% for no chemo and no radiation and just surgery . Yes I believe there is a misuse of funds but there also is a massive amount that does go to the right places also. Now getting to your assumptions about these studies that you quote can you please post them? The wonderful thing about the internet is there is so much info out there for people to make informed decision that also is a big problem when this info doesn’t come with the facts. Your actuations go against all studies I have read? It would be almost criminal if someone made a decision base on someone’s personal ideology instead of facts.
I agree with you, Kate, on all aspects. I feel Big Pharma is all about making money on “cures” and not about truly curing. As well as these cancer cure institutes. If cancer could be cured with out Big Pharma’s big medicines of if they did find the magic bullet… they would go out of business. Visit Angelaharris.com. She was pregnant and given 3 months to live, but cured herself of stage 4 cancer using herbs. She had bulging tumors you could see and she cured herself AND saved her baby, which the doctors told her she needed to abort so she could save herself. She said NO. Her daughter is now a healthy adult and Angela is thriving. Herbs are foods, not quackery. My mother-in-law died of stage 4 colon cancer 6 years ago. Chemo gave her 11 months more and I sometimes wonder had she chosen whole foods and juicing if she’d still be with us today. She wanted to cure herself with faith and nutrition, but unfortunately, she felt pressured to use conventional methods and they put fear in her if she didn’t use chemo. I wish that choices were given in the doctor’s office/hospitals for all methods and patients views on curing themselves taken into consideration more, instead of given chemo and radiation as the ONLY choice. Patients are usually viewed as inept and “misinformed.” If I am ever diagnosed with cancer, I will find the strength to not be bullied into conventional methods and follow in Angela Harris’ footsteps. Are there some cancers that may need alternative AND conventional methods to cure the patient, probably. But, for Big Pharma to repress cures they can’t make money off of is unacceptable and people HAVE cured themselves with faith and nutrition… and faith and nutrition I feel is the first choice, surgery, chemo and radiation the VERY LAST!
My dad watched, in the 50s, as America was swept with polio. His little 3yr old cousin got it, and, being so young and so little, she was unable to fight it. She died 3 days before her 4th birthday. She was near the end of an epidemic that lasted almost 10yrs, and had ‘research foundations’ popping up left and right to ‘find a cure’. It wasn’t until the American people became disillusioned with them and stopped donating money that a CURE was found. The vaccination for polio was discovered TEN YEARS before they started production of it, simply because it was not a financial advantage to the foundations to ‘find a cure’.
My dad remembers a news commentary show (something like Nightline, tho he can’t remember what show it was) doing a segment on the corruption and misuse of money involved in the ‘research foundations’, and many people stopped donating money. Within MONTHS the vaccine went into mass production.
I do not support ANY type of medical research. Cancer. Heart research. Autism. ANY of the foundations we are bombarded with on a daily basis. Because I believe they already HAVE cures for these things. They already HAVE what Americans and the rest of the world need to know. But as long as we are giving them money, and they are getting rich making 500k/yr + salaries, why would they EVER kill the goose that is laying so many golden eggs?!? It is only when we stop handing them MONEY and start handing them DEMANDS that we will EVER see a cure.
Uh, vaccines didn’t wipe out polio….
Cancer is a money making business. There are proven alternative treatments that are much less expensive than chemo and do not have the aweful side effects. Unfortunately these treatments have been rejected by the FDA and AMA because they are not profitable. It sounds crazy, but it’s true. Read “Reclaiming Our Health” by John Robbins.
Yes, there are some forms of cancer that can be successfully treated with chemo and radiation drugs, but there are many cancers that can be treated with diet and other methods that do not destroy your body in the process.
Our country is so reliant on drugs to fix all our medical problems. But most common diseases/sickness (including heart disease, diabetes, and YES, some forms of CANCER) can be PREVENTED by eating a healthy, whole foods based diet. Just look at all the crap we are putting into our bodies – fast food, soda, processed sugars, preservatives, candy. No wonder cancer rates have skyrocketted over the past few decades.
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Talking about screenings. I do Rely for Life because a dear friend died of breast cancer. She was 65 when she died three years ago. She had never been screened found a lump and did nothing. Nine months later she did go see a Dr in June. By then she had tumors all over and died 6 months later. I don’t know anything about my dads side so I get one every year just in case I miss finding it. If a dr told me without treatment I had 6 weeks I’d go for it and fight. If it was one lump caught in time and removed sure I’d go the natural way first. My thing is making sure every woman/teen can get it even if they have no ins. so they won’t die like my friend. I did my term paper in high school on non-Hoskins limp… Can’t spell it Because I had a friend with it
I agree with you 100%! If they are trying to raise $$ for research, why are they getting paid so much!
I absolutely wholeheartedly agree! My daughter was horrified the other day when the Walmart cashier asked me if I wanted to donate to the American Cancer Society and I said “no, thank you.” Yes, we have had many cases of cancer in my family and I myself had melanoma, but these foundations are not helping. Can you imagine the billions of dollars that have been raised over the years, and where has it gotten us? Cancer treatments are a huge business – do you think they want to kill this cash cow? The vast majority of cancers are preventable and are diet and lifestyle-related. I do support The Cancer Project, which promotes healthy diet and educates people in that regard. And there are natural cancer cures, one notable and apparently highly successful one being the Budwig Diet developed by Dr. Johanna Budwig. I know how frightening it can be to get that diagnosis, and the panic and desperation that you feel, and I don’t condemn anyone for their personal choices. But do change your diet and lifestyle now to minimize your risks, do take a deep breath and prayerfully consider your alternatives if you are faced with a cancer diagnosis (or any other diagnosis, for that matter), and do realize that you can do natural treatments with those your doctor recommends (after of course discussing it with your physician).
Please do not link cancer only to nutrition. It is also very emotional and spiritual which is why the whole reasoning why cancer preexisted our times and goes as far as ancient Greece where even Hippocrates noted it, is not only due to nutrition. The body is not just made up of nutrition. It is made up of an emotional center. And a spiritual center. A hormone center. So there are many variables why cancer comes up in a body.
@Preeti Menon
Of course. But today, a main reason why people aren’t healthy and get these conditions and sicknesses (diabetes, cancer, heart disease, etc) is because of their lifestyle, in which diet contributes the most these days. But i do agree. Stress and stuff can be a factor also
how sickening and offending. how much more greed can come out of industries that are supposed to be for the people?
first the food industry, now our own non-profit organizations.
i find the fact that the cancer organization that partnered with kfc you were talking about is just … corruption.
Agreed! Thank you for being brave enough to share your thoughts…I thought I was alone in feeling this way. After “racing for the cure” for several years, my father learned he had stage 4 bone cancer and was given a few months to live – that was two years ago. He initially took his chances with chemo as the doctors convinced him that was the ONLY way he’d survive a few months. However, the chemo began killing him…after only a few rounds, he had multiple strokes and had to make the choice to die from chemo, or die from cancer. He chose instead to change his life style…followed the China Study approach and removed stress from his life. Two years later, you would NEVER know he was sick AT ALL. It’s like watching a walking miracle. His blood levels are all healthier than they’ve been EVER and his Oncologist is literally scratching his head, totally befuddled. His drastic turn-around opened my families eyes to many documentaries, nutritional healing sites and has wisened us up. I agree with Preeti – that it is more than just nutritious food…that hormones, emotional well being, and spiritual health need to be taken in to consideration…although I think nutrition plays a big part of hormonal and emotional health. I can’t say chemo should never be used…honestly, I’m not educated or knowledgable enough to make that bold of a statement. However, I think in many cases nutrition can be used as a way to prevent cancer and even cure it. Thanks for your post!
Cancer is as old as human history. It has been proven that ancient Egyptians had suffered from cancer. I had many relatives that had cancer and had lost the battle, and I’m still skeptical about cancer treatments. I really don’t care too much about foundations that are claiming to be looking for a cure for cancer, because there is really no such thing.
Totally agree!
Maybe you need to research St. Baldricks.
And then maybe ask my daughter how she feels that she will never meet her father because cancer took him from us when I was four months pregnant. And after that, ask me how I feel everyday looking at my daughter and seeing his face.
No, I do not support Susan G. Komen. My support goes to St. Judes and St. Baldricks (three year head shavee right here). What do you want someone with cancer to do? What do you want a mom to do? Sit back and watch their child die because chemo can be dangerous or radiation can be dangerous. Hope to God the whole foods they are eating and the herbs they take may magically cure their child? Until you have been in those shoes, have had to watch a loved one take their last breath, have to figure out how to tell your child she never gets to meet her daddy because of cancer, then you can talk about how you can cure cancer with a more natural approach. And maybe if you have some good idea, why don’t you try curing cancer or preventing it?
Hi Caitlin,
I’m sorry for your experience. I cannot imagine how hard it must have been to lose your husband, especially while pregnant.
I’m not a doctor so no, I’m not out there curing or preventing cancer. I’m just spreading a message of another way. I haven’t had a family member go through this, but I have a close friend who was diagnosed with fairly invasive cancer a few weeks ago. She and I will be talking about her story and our thoughts on this matter in a few months. However, I have to say that my feelings about this have not changed…and she agrees with me too.
Thank you for the wonderful article Kate, I could not agree more. My mother died some 25 years ago from cancer- even though she was considered a “survivor” because she lingered with cancer for over eight years, I have been in the closet on my opinion and convictions on what conventional medicine has not done and most likely may never do, and that is cure cancer. I have felt misunderstood for not jumping on the pink ribbon caner cure wagon, you have articulated many things that I have’t been able to express, thank you again, I’m sharing this with loved ones.
Thank you for this post. My dad was diagnosed with three forms of Lymphoma in 2009. The doctors told him that one could be cured with chemo, but the others were incurable, but slow acting. My parents decided they would fight it. After a lot of soul-searching, they changed their diet 100%. No more eating out 4x/week, no more steaks, sugars and ice cream. They started eating whole, healthy foods. My dad went ahead with the chemo. A year later the cancer was back, and he did radiation. Last year they went in to see if the the radiation had worked and the doctors couldn’t believe it: all three types of lymphoma the two kinds they said were incurable) were gone. My dad is now healthier than he was in 2008. Another benefit is that my mom lost 50 lbs and has never felt better.
Because of this, both my mom and I have a hard time with “support the cure” cancer fund. We both think the cure has been found! And, sadly, hidden from the public. We’re grateful for the wonderful doctors and nurses my dad worked with, but we really believe he was cured because of his lifestyle changes, not their medicine.
Oh this tears my heart out. This could have been the story of my father in law…he wasn’t willing to change his diet…chemo killed him. One injection was all it took. He was whisked to the ICU and we never saw him awake again. He passed 3 days later. His body couldn’t handle the poison.
I know had he been committed he could have fought it and been with us today. 
I worked at the American Cancer Society in Honolulu as a temp years ago…all the “top execs” there drove brand new Mercedes and Porches. I’m guessing they were paid disgustingly well!
A few years ago I was mortified when my Mother pointed to a key chain I had purchased and told me she did not support the whole Pink Ribbon campaign. I honestly thought she was bonkers. Since then my eyes have been opened and I have to say I agree 100%. Why do we push mammograms as early detection tools when a tumor has to have grown for 10 years in order for it to be large enough to show up? Not to mention the procedure can cause more Cancer itself. I learned about thermography a few months ago, but I have never heard it mentioned by mainstream doctors. Thermography can detect tumors at two years of growth and it is non evasive and does not cause additional Cancer (that I am aware of). And for those who get up in arms because they have had loved ones die, my entire family except my Mom, brother and I have died from Cancer. I wish I knew then what I knew now because I would have convinced them to try to look into alternative treatments.
Totally agree. I have thought this way for years.
I agree with you…I do….but I’ve worked in paediatric oncology and you try telling a mother whose just been told her 4 year old has cancer to take the risk exploring what it is essentially ‘alternative’ and unproven. In absolute fear that mother will almost always choose the conventional way first…and I don’t blame them. A friend was recently diagnosed with breast cancer same age as me – 30 and with 2 young kids. She wanted to explore the alternative route but said she was just desperate to NOT DIE and would follow doctors orders in absolute desperation. She is exploring complimentary medicine however…vitamin c infusions etc…to help deal with the effects of the chemo. So although I totally agree with everything when I see the desperation of people fighting this disease I totally understand why they take the conventional route.
Sadly this is true because FEAR takes over. And I don’t know, I might be the same in that situation. You almost lose your ability to rationally think and need someone to just tell you what to do. But that’s the sad part…because the ONLY things they tell you to do are the MOST BARBARIC of treatments! In all our medical technology and we resort to injecting venom to cure? It doesn’t even make sense. But I do totally get what you are saying but that just shows in a sense how brainwashed we have all been and how blinded to the real truth! There ARE other ways out there. Good ways. Ways that truly DO cure. Do they all work 100% of the time? No, of course not there are just too many other factors out there and we live in a toxic world. But the rate of success of many natural treatments is much higher even than that of chemo! It’s crazy! So, that said, we all need to take a stand and expose the truth together so that maybe, decades from now, things will look much much different.
I just get a kick out of messing with people (especially checkers at grocery stores) who ask me “Would you like to support breast cancer/MS/etc. by purchasing” this or that. Why exactly would I want to _support_ these diseases? When someone takes the time to think about what they’re saying, I will at least consider their request, but I only very rarely actually take them up on it.
I also hate “awareness” campaigns. Seriously…..is there someone in the US who doesn’t know that breast cancer exists or that it’s bad? Aren’t there better ways to spend your money and time? The ones that drive me the craziest are the Facebook ones “tell us where your purse is and what color your bra is, but DON’T TELL ANYONE WHAT YOU’RE TALKING ABOUT OR WHY.” What freaking good does that do? It doesn’t even “raise awareness!” Arg…..but it makes people “feel like they’re doing something” and that’s really all that matters.
Oh my gosh that facebook crap drives me nuts too!!!!!!!
Agree, but I am sad, because my very healthy 40 year old, friend died from breast cancer, and went the natural route. She was a vegetarian who ate very healthy, and sought to do natural measures to cure cancer, the hallelujah diet, and other things, but it spread and she passed less than a year ago. What then? I wish I could agree that diet and health could prevent or heal all cancer, but that doesn’t seem true. Maybe just many cancers?
It is really hard to say. Everyone’s path is going to look different. And health is so…misunderstood these days. It’s impossible to say what happened in any particular case, but to a couple of people I’ve talked to, they know that there was a toxic build up from stress, poor eating habits (even in those who usually tried to do well), and other issues that contributed to cancer. Often times I think we are oblivious to these. And sometimes they are environmental and beyond our control. It’s impossible to say for any individual, but some form of this is usually true. And we can’t always, unfortunately, overcome it.
I am reading a book right now called The Healing Code and in this book the doctors talk about stress being the number one reason why people cannot get well. Even after they’ve gone through chemo and the cancer is gone the only way their body will heal is if some how their immune system kicks in, takes over and fights to complete the healing process. However, if there is stress, the immune system is compromised and will not function. This books walks the readers through steps to alleviate stress. The research they have done is amazing as well as the testimonies. I would encourage you to read this book. The Healing Code by Dr. Alex Loyd and Dr. Ben Johnson.
You must not know anyone who has had breast cancer. I have four women who are very close to me who have fought and conquered breast cancer. And they beat it using the “poison” that you mention here. Sometimes you have to choose the lesser of two evils. I can not speak for all cancer organizations, but I believe in Susan G. Komen, and I think you have very flippantly dismissed them. Many of these organizations do promote healthy lifestyles, and the salaries do not seem outrageous to me in this economy. Millions are sill going toward research – 86 percent of what is brought in. A world-wide company does need staff. I hope you never get breast cancer, but if you do, I am sure you will chane your opinion of cancer research and treatment.
Yes, I do. One of my good friends was diagnosed with breast cancer this past spring. I watched what she went through. I still stand by what I said. And you know what? So does she. She’s a breast cancer survivor who does not believe in these organizations. So your generalization that I only think this because I’ve in no way been touched by cancer is false. Not everyone who has cancer or who has a close friend/family member with cancer is going to make the same choices…or support these organizations. I maintain that the salaries ARE outrageous, and last I checked, it wasn’t anything like 86% going to research. And that “research” is only for the chemical treatments…never alternative options. So I completely stand by what I said: I don’t support these foundations.
This was AWESOME. I’m so tired of people’s ignorance and victim mentality when it comes to cancer (and other illnesses for that matter). It’s much easier to blame fate than take responsibility for your lifestyle choices.
For all we know, the government or some private organization could have already found the cure, but they kept it secret so the cure is only available within their special group, while milking the poor people into thinking they still need our money to find the cure.
Would be awesome if we can somehow put a tracker on our money when we donate, and see where it goes? If its really for the research of cancer, and I am fully supportive.
I couldn’t have said it better!!!!! Thank you for this post and this research.
I agree 100%. As far as natural cures to check out definitely start with these: Budwig (budwig-videos on facebook is excellent), Gerson, Laetrille therapy and the use of baking soda and an alkaline diet. It is so amazing how much information is out there! It’s intriguing. And sad that it’s not mainstream. I do plan on running a marathon that supports one of these foundations…only because it’s one I enjoy and love and have done in the past…but this past year I have learned so much and plan on using that race to get the truth out there. My shirt will be full of the true cures that already exist so that passerbys perhaps get a glimpse and can go home later and see for themselves. If you have ideas on this….do let me know! We need to get this info out there. It’s too important not to and swiftly becoming truly a matter of life and death.
First, let me say that my dad died of stomach cancer at the age of 71. He was gone a month after the diagnosis, so there was no time for chemo or radiation. With that being said, I do NOT support “cancer cure” foundations. Seriously, I truly believe there already is a cure for cancer. Revealing the cure would spur a dramatic enonomic change. Hospitals, doctors, technicians, reseachers, and the list goes on, would be put out of business. Instead, thousands of people die from cancer, not to mention the suffering – physically, mentally, emotionally and financially. It’s unlikely, but I would rather see the money go to the individuals who really need it! After all, we can put people on the moon, have space stations, etc. – don’t you think we would have found a cure by now with all the technology available to us today?